Oral contraceptives that contain solely drospirenone, a progestin, are used to prevent pregnancy. Women produce the hormone progestin. Ovulation, the release of eggs from the ovaries, is prevented, and the cervical mucus and uterine lining are altered. Oral contraceptives that contain solely progestin are among the most effective birth control options available, but they cannot stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Oral contraceptives that contain solely progestin (drospirenone) are available in the form of daily tablet dosages. Oral contraceptives should be taken every day at about the same time. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Follow the directions on your oral contraceptive exactly. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Oral contraceptives that contain solely progestin (drospirenone) are sold in packs of 28 pills, each of which is coloured differently. Take 1 pill every day for a total of 28 days in the manner prescribed in your packaging. The active component is present in the first 24 white tablets (drospirenone). The final four pills are green and contain an inactive substance. The day after you take your 28th tablet, begin a new package.

When you should begin using your oral progestin-only (drospirenone) contraception, your doctor will advise you. If you are switching from another method of birth control, let your doctor know (other birth control pills, vaginal ring, transdermal patch, implant, injection, intrauterine device [IUD]).

Take the following pill in your packet right away if you have nausea or diarrhoea within 3 or 4 hours of eating a white tablet (containing the active component) (preferably within 12 hours of the dose previously taken). Finish the current packet before continuing with your regular dosage schedule. It will be one day ahead of your prior schedule when you begin a new packet. If you vomit or have diarrhoea for more than a day while taking the white tablets, you might need to use a backup method of birth control (containing the active ingredient). Before starting your oral contraceptive, discuss this with your doctor so that you can get ready with a backup birth control option just in case. Call your doctor to ask how long to use the backup method if you have nausea or diarrhoea while using an oral contraceptive.

Only when taken consistently can oral contraceptives be effective. Even if you are bleeding or spotting, have an upset stomach, or don’t believe you are likely to get pregnant, keep taking your oral contraceptives every day. Stop using oral contraceptives only after consulting your doctor.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking progestin-only (drospirenone) oral contraceptive tablets,

• If you have an allergy to drospirenone, any other progestins, or any other drugs, tell your doctor right away.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins, and dietary supplements you are using. Make sure you bring up any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), captopril, enalapril (Epaned, Vasotec, in Vaseretic), fosinopril, lisinopril (in Zestoretic), moexipril, perindopril (in Prestalia), quinapril (Accupril, in Accuretic, in Quinaretic); azilsartan (Edarbi, in Edarbyclor), candesartan (Atacand, in Atacand HCT), eprosartan, irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), and olmesartan are angiotensin receptor blockers (Benicar, in Azor, in Benicar HCT, in Tribenzor), itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), ketoconazole, and voriconazole (Vfend), as well as telmisartan (Micardis, in Micardis HCT, in Twynsta) and valsartan (Diovan, in Entresto, in Diovan HCT, in Exforge, in Exforge HCT); aprepitant (Emend); aspirin, other NSAIDs such ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), bosentan (Tracleer), boceprevir (Victrelis), and carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol, among others); diuretics (often known as “water pills”) including amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone, Carospir, in Aldactzide), and triamterene (Dyrenium, in Dyazide, in Maxzide); some HIV drugs like efavirenz (Sustiva, in Atripla, in Symfi), and indinavir (Crixivan); heparin, phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), potassium supplements, oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater), eplerenone (Inspra), felbamate (Felbatol), griseofulvin (Gris- (Banzel). Your doctor might need to adjust the dosage of your medication or keep a close eye out for any negative effects.
• Please let your doctor know if you are taking any herbal supplements, especially St. John’s wort.
• Inform your doctor if you have kidney disease, unexplained abnormal vaginal bleeding, liver cancer, liver tumours, or any other type of liver disease. You should also mention if you have adrenal insufficiency (condition in which the body does not produce enough of certain natural substances needed for important functions like blood pressure). Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had breast cancer, uterine, cervix, or vaginal lining cancer. Most likely, your doctor will advise against using oral contraceptives that contain solely progestin (drospirenone).
• Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had depression, osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood potassium levels, blood clots in your legs, lungs, or eyes, stroke or mini-stroke, a heart attack, or any of these conditions.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while using oral contraceptives that contain solely progestin (drospirenone).
• You may be pregnant if you stop having periods while using oral contraception. If you have taken your medication as directed and miss one period, you may still take your medication. However, call your doctor and use another method of birth control until you have a pregnancy test if you have taken your pills as prescribed and you miss one period or if you have taken them as prescribed and you miss two. Call your doctor if you think you could be pregnant or if you develop pregnancy-related symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or sore breasts.
• Inform the surgeon or dentist that you are using oral contraceptives that contain just progestin (drospirenone) if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

You may not be protected against pregnancy if you skip two or more doses of the white tablets containing the active component. For seven days, you might have to utilise a backup method of birth control. Skip the missed dosage and carry on with your regular dosing plan if you forget to take the green tablets (which contain inactive components). If you miss one or more doses, you must follow particular instructions that come with oral contraceptive tablets that contain just progestin (drospirenone). Read the manufacturer’s material for the patient that was included with your oral contraceptive product very carefully for directions. You should contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any queries. As long as you don’t get your answers, keep taking your pills as prescribed and use a backup form of birth control.

Oral contraceptives that contain solely progestin (drospirenone) may have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Acne
• Irregular intervals of menstruation
• Between menstrual cycles, there may be bleeding or spotting.
• Difficult times
• Headache
• Breast sensitivity
• Gaining weight
• Less sexual arousal

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you encounter any of these symptoms, or seek emergency care:

• Terrible headache
• Violent vomiting
• Speech issues
• An arm or leg that is weak or numb
• Chest discomfort or heaviness
• Fast or irregular pulse
• Breathing difficulty
• Leg ache
• Vision alterations or a partial or total loss of vision
• Very bad stomach ache
• Eyes or skin that have a yellow tint
• Stomach ache in the top right corner
• Depression, especially if you also experience difficulty sleeping, exhaustion, a decline in energy, other mood changes, or suicidal thoughts
• Unexpectedly thick or protracted menstrual bleeding
• Absence of menstruation

The chance of developing liver tumours and cervical cancer may increase with oral contraceptives. It is unknown if oral contraceptives that contain solely progestin (drospirenone) increase the risk of these illnesses. The dangers of using this drug should be discussed with your doctor.

Other negative effects could occur from oral contraceptives that are progestin-only (drospirenone). If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication out of the reach of children and tightly wrapped in the packet it came in. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Vaginal bleeding

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

Inform the lab staff that you are using a progestin-only (drospirenone) oral contraceptive prior to any testing, as this medicine may affect the results of some tests.

Stop using progestin-only (drospirenone) contraceptives if you wish to get pregnant. Your ability to become pregnant shouldn’t be hampered by progestin-only contraception.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.