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Drospirenone / Ethinyl Estradiol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 15, 2024.

Applies to drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol: oral tablet.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (tablet)

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular events from oral contraceptive use.

This risk increases with age, particularly in women over 35 years of age, and with the number of cigarettes smoked.

Women who are over 35 years of age and smoke should not use oral contraceptives.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol:

More common

  • breast pain or tenderness
  • headache, severe and throbbing
  • heavy non-menstrual vaginal bleeding
  • irregular menstrual periods
  • nausea
  • normal menstrual bleeding occurring earlier, possibly lasting longer than expected

Less common

  • longer or heavier menstrual periods
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • vomiting

Incidence not known

  • chills
  • clay-colored stools
  • dark urine
  • difficulty with breathing
  • dizziness
  • fever
  • headache
  • itching
  • loss of appetite
  • pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves
  • rash
  • slurred speech
  • stomach pain
  • sudden loss of coordination
  • sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arm or leg
  • unpleasant breath odor
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • vision changes
  • vomiting of blood
  • yellow eyes or skin

Other side effects

Some side effects of drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

  • crying
  • decreased interest in sexual intercourse
  • delusions of persecution, mistrust, suspiciousness, or combativeness
  • false or unusual sense of well-being
  • inability to have or keep an erection
  • irritability
  • loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
  • mental depression
  • quick to react or overreact emotionally
  • rapidly changing moods
  • weight gain

For healthcare professionals

Applies to drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol: oral tablet.

General

The most common adverse events were irregular uterine bleeding, nausea, breast tenderness, and headache.[Ref]

Genitourinary

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea, which occurs in approximately 10% of treated women and may be more frequent during the first cycles of therapy. Some early reports suggested an association between oral contraceptive use and gallbladder disease. Abdominal pain and gastroenteritis have been reported in postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Venous and arterial thromboembolic events includes peripheral deep vein occlusion, thrombosis and embolism/pulmonary vascular occlusion, thrombosis, embolism, infarction, intracardiac thrombosis, retinal vein occlusion, myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, and stroke.[Ref]

Nervous system

Psychiatric

Other

Dermatologic

Respiratory

Hypersensitivity

Oncologic

Hepatic

Metabolic

Musculoskeletal

Ocular

Hematologic

Endocrine

References

1. (2001) "Product Information. Yasmin (drospirenone-ethinyl estradiol)." Berlex Laboratories

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."

3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

4. (2017) "Product Information. Gianvi (drospirenone-ethinyl estradiol)." Teva Pharmaceuticals USA

Further information

Drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.