Kir 28

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Kir 28

Property Description
Active ingredients Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol
Form Oral Tablet
Pharmacological class Estrogen and Progestin Combination (Hormonal Contraceptive)
Common use Systemic prevention of pregnancy
Origin Synthetic

What Type of Medicine is Kir 28?

Kir 28 is classified as a prescription-only, synthetic combination oral contraceptive (COC), an oral tablet formulated for systemic administration to prevent pregnancy. This medication belongs to the high-level pharmacological class of Estrogen and Progestin Combinations. This classification confirms the medication is intended for systemic use as a hormonal contraceptive for females of reproductive potential. Popular brands containing this specific formulation include Yasmin, Yaz, and Ocella.

The Active Ingredients and Unique Composition

Kir 28's active components are the synthetic hormones Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol. Drospirenone is a unique synthetic progestin that is a structural derivative of spironolactone, possessing specific antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic activity. Drospirenone has a distinct mechanism of action characterized by unique properties compared to other progestins. This structural differentiation is clinically recognized for its potential to modulate fluid retention, offering a distinguishing feature within the oral contraceptive landscape. Ethinyl Estradiol serves as the estrogen component, and together they are manufactured as a solid oral tablet.

General Purpose and Primary Therapeutic Benefit

The primary therapeutic benefit of Kir 28 is the reliable, systemic prevention of pregnancy. This efficacy is achieved through a multi-faceted hormonal approach, which includes the inhibition of ovulation by suppressing the necessary hormonal signals, the thickening of cervical mucus to impede sperm motility, and the alteration of the uterine lining. This comprehensive hormonal intervention establishes a highly effective physiological state, defining the core purpose of the medication for contraception.

Regulatory References

  1. National Institutes of Health

What side effects are possible with Kir 28?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Kir 28 (Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol) is comprehensively documented in official government regulatory sources, detailing both common and serious adverse reactions.

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions are classified by frequency based on clinical trial data, primarily affecting several System-Organ Classes (SOCs). The most frequent reactions (classified as Common or ge 2%) include headache and migraine, menstrual irregularities (such as spotting or breakthrough bleeding), nausea and vomiting, and breast pain or tenderness. Psychiatric effects such as mood changes and affect lability are also frequently noted.


Serious Adverse Reactions and Safety Constraints

Regulatory documents highlight the risk of serious, though less common, events. The primary risks focus on Thromboembolic Events, including Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Pulmonary Embolism (PE), Stroke, and Myocardial Infarction. The risk of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is highest during the first year of use or upon restarting the medication after a break of four weeks or more.

Due to the anti-mineralocorticoid activity of drospirenone, there is also a documented risk of Hyperkalemia (elevated serum potassium), which requires the monitoring of potassium levels, especially when co-administered with other potassium-increasing medications.


Population-Specific Safety Limitations

Specific safety considerations lead to contraindications for high-risk groups. The medication is contraindicated for females over 35 who smoke due to a significantly increased risk of serious cardiovascular events. It is also restricted in individuals with severe renal impairment, hepatic impairment, or adrenal insufficiency. Additionally, the medication must be discontinued at least four weeks before and through two weeks after major surgery or during prolonged immobilization due to vascular risk. Use during lactation may also reduce milk production.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

The official regulatory profile for an acute overdose of Kir 28 (Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol) indicates that serious toxicity is not expected. The information is based on governmental regulatory documents that address specific symptoms and required emergency actions, avoiding any mechanism of action or therapeutic claims.

Overdose Profile and Symptoms

Feature Official Regulatory Statement
Documented Manifestations Nausea and vaginal bleeding (withdrawal bleeding) are the only symptoms explicitly cited in official labeling for an acute overdose.
Severity Classification The acute overdose is generally associated with low toxicity; no serious or life-threatening outcomes are explicitly documented.
Treatment Management No specific antidote is known. Management, as officially described, is symptomatic and supportive care.
Population Considerations No distinct population-specific overdose considerations (e.g., pediatric, hepatic impairment) are documented in the acute overdose section.

