Proper Use

Drug information provided by: IBM Micromedex

It is very important that you use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

To make using oral contraceptives as safe and reliable as possible, you should understand how and when to take them and what effects may be expected.

This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

This medicine is available in blister packs. Each blister pack contains 28 tablets with different colors that need to be taken in the same order as directed on the blister pack.

When you begin using this medicine, your body will require at least 7 days to adjust before a pregnancy will be prevented. Use a second form of contraception (eg, condom, spermicide, or diaphragm) for the first 7 days of your first cycle of pills.

Take this medicine at the same time each day, after the evening meal or at bedtime. You may take this medicine with or without food.

Do not skip or delay taking your pill by more than 24 hours. If you miss a dose, you could get pregnant. Ask your doctor for ways to help you remember to take your pills or about using another method of birth control.

You may have light bleeding or spotting when you first take the pill.

You may feel sick or nauseous, especially during the first few months that you take this medicine. If your nausea is continuous and does not go away, call your doctor.

If you vomit or have diarrhea within 3 to 4 hours of taking this medicine, treat this as a missed dose and follow the instructions in the patient leaflet or call your doctor.

If you are switching from a combination hormonal method (eg, another pill, patch, vaginal ring) to using Yasmin® or Yaz®, take the medicine on the day you would have usually taken your next pill If you do not start your period, see your doctor for a pregnancy test. If you have used a vaginal ring or patch, take the pill on the day the ring or patch is removed. You must also use a second method of birth control (eg, condom, diaphragm, spermicide) for the first 7 days you take this medicine.

If you are switching from a progestin-only method (eg, progestin-only pill, implant, injection, intrauterine system) to using Yasmin® or Yaz®, take the medicine on the day you would have taken your next progestin-only pill, or on the day your implant or IUD is removed, or on the day you would have your next injection. You must also use a second method of birth control (eg, condom, diaphragm, spermicide) for the first 7 days you take this medicine.

If you have a miscarriage or abortion after the second trimester or if you gave birth and chose not to breastfeed, you may start using this medicine after 4 weeks to prevent the risk of having blood clots.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

Your doctor may ask you to begin your dose on the first day of your menstrual period (called Day 1 start) or on the first Sunday after your menstrual period starts (called Sunday start). When you begin on a certain day it is important that you follow that schedule, even if you miss a dose. Do not change your schedule on your own. If the schedule that you use is not convenient, check with your doctor about changing it. For a Sunday start, you need to use another form of birth control (eg, condom, diaphragm, spermicide) for the first 7 days.

You should begin your next and all subsequent 28-day regimens of therapy on the same day of the week as the first regimen began and follow the same schedule.

  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • For contraception (to prevent pregnancy), PMDD, or acne:
      • Adults and teenagers—
        • Yasmin®: One yellow tablet (active) taken at the same time each day for 21 consecutive days followed by one white (inert) tablet daily for 7 days per menstrual cycle.
        • Yaz®: One pink tablet (active) taken at the same time each day for 24 consecutive days followed by one white (inert) tablet daily for 4 days per menstrual cycle.
        • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

  • If you miss one yellow pill: Take the pill as soon as possible and take the next pill at your regular schedule.
  • If you miss two yellow pills in week 1 or 2: Take the two pills as soon as possible and the next two pills the next day. Continue taking one pill a day until you finish the pack. Use a second form of birth control (eg, condom, spermicide) for 7 days after you miss a dose.
  • If you miss two yellow pills in week 3 or 4, or if you miss three or more yellow pills in a row in any week:
    • Day 1 start: Throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day.
    • Sunday start: Continue taking one pill a day until Sunday, then throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day. Use a second form of birth control (eg, condom, spermicide) for 7 days after you miss a dose, to prevent pregnancy. If you miss your menstrual period 2 months in a row, check with your doctor because you might be pregnant.
  • If you miss any of the seven white pills in week 4: Throw away the pills you missed. Continue taking one pill a day until you finish the pack.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2023

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