Yasmin Dosage/Direction for Use

Tablets must be taken in the order directed on the package every day at about the same time. The patient may begin using YASMIN (drospirenone and ethinylestradiol) on Day 1 of her menstrual cycle (ie, the first day of menstrual flow), on Day 5, or on the first Sunday after her period begins. If the patient's period begins on Sunday, she should start that same day. If YASMIN tablets are taken later than Day 1 when first starting medication, an additional (barrier) method of birth control is recommended for the first seven days of use.
One hormone-containing yellow tablet is to be taken daily for 21 consecutive days. Tablets are then discontinued for 7 consecutive days. Withdrawal bleeding usually occurs within 2 to 3 days following discontinuation.
The patient begins each subsequent course of YASMIN tablets on the same day of the week that she began her first course. She begins taking her next course on the 8th day after discontinuation, regardless of whether or not withdrawal bleeding is still in progress.
Management of Missed Tablets: The patient should be instructed to use the following chart if she misses one or more of her birth control pills. She should be told to match the number of tablets missed with the appropriate starting time for her dosing regimen. The risk of pregnancy increases with each hormone-containing yellow tablet missed. (See Table 7.)

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Special Notes on Administration: Switching from another combined hormonal contraceptive (combined oral contraceptive (COC), vaginal ring, or transdermal patch): The patient should start YASMIN on the day she would normally start her next pack of combined oral contraceptive. In case a vaginal ring or transdermal patch has been used, the woman should start using YASMIN preferably on the day of removal, but at the latest when the next application would have been due.
Switching from a progestogen-only method (mini-pill, injection) or from a Progestogen-releasing Intrauterine System (IUS): The patient may switch from the mini-pill to YASMIN on any day of her cycle. Patients using a progestogen injection should start YASMIN on the day the next injection is due. Patients using an IUS should start YASMIN on the day the IUS is removed. In all cases, the patient should be advised to use an additional (barrier) method for the first 7 days of YASMIN use.
Following first trimester abortion: The patient may start using YASMIN immediately. When doing so, she need not take additional contraceptive measures.
Following delivery or second trimester abortion: Patients should be advised to start YASMIN on Day 21 to 28 after delivery or second trimester abortion, after consulting with their physician. When starting later, the patient should be advised to use an additional (barrier) method for the first seven days of YASMIN use. However, if intercourse has already occurred, pregnancy should be excluded before the actual start of use or the woman should be advised to wait for her next menstrual period prior to starting YASMIN. When the tablets are administered in the postpartum period, the increased risk of thromboembolic disease associated with the postpartum period must be considered.
Withdrawal / Breakthrough bleeding: Withdrawal bleeding usually occurs within 3 days following the last hormone-containing yellow tablet. If spotting or breakthrough bleeding occurs while taking YASMIN, the patient should be instructed to continue taking YASMIN as instructed and by the regimen described previously. She should be instructed that this type of bleeding is usually transient and without significance; however, if the bleeding is persistent or prolonged, the patient should be advised to consult her physician.
Although the occurrence of pregnancy is unlikely if YASMIN is taken according to directions, if withdrawal bleeding does not occur, the possibility of pregnancy must be considered. If the patient has not adhered to the prescribed dosing schedule (missed one or more hormone-containing tablets or started taking them on a day later than she should have), the probability of pregnancy should be considered at the time of the first missed period and appropriate diagnostic measures taken before the medication is resumed. If the patient has adhered to the prescribed regimen and misses two consecutive periods, pregnancy should be ruled out before continuing the contraceptive regimen.
Advice in case of vomiting: If vomiting occurs within 3 to 4 hours after a tablet is taken, absorption may not be complete. In such an event, the advice concerning management of missed tablets is applicable.