Combined Hormonal Contraceptives (28-day regimen)

Drug Class:	Commonly Known As:	Category:
Oral Contraceptives	Yaz, Drospera, Jastinda	Adult

Combined Hormonal Contraceptives (28-day regimen) - Dosage and How to Use

How should Combined Hormonal Contraceptives (28-day regimen) be used?

Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
If you are switching from other forms of contraception, please seek advice from your healthcare professional.
You should take this medication after food.
You may start taking this medication on the first or second day of your menses (if this is your first time taking hormonal contraceptives).
If you are also using it for contraceptive purposes, a barrier method of contraception e.g. condoms, is recommended for the first 7 days of taking this medication for the first time.
Each pack contains 24 pink (active) tablets and 4 white (inactive) tablets = 28 tablets.
You should take one tablet daily for 28 days in a row, preferably at the same time every day. You must take the tablets in the correct sequence i.e. start each pack with the pink (active) tablets, followed by the white (inactive) tablets.
The next pack is started after the last tablet of the previous pack. Withdrawal bleeding usually starts on day 2-3 after starting the white (inactive) tablet and may not have finished before the next pack is started.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

There is no action needed if you have missed the white (inactive) tablets; however you must follow the steps below if you miss any of your 24 pink (active) tablets to ensure that the contraceptive effect is not reduced.

Within 24 hours:
Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember. Take the next tablet at your usual time.

More than 24 hours:
If the missed tablet is within

Week 1 of the pack:

Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember, even if it means taking 2 tablets at the same time.
Continue to take your tablets at your usual time on the next day.
Use a barrier method such as a condom for the next 7 days.

Week 2 of the pack:

Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember, even if it means taking 2 tablets at the same time.
Continue to take your tablets at your usual time on the next day.
If you have taken your tablets correctly in the 7 days before the first missed tablet, there is no need to use extra contraceptive precautions. However if this is not the case, or you have missed more than 1 tablet, use a barrier method such as a condom for the next 7 days.

Week 3 of the pack: Depending on whether you have taken your tablets correctly in the 7 days before the first missed tablet, you would have to follow the following options:

No missed tablets in the last 7 days

Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember, even if it means taking 2 tablets at the same time.

Continue to take your tablets at your usual time until the pink (active) tablets are finished. Throw away the 4 white (inactive) tablets and start the next pack right away. Your menses may not come until you finish taking all the pink (active) tablets of the next pack, but there is no need to worry. However, if your menses do not occur after the next pack is finished, you should take a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant.
OR
Stop the current pack and have a tablet-free period of up to 4 days (including the day you missed the tablet) - during which time a withdrawal bleed (menses) usually occurs and then continue with the next pack.

Missed tablets in the last 7 days

Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember, even if it means taking 2 tablets at the same time.

Continue to take your tablets at your usual time until the pink (active) tablets are finished. Throw away the 4 white (inactive) tablets and start the next pack right away. Your menses may not come until you finish taking all the pink (active) tablets of the next pack, but there is no need to worry. However, if your menses do not occur after the next pack is finished, you should take a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant.
AND
Use a barrier method such as a condom for the next 7 days

**If you miss your period (especially with missed tablets), check with your doctor to find out if you are pregnant before continuing to take the next cycle of contraceptives.

If you vomit or suffer from diarrhea within 3 to 4 hours of taking this medication, the tablet may not be absorbed. This is considered a missed dose. You should then follow the instructions above.