Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol
About Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol
Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol is used as an oral contraceptive to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Besides this, it is also used to treat moderate acne and symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder who wish to use birth control pills.
Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol contains Drospirenone and Ethinylestradiol, which works by preventing the fertilisation of the egg. Thereby, it helps prevent pregnancy.
Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol may cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, headache, mood changes, and breast tenderness. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Do not take Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol if you are allergic to any of its components or if you are pregnant. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medications to prevent any interactions.
Uses of Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol
• Contraception: Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol is an oral contraceptive that prevents pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation and altering the uterine lining.
• Regulation of Menstrual Cycle: Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol helps to regulate irregular menstrual cycles, making periods more predictable for those with hormonal imbalances.
• Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol manages PCOS symptoms like irregular periods, acne, and excessive hair growth.
• Reduction of Menstrual Pain: Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol can alleviate menstrual cramps and associated discomfort.
• Hormonal Balance: Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol helps in alleviating symptoms of hormonal imbalance, including mood swings, bloating, and breast tenderness.
Medicinal Benefits
- Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol prevents unwanted pregnancy by stopping ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary).
- It also alters cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it difficult for sperm to reach the uterus or for a fertilised egg to implant.
- Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol helps treat moderate acne in women aged 14 years and older who have started menstruating and wish to use oral contraceptives.
- Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol also helps manage symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), such as mood swings, anxiety, depression, irritability, and fatigue.
- It reduces physical discomfort associated with PMDD, including breast tenderness, bloating, joint or muscle pain, and headaches.
- Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol supports hormonal balance, promoting clearer skin and more regular menstrual cycles.
Directions for Use
- Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol can be taken with or without food as advised by a doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions regarding the dosage and duration.
- Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Breast tenderness
- Headache
- Mood changes
- Tiredness
- Irritability
- Weight gain
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol if you are allergic to any of its components or if you are pregnant.
- Avoid taking Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol if you have/had an adrenal gland disorder, severe kidney or liver problems, uncontrolled high blood pressure, circulation problems, stroke, unexplained vaginal bleeding, liver tumour, or breast cancer.
- Do not smoke while taking Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol, especially if you are older than 35 years of age.
- Stop taking Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol and inform your doctor immediately if you notice symptoms of a blood clot in a vein (unexplained pain and swelling in your limbs, chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, or changes in vision), or jaundice (skin and whites of the eye turning yellow).
- Inform your doctor if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, blood clot problems, migraine, jaundice, hepatitis, high potassium, an underactive thyroid, gall bladder disease, depression, or high cholesterol.
- Let your doctor know if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements or herbal products.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol may interact with HIV drugs (atazanavir/cobicistat, ospemifene, tamoxifen, tizanidine), drugs used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (ombitasvir/paritaprevir, ritonavir), drugs used in hypertension (losartan, valsartan, enalapril), and pain killers (Ibuprofen, naproxen).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol may interact with disease conditions, including hyperkalemia, abnormal vaginal bleeding, cancer, Hypercalcemia (increased calcium level) in breast cancer, and hypertension (high blood pressure).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionConsuming alcohol with Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol is not advisable as it may cause unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeDo not use Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant. Consult your doctor immediately if you think you suspect pregnancy while taking Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol.
Breast Feeding
unsafeDrospirenone+ethinylestradiol is not recommended during breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if you are a lactating mother.
Driving
safeDrospirenone+ethinylestradiol is unlikely to affect your ability to drive.
Liver
unsafeDrospirenone+ethinylestradiol is not recommended if you have severe liver disease or a liver tumour. Inform your doctor if you have liver problems before starting Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol.
Kidney
cautionDrospirenone+ethinylestradiol is not recommended if you have severe kidney problems. Inform your doctor if you have kidney problems before starting Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol.
Children
cautionDrospirenone+ethinylestradiol is not intended for use in females whose periods have not yet started.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with a body mass index (BMI) of 19.5-24.9.
- Opt for a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, veggies, and low-fat dairy products.
- Quitting smoking and not drinking alcohol is the best strategy to lower the risk of any complications.
- Do regular exercise to maintain weight fluctuations caused by Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol.
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly, and if there is too much fluctuation, immediately contact your doctor.
- Including heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid-containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oils like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.
Special Advise
Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Contraception: Contraception refers to methods or devices used to prevent pregnancy. It works by stopping ovulation (the release of an egg), fertilisation (the meeting of sperm and egg), or implantation (attachment of a fertilised egg to the uterus).
Acne: Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil (sebum), dead skin cells, and bacteria. It often appears on the face, neck, chest, shoulders, and back, where oil glands are most active.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that affects women in the days or weeks before menstruation. It causes intense emotional, behavioural, and physical symptoms that interfere with daily life, work, and relationships.
FAQs
Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol is used as an oral contraceptive to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Besides this, it is also used to treat moderate acne and symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder who wish to use birth control pills.
Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol works by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). It also causes changes in cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilised egg to attach to the uterus.
If you vomit within 3-4 hours after taking Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol. Therefore, you should take another dose as soon as you feel well sufficient.
Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol may cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, headache, mood changes, and breast tenderness. If the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
You will usually get your period within three days after taking the last pill. If you have not followed the dosing schedule, like you have missed one or two pills or started taking them a day after, then you should have. The probability of pregnancy should be considered at the time of the first missed period, and you should contact your doctor.
It is essential to follow the advice given by your healthcare professional carefully. Incorrect dosage can impair the medication's effectiveness in preventing pregnancy.
Yes, Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol may interact with some medications, potentially reducing their effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects. Inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements.
Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol helps treat moderate acne in women aged 14 years and older who have started menstruating and wish to use oral contraceptives. It works by lowering androgen levels; this helps decrease oil production and treat acne.
Drospirenone+ethinylestradiol may be used to treat symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) such as anxiety, irritability, depression, trouble concentrating, lack of energy, breast tenderness, sleep or appetite changes, joint or muscle pain, headache, and weight gain.
