What is Drospirenone?
Drospirenone is a progestin-only pill used to prevent pregnancy. Drospirenone can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Drospirenone
If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing and swelling in your face, lips or throat - seek medical assistance immediately! If you experience severe pain on your side or lower stomach, call your doctor immediately or go to an emergency room. This could indicate a tubal (or uterine) pregnancy. A tubal pregnancy can be a medical emergency.
Drospirenone can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- High potassium level—nausea and weakness, chest pains, irregular heartbeats, or loss of mobility;
- Signs of a Stroke: sudden numbness, weakness, or a severe headache; 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.
- Liver problems: loss of appetite, upper abdominal pain, fatigue, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing skin or eyes);
- Symptoms of depression include sleep problems, fatigue, and mood changes.
Drospirenone can cause a variety of side effects.
- Menstrual cramps and vaginal bleeding
- Breast pain or tenderness
- Headache;
- Nausea;
- Acne;
- Weight gain
- Reduced sex desire
There may be other side effects. Need advice about possible side effects? Consult a healthcare provider. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
Please read all the instructions on the label or package of your medication. Inform your healthcare provider about your medical conditions, your allergies, and the medicines you are using.
Before you take this drug
Drospirenone should not be used if:
- An adrenal gland disorder
- Kidney disease
- Unusual vaginal bleeding not checked by a physician;
- Liver cancer, or liver disease?
- A history of cancers of the breast, uterus, cervix, or vagina
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- High potassium levels in the blood
- A stroke or a blood clot.
- Diabetes
- Depression;
- Liver or kidney disease
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing. Stop taking drospirenone if you become pregnant. Drospirenone should not be used by women who have not had their period yet.
How to take Drospirenone?
Read all instructions or guides that accompany your medication and follow them precisely, particularly any instructions printed on its label. Please read and follow all directions that accompany your medication carefully, if there are any that you don't understand please consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist immediately. If any aspect is unclear contact them. Drospirenone is available in different colored packs of pills. Take one white (active pill) every day for 24 consecutive days, then four green (inactive pill) pills. Start a new pack and repeat the daily cycle You should take your first pill the day after your period begins. Follow the instructions for when to start taking drospirenone if you are switching from another form of birth control. Start each new pack with the first pill in the first row. You may receive stickers that mark the weekdays on your medicine pack. Take drospirenone every day at the same time.
Do not chew or crush the tablet. When you start taking drospirenone, it is possible that you will need to use a backup birth control method, such as a condom with spermicide. If you have vomit or diarrhea within 3–4 hours after taking the drospirenone pill, you should take your next tablet as soon or as close as possible to your usual time of taking your pill. Continue taking one pill each day at the same time. During the first three months, you may experience bleeding. If this bleeding is heavy or continues, tell your doctor. It can also affect certain medical tests. Tell your doctor that you use drospirenone. Remove heat and moisture at room temperature.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Please read the instructions that come with your medication.If you need any clarification of instructions from either your doctor or pharmacist, seek help immediately as missing pills increases the chance of becoming pregnant. Take an active pill as soon as you remember. Take 1 pill a day for the remainder of the pack. Take only the last pill you missed if you have missed two or more pills. Take 1 pill per dose for the remainder of the pack starting the following day (throw away the missed pills). After the missed pill, use a backup birth control method for at least seven days. Call your doctor if you have missed a period. You might be pregnant. If you forget to take an inactive tablet, continue taking one inactive tablet per day until your pack is empty.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention. Vomiting or vaginal bleeding may occur in the event of an overdose.
What should be avoided?
If your doctor suggests any restrictions related to food, beverages or activities for which they prescribe restrictions for you, be sure to heed his or her directions and adhere to them strictly.
Interaction with other drug
Notify your doctor of all medications you are currently taking. Drospirenone can be affected by many drugs, including:
- John's Wort;
- Antifungal or antibacterial medicine
- Antiviral medication to treat HIV or hepatitis C
The list of drugs that can affect drospirenone is not exhaustive. Some drugs may make drospirenone ineffective, which can lead to pregnancy. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.
