Dansy

Indications

Drospirenone is a female hormone (a progestogen). On its own it is used as a progestogen-only contraceptive pill to prevent pregnancy. It is also combined with an oestrogen in some combined pills and in menopause hormone therapy; those combinations have their own information pages.

How It Works

Drospirenone stops the ovaries from releasing an egg each month, thickens the mucus at the neck of the womb so sperm cannot pass easily, and thins the womb lining. It also has a mild water-reducing effect similar to Spironolactone.

Dosage and Administration

As a progestogen-only pill: take one tablet by mouth every day at about the same time, in the order shown on the pack (24 active tablets followed by 4 inactive tablets), and start the next pack the day after finishing, with no break. When starting for the first time, take the first tablet on day 1 of your period. If you are more than 24 hours late taking an active tablet, take it as soon as you remember and use condoms for the next 7 days; follow the pack leaflet or ask your pharmacist. Vomiting within 3 to 4 hours of a tablet counts as a missed tablet. When combined with other hormones, use as prescribed.

Interactions

• Medicines that speed up liver enzymes can make it less effective: Rifampicin, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital, Topiramate, some HIV medicines and St John's wort. Use extra contraception as advised.
• Medicines that raise potassium, such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, Spironolactone, potassium supplements and long-term painkillers like Ibuprofen, may raise potassium further.
• Ketoconazole, Itraconazole and Clarithromycin can raise drospirenone levels.

Contraindications

• Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy.
• Current blood clot in a vein (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism).
• Severe liver disease or liver tumours.
• Severe kidney disease or adrenal gland failure.
• Known or suspected breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive cancer.
• Unexplained bleeding from the vagina.

Side Effects

Common: irregular bleeding or spotting, headache, acne, breast tenderness, nausea, weight changes, mood changes and lower sex drive.

Get urgent medical help for pain or swelling in one leg, sudden chest pain or breathlessness, a sudden severe headache or problems with vision or speech, yellow skin or eyes, severe lower stomach pain (which can be a sign of ectopic pregnancy), or marked muscle weakness or irregular heartbeat.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Do not use during pregnancy; stop and see a doctor if you think you are pregnant. Small amounts pass into breast milk; progestogen-only pills are generally considered suitable while breastfeeding, but ask your doctor first.

Precautions and Warnings

• It does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, a history of blood clots or liver disease.
• Your doctor may check potassium levels if you take medicines that raise potassium.
• Stop and see a doctor if you develop jaundice or a sharp rise in blood pressure.

Overdose

Taking too many tablets may cause nausea, vomiting and vaginal bleeding; serious harm is unlikely. Seek medical advice, especially if a child has swallowed them.

Therapeutic Class

Progestogen; hormonal contraceptive.

Storage

Store below 30°C in a dry place, in the original pack, away from light and out of the reach of children.