Emergency Actions Required

Regardless of the low acute toxicity profile, regulatory guidance strictly defines the help-seeking condition as requiring immediate action when overdose is suspected. Urgent medical attention is required immediately. Individuals should contact their local Poison Help line or equivalent emergency medical services for immediate guidance on management. This action is mandated by regulatory bodies upon the suspicion of overdose.

Therapeutic Uses of Kir 28

What Kir 28 treats: Main Uses and Benefits

The primary purpose of Kir 28 is to provide systemic contraception for females of reproductive potential. The medication is commonly used to help with conditions presenting with recurrent or episodic manifestations, such as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and moderate acne vulgaris. This essential use may assist with supporting a more consistent cycle pattern, which contributes to easing discomfort related to irregular periods or heavy menstrual flow.

Kir 28 is applied in addressing symptom clusters that can become intense or disruptive, including anxiety, irritability, and physical discomfort such as bloating. This therapeutic support provides supportive relief when these symptoms interfere with routine activities. It is considered relevant for the management of moderate acne in women who select this type of oral contraceptive, providing support for visible manifestations like papules and pustules.

“This therapeutic support may assist with easing the overall burden of these manifestations.”


Quick Fact: Supportive Management for Cyclical Discomfort Kir 28 supports general well-being by helping manage symptoms of severe cyclical mood distress and fluid retention-related discomfort.

Regulatory References

  1. Health Canada Product Monograph

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Kir 28 is officially allowed for use by females of reproductive potential seeking contraception and by those at least 14 years of age who have achieved menarche. Use is not indicated in the geriatric population.

Regulatory labeling establishes several absolute contraindications (must not use):

Contraindicated Group
Females over 35 years of age who smoke
Individuals with current or past thrombotic disorders (e.g., DVT, PE, stroke) or inherited thrombophilias
Patients with renal impairment or adrenal insufficiency
Patients with liver tumors or hepatic impairment/disease
Individuals with known or suspected hormone-sensitive cancers (e.g., breast cancer)
Uncontrolled hypertension or undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding
Known or suspected pregnancy

Use is restricted in other populations. For example, the medicine is contraindicated during pregnancy, and its use is not recommended for nursing mothers, as it can reduce milk production. Temporary cessation is required at least four weeks before major surgery. Patients with diabetes or well-controlled hypertension require careful monitoring.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

The official regulatory profile for Kir 28 (Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol) is defined by several interaction types, including formal contraindications and pharmacodynamic effects on serum potassium.

Interaction Classifications

Classification Interacting Agents Official Outcome (Regulatory Description)
Contraindicated Combination Hepatitis C Regimens (e.g., Ombitasvir, Paritaprevir, Ritonavir) Co-administration is formally prohibited due to the risk of liver enzyme elevations.
Pharmacodynamic Interaction Potassium-Increasing Medications (e.g., ACE Inhibitors, ARBs, Heparin) Increased potential for hyperkalemia related to Drospirenone's antimineralocorticoid activity.
Metabolic Interaction Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors (e.g., Azole Antifungals, some HIV/HCV Protease Inhibitors) Officially documented to increase the plasma concentration (exposure) of Drospirenone.
Exposure-Altering Substances CYP Enzyme Inducers (e.g., certain Anticonvulsants) May decrease the contraceptive effectiveness and increase breakthrough bleeding.

Population and Product Restrictions

Use is contraindicated in females with renal impairment or adrenal insufficiency as these conditions heighten the hyperkalemia risk associated with the pharmacodynamic interaction. Additionally, strong CYP-inducing herbal products are documented to potentially reduce the medication's effectiveness.

The regulatory basis establishes that co-administration with potassium-increasing agents or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors requires considering monitoring serum potassium concentration, particularly for long-term use.

Mechanism of Action

Primary Biological Target and Signal Modulation

Kir 28 modulates specific physiological responses by acting on defined biological targets to modulate signaling across specific pathways involving heightened or altered activity. It selectively binds to a primary receptor system, serving to either initiate or, more commonly, attenuate or decrease the magnitude of a signaling event at the cellular level.

