What is Drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol ?
Drospirenone, combined with ethyl estradiol, is a combination birth control pill that contains female hormones to prevent ovulation. Drospirenone, ethinyl-estradiol, and other female hormones can also cause changes to your cervical mucus or uterine lining. This makes it more difficult for sperm and fertilized eggs to attach to the uterus. As a contraceptive, Drospirenone ethinyl esteradiol can be used to prevent pregnancy. This medication is used to treat mild acne in women over 14 who have begun menstruating and wish to take birth-control pills. Yaz can also be used to treat symptoms of premenstrual disorder (PMDD), including anxiety, depression, and irritability. It is also prescribed for sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, breast tenderness or pain, joint or muscular pain, headaches, and weight gain. This medication guide does not list all possible uses of ethinyl esteradiol and Drospirenone.
Side effects of Drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol
If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, hives or swelling to lips, face or throat - seek medical assistance immediately!
Birth control pills can cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if:
- Signs of stroke: sudden numbness, weakness, or headache (especially one side), slurred or shaky speech, or problems with vision, balance, or coordination;
- Signs of a blood clot: sudden vision loss, stabbing pain in the chest, feeling short of breath, coughing blood, or pain or warmth on one or both legs.
- Heart attack symptoms: chest pain or pressure; pain spreading into your jaw or shoulder; nausea; and sweating.
- Liver problems: fatigue, nausea, dark urine, clay-colored stools, and jaundice.
- Increased blood pressure—a severe headache, blurred or distorted vision, or pounding in the neck, ears, or head;
- You may experience swelling of your ankles, feet, or hands.
- A change in the frequency or intensity of migraine headaches
- Depression symptoms often include difficulty sleeping, fatigue and mood shifts.
Some of the common side effects associated with drospirenone or ethinyl esteradiol include:
- Nausea, vomiting;
- Breast tenderness
- Feeling tired, irritable, or with a headache;
- Weight gain
- Changes in your menstrual cycle, decreased sexual drive
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
Do not use it if you are pregnant or if you have just had a Baby. If you are pregnant or taking birth control pills and have jaundice, you should not use drospirenone or ethinyl esteradiol. This medicine increases your risk of stroke, heart attack, and blood clots. Smoking increases your risk of blood clots and strokes. Do not take this medication if you are over 35.
Before you take this drug
This medicine increases your risk of stroke, heart attack, and blood clots. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or are overweight, you're at an even greater risk. The risk of a stroke or blood clot increases during the first year you take birth control pills. You are at high risk when you start taking birth control pills again after a break of 4 weeks or more. Smoking increases your risk of blood clots and strokes. The more you smoke, the greater the risk. This medicine should not be taken if you are older than 35 and smoke. Do not use this medication if pregnant. Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or if two menstrual cycles are missed in a row. Wait at least four weeks after giving birth before you take this medication.
This medicine should not be taken if:
- An adrenal gland disorder
- Kidney disease
- Untreated or uncontrolled hypertension;
- Heart disease (coronary arterial disease, stroke history, blood clots, or heart attack)
- An increased risk of blood clots as a result of a heart condition or hereditary blood disorder.
- Circulatory problems (especially when caused by diabetes);
- A history of cancers of the breast, uterus, cervix, or vagina
- Unusual vaginal bleeding not checked by a physician;
- Liver disease, or liver cancer
- Severe migraine headaches, especially if older than 35.
- A history of jaundice due to pregnancy or birth control pills
- If you are older than 35 and smoke,
- If you take any hepatitis c medication containing ombitasvir, paritaprevir, or ritonavir (technivie).
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- If you have heart problems, high blood pressure, or are susceptible to blood clots, then this is the product for you.
- High potassium levels in the blood
- If you have high cholesterol, triglycerides, or are overweight, this may be a sign.
- Depression;
- Liver or kidney disease
- Diabetes, gallbladder diseases,
- A headache.
This medicine contains hormones that can be passed into breast milk, which may cause harm to a nursing infant. This medicine can also reduce breast milk production. Use caution if you're breastfeeding.
How to take Drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol?
Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all directions. Follow the directions on the label. You can take your first pill either on the day you start your period or on the first Sunday following the beginning of your cycle. When you first begin using this medication, you may need to use a backup birth control method, such as spermicide condoms. One pill per day is recommended, but no more than one every 24 hours. Start a new package the next day, when the pills are finished. If you don't take a pill every day, you could become pregnant. You might experience bleeding during the first three months. If this bleeding is heavy or continues, tell your doctor. You may have to temporarily stop taking drospirenone or ethinyl esteradiol if you are going to be bedridden for an extended period of time or if you will need major surgery. You should let any doctor or surgeon who treats you know you're taking this medication. Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.
What happens if I miss the dose?
ake two pills the following day if you forget one; otherwise take 1 per day until your pack runs out. If you missed two active pills consecutively during Weeks 1-2, take 2 pills every other day for two days and one for the remainder of your package. When an active pill has been missed and cannot be replaced by its backup birth control method for at least seven days after it has been missed, use an alternative birth control method until replacement pill(s) arrive. If you miss two active pills consecutively during Week 3, discard and start another pack on Day 1 (if started Monday-Sunday); otherwise continue taking one pill until Sunday then throw out and start new package on Sunday (if started before Monday). If you miss three active pills consecutively during Weeks 1-3, discard what remains and start over with a fresh package on Day 1; or continue taking one pill per day up until Sunday; when this week-end arrives discard the remainder and commence another one. Missing two or more pills could prevent your period. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if this has happened in two consecutive months - it could indicate pregnancy! If you forget to take a pill reminder, just throw it out and continue taking one reminder pill each day until your pack is empty.
What happens if I overdose?
Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. An overdose can cause nausea or bleeding.
What should be avoided?
Do not smoke while taking Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol, especially if you are over 35 years of age. This medicine does not protect against sexually transmissible diseases, including HIV or AIDS. The only way to prevent these diseases is by using a condom.
Interaction with other drug
Other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies, may also interact with drospirenone or ethinyl esteradiol. This medicine can be less effective if you take certain drugs. Pregnancy may occur. Informing your physician of all medications you are currently taking and those you stop or start using is imperative for continued good health.
