Information About Yasmin

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.

HOW TO USE: How much medicine you take and how often you take it depends on many factors, including the condition being treated and the age and weight of the patient. If you have any questions about the amount and/or frequency of the medicine you are taking, talk with your health care provider. Your doctor or health care provider will take a medical and family history and examine you before prescribing Yasmin. The physical exam may be postponed to another time if you request it and your doctor believes that it is good medical practice to delay it. You should have follow up exams at least once a year while you are taking Yasmin. Yasmin does not protect against HIV infection or other sexually transmitted diseases. Carefully read the patient package insert available with the product for specific dosing and missed dose instructions before taking Yasmin. To achieve maximum effectiveness, tablets must be taken exactly as directed and no more than 24 hours apart. It is important to take 1 tablet at the same time of day. Notify your doctor at once if you experience any of the following: Pain in the groin or calves; sharp or crushing chest pain; sudden shortness of breath; abnormal vaginal bleeding; heaviness in the chest; missed menstrual period or suspected pregnancy; lumps in the breast; sudden severe headache;dizziness; fainting; vision or speech disturbance; weakness or numbness in the arm or leg; severe stomach pain or tenderness in the stomach area; yellowing of the skin or eyes (especially if accompanied by fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark colored urine, or light-colored bowel movements); severe depression;contact lens intolerance; coughing up blood; vomiting; sudden partial or complete loss of vision; difficulty sleeping; weakness; lack of energy; fatigue; mood changes. Contact your doctor if you miss 2 consecutive menstrual periods. Stop using Yasmin until pregnancy is ruled out. If you experience vomiting or diarrhea, Yasmin may not be as effective. Use a backup method of birth control (eg, condoms, spermicide)until you speak with your health care provider. Yasmin may cause spotting or breakthrough bleeding, or nausea, especially the first few months of treatment. If it continues past the second month, contact your doctor. Do not skip pills even if you are not having sexual intercourse often, feel sick to your stomach, or you are spotting or bleeding between monthly periods. If you have trouble remembering to take Yasmin, talk with your doctor about ways to make your pill taking easier or about using another method of birth control. When you finish a pack or switch your brand of pills, start the next pack on the day after your last white 'reminder' pill. Do not wait any days between packs. If you notice changes in vision or tolerance of contact lenses, notify your eye care specialist. Consider temporarily or permanently stopping contact lens wear. Diabetic patients - Be prepared to monitor your blood sugar levels more often. Yasmin may cause dizziness. Use caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, coordination, or physical dexterity.Lab tests will be required to monitor therapy. Be sure to keep appointments.

Side Effects
Every medicine can cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following occurs:Severe- Pain in the groin or calves; sharp or crushing chest pain; sudden shortness of breath; abnormal vaginal bleeding; heaviness in the chest; missed menstrual period or suspected pregnancy; lumps in the breast; sudden severe headache;vision or speech disturbance; weakness or numbness in the arm or leg; severe stomach pain or tenderness in the stomach area; yellowing of the skin or eyes;contact lens intolerance; coughing up blood; vomiting; sudden partial or complete loss of vision; difficulty sleeping; weakness; lack of energy; fatigue; mood changes. Common- Nausea; change in weight; change in vaginal secretion; cramps; bloating;decreased ability to produce breast milk; spotting; migraine; change in menstrual flow; rash; depression; temporary infertility after stopping use of Yasmin;vaginal yeast infection; fluid retention; spotty, darkening of the skin; breast tenderness, enlargement, and secretion; absence of menstrual cycle. Other- Headache; nervousness; changes in appetite; dizziness; hair loss; acne;cataracts; changes in libido; urinary tract infection-like symptoms (pain or burning while urinating); premenstrual symptoms; vaginitis.

Precautions
Before using Yasmin, tell your health care provider about any of the following: if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding; if you are taking any other prescription medicine, nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement; if you have a history of breast cancer, a family history of breast cancer, or have ever had an abnormal breast x-ray or mammogram; if you have a history of depression; if you have a history of migraines or other headaches; if you smoke; if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides; if you have a history of scanty or irregular menstrual periods; if you have any other medical condition.

Drug Interactions
Do not take Yasmin if you are allergic to any ingredient in Yasmin; you have blood disorders; you have history of stroke, or heart attack; you have blood clots in the legs or lungs; you have a history of developing blood clots in the deep veins of your legs; you have heart disease or chest pain; you have breast cancer or known or suspected cancer of the lining of the uterus, cervix, or vagina' you have experienced any abnormal vaginal bleeding; you have yellowing of the skin or eyes during pregnancy or with previous use of 'the pill'; you are a heavy smoker (15 or more cigarettes daily) and are over 35 years of age; you have a liver tumor; you have kidney, liver, or adrenal disease; you are pregnant or suspect you might be pregnant

STORAGE: Store this medication at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) away from heat and light.