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- Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
Drospirenone is commonly found in most birth control pills. Its active pharmaceutical ingredients constitute the primary ingredient found in contraceptive pills.
Drospirenone is different from other progestin like compounds in that it closely resembles progesterone. Therefore, it has been found to inhibit the activity formed by enhanced estrogen levels. It has been known to exhibit anti-mineralocorticoid behavior. Since it exhibits similar behavior as spironolactone, it results in reduce retention of water as well as tenderness of breasts. It also contributes to enhanced appearance of the skin with lesser incidence of acne.
Drospirenone is typically taken in oral form and its overall bioavailability is around 76%. It is unbound from corticosteroid binding globulin and instead is bound because of serum proteins.
Its metabolites do not show much biological activity. Instead these compounds surface in feces and urine and can be totally eliminated from the body in 10 days’ duration. Some of the more modern oral contraceptives contain Drospirenone in varying amounts. For example, the contraceptives Yasmin, Yaz and Yasminelle have 3 mg concentration of Drospirenone along with varying concentrations of ethinylestradiol.
Drospirenone is also known to curtail certain symptoms specific to menopause. A dosage of 0.5 mg via drsp and estradiol concentrate of 1 mg is administered via application each day.
Patients with a high-risk factor should not consume Drospirenone at a 3 mg concentration since it is equable to 25 mg dosages of spironolactone. Persons who have hepatic dysfunction, adrenal insufficiency, renal insufficiency or who should not take oral contraceptives should not consume Drospirenone because it can cause a reaction. People who smoke a lot or who have DVT history, blood clotting or strokes should not take Drospirenone as well.
Drugs which enhance potassium levels in the body should not be consumed in conjunction with Drospirenone. These drugs are inclusive of ACE inhibitors, diuretics which spare potassium, receptor agonists of angiotensin II type, potassium supplementation, aldosterone antagonists, heparin, NSAIDs etc.
Drospirenone works by preventing ovulation or release of the egg from ovary, thereby preventing pregnancy in a woman. If you are already pregnant you should not take Drospirenone because it can cause congenital defects in the child. If you have diabetes or associated circulatory problems, uterine or breast cancer, vaginal bleeding excessively or migraine or even high levels of blood pressure you should not take Drospirenone. If birth control pills have resulted in jaundice you should not take Drospirenone. By preventing egg release, Drospirenone works by making fertilization difficult for the sperm. Usually Drospirenone is used in conjunction with ethinyl estradiol to prevent a case of pregnancy. Women older than 14 years of age use it to treat acne conditions.
Common PMDD symptoms like breast tenderness, fatigue, depression, lack of concentration, irritability, muscle and joint pains, weight gains etc. can also be cured by Drospirenone intake. If nursing a baby, do not take Drospirenone as it can pass into breast milk. It also enhances potassium levels in the body and so if you have kidney disease, liver malfunction, adrenal gland related defects then Drospirenone should be avoided.