How To Switch From Yasmin To Yaz

In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses when you are supposed to start taking Yaz when switching from Yasmin.

Apr 04, 2018

Angie asked

I had taken Yasmin for 1 year which contains 21 active pills and 7 placebo pills.  I just switched to Yaz which is 28 pills , 24 active pills and 4 placebo pills. 
I stopped my Yasmin pill on 03/10/18 and had withdrawal bleeding on 03/12/18.
I began taking the Yaz on 03/17/18, which is one week later.
Between 03/17/18 and 03/24/18, I had unprotected sex. I was afraid that I might be pregnant , because after that I read online they said I have to take Yaz straight away after I finish Yasmin and the content in Yaz and Yasmin is different. Please advise.

Answer

When switching from Yasmin to Yaz, you simply begin taking Yaz the same day you would normally continue taking Yasmin.

Per the prescribing information for Yaz:

WHEN YOU SWITCH FROM A DIFFERENT BIRTH CONTROL PILL:

"When switching from another birth control pill, YAZ should be started on the same day that a new pack of the previous birth control pills would have been started."

For example:

  • You took your last active pill of Yasmin on 3/09/2018.
  • On 3/10/2018, you began taking 1 placebo (i.e. inactive) pill daily for 7 days and took your last placebo pill of Yasmin on 3/16/2018.
  • If you were continuing on Yasmin, you would resume taking the active pills on 3/17/2018. Since you are switching to Yaz, simply begin taking Yaz on 3/17/18.

As long as you start taking Yaz on the day you would normally resume taking Yasmin, you do not need to use back-up birth control and your risk of pregnancy is not increased.

Just like when you were taking Yasmin, it is important to take Yaz correctly for optimal efficacy.

  • Take one tablet of Yaz every day until the pack is empty.
  • Do not skip pills, even if spotting, bleeding, sick or do not have sex often.
  • When you finish a pack of Yaz, start to the next pack after the last white placebo pill. Do not wait any days between packs.

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