drospirenone at a glance
Medicine class
Progestogen-only hormonal contraceptive
Licensed use
Prevention of pregnancy
Oestrogen
The selected product contains no oestrogen
Food
Food does not meaningfully affect absorption
STI protection
It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections
What is drospirenone used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Contraception to prevent pregnancy.
How does drospirenone work?
Drospirenone mainly prevents ovulation by suppressing hormonal signals needed for follicle development and egg release. It also thickens cervical mucus and makes the womb lining thinner. It has mild antiandrogenic and potassium-sparing, antimineralocorticoid properties.
drospirenone preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 4 mg
How to take drospirenone
Swallow the tablets by mouth and follow the instructions supplied with the pack.
Keep the white active tablets and green placebo tablets in the correct sequence.
Tablets may be taken with or without food.
Vomiting or severe diarrhoea after an active tablet can reduce absorption; follow the leaflet instructions.
drospirenone side effects
Common or expected effects
- Irregular, unexpected or absent bleeding
- Acne
- Headache
- Breast discomfort
- Nausea or abdominal pain
- Mood or libido changes
- Weight increase
Get urgent medical advice
- Symptoms suggesting a blood clot, including sudden severe breathlessness, chest pain or one-sided leg swelling
- A severe allergic reaction
- Severe depression or suicidal thoughts
- Severe abdominal pain with possible pregnancy
- Jaundice or other signs of significant liver dysfunction
drospirenone in pregnancy
Drospirenone contraception should not be used during pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, stop taking it and contact the prescriber. Available evidence has not shown increased birth-defect risk after use before pregnancy or accidental early exposure.
drospirenone while breastfeeding
The selected product may be used while breastfeeding. Only negligible amounts enter breast milk, and effects on the breastfed infant are not anticipated from available evidence. Discuss individual circumstances with a midwife, doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
drospirenone interactions
Check prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products because some can reduce contraceptive protection or alter drospirenone exposure.
Enzyme inducers, including carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, rifampicin, oxcarbazepine and some topiramate regimens
They can increase hormone clearance, causing breakthrough bleeding and contraceptive failure; alternative or additional contraception may be required.
St John's wort
This herbal remedy can reduce contraceptive effectiveness.
Some HIV or hepatitis C treatments
They may raise or lower progestogen concentrations, so product-specific advice is required.
Common questions about drospirenone
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Does drospirenone contain oestrogen?
No. The selected contraceptive contains drospirenone alone and is a progestogen-only pill.
Can it be taken with food?
Yes. Food does not meaningfully alter its absorption.
Can it make periods irregular or stop them?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.