Influence on Downstream Signaling Cascades

Beyond the initial binding, Kir 28 affects well-characterized molecular cascades by modifying the movement of intracellular messengers. This action decreases the intensity of pathway activation within defined neural or humoral pathways, thereby contributing to pathway activity reduction and shaping the drug's overall effect profile.

Influence on Regulatory System Activity

The combined mechanistic activity contributes to the reduction of activity within regulatory systems. By adjusting activity within these key pathways, Kir 28 influences the magnitude of physiological responses resulting from pathway activation, which constitutes the core mechanism underlying the drug's targeted effect profile.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Kir 28: Administration Guidelines

The usage of Kir 28 is defined by a continuous, standardized daily schedule, based on prescribing information. The medication is an oral tablet and must be administered systemically by mouth.


Dosing and Schedule

Administration follows a 28-day cyclic pattern, where one tablet is taken once daily at the same time every day. This consistency is essential to maintaining the intended hormonal levels. The common dose involves either 21 or 24 consecutive days of active tablets, followed by the remaining days of inert/placebo tablets, which completes the 28-day cycle.

Classification Instruction Summary
Route of Administration Oral only
Standard Dose One tablet daily (active or placebo)
Timing Condition Must be taken at the same time every day
Intake Condition Can be taken without regard to meals

Procedural Administration Rules

Usage involves following a precise sequence: the tablets must be taken in the order directed on the blister pack. A new 28-day pack is started immediately after the previous pack is finished, without interruption. To initiate the first cycle, administration may begin on the first day of the menstrual period (Day 1 Start) or the first Sunday following its onset (Sunday Start). If initiation occurs later than Day 1, a non-hormonal back-up method must be utilized for the first seven consecutive days of use.

Age-Specific Rule: The standard adult dose is also applicable for adolescents 14 years of age and older who have already achieved menarche. In the event of a missed active tablet, it should be taken as soon as possible, and subsequent tablets should be continued at the usual time, following provided instructions.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Kir 28

The research on the agent known as Kir 28 primarily focuses on conditions characterized by fluctuating or episodic manifestations that involve certain genetic changes, most commonly in the KIT gene, such as different forms of Systemic Mastocytosis and some types of solid tumors. Research studies are used to explore how these agents affect the body and what patterns are observed in patients who receive them.

Evidence for Use in Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis (AdvSM)

For Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis—a group of rare conditions that includes aggressive forms and mast cell leukemia—research has been conducted using Phase 2, single-arm, open-label studies. These studies was studied for adults with confirmed AdvSM, including those who had received prior treatments. In these research settings, research examined outcomes related to systemic or functional imbalance, such as organ damage markers and blood cell counts. Findings describe patterns observed in the studies, including measured changes in these markers in a portion of the populations involved in the non-randomized studies. Study results reflect the specific conditions under which they were conducted, and research provides context but not individual predictions.

Evidence for Use in Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis (ISM)

Research was evaluated in adult patients with Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis (ISM), a condition where symptoms may vary in intensity, using Phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled studies. These large-scale trials evaluated adult patients who had moderate-to-severe symptoms and met the specific inclusion criteria for prior symptomatic care, comparing the agent against a placebo. The main outcomes was studied for patient-reported outcomes describing perceived discomfort. Research highlights changes measured during the study period, detailing the measured patterns related to symptom scores observed in the two groups.

What is Still Uncertain About Kir 28 Research

Despite the research conducted, several areas of uncertainty remain. Comparative evidence is lacking for AdvSM, as the main studies were single-arm. Long-term effects are not fully established, and subgroup findings remain uncertain. Research does not determine whether an individual will respond similarly. Limited information also exists regarding the agent in certain special populations, such as patients with specific organ impairments.

How should Kir 28 be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Kir 28

The storage and disposal of Kir 28 (Drospirenone/Ethinyl Estradiol) must align with official regulatory requirements to maintain product stability and safety.


Storage Conditions

Requirement Details
Temperature Range Store at Controlled Room Temperature, between 20°C and 25°C (68°F and 77°F). Brief excursions up to 30°C (86°F) are permitted.
Protection Tablets must be protected from excessive heat, moisture, and direct light.
Container Rule Keep the medicine in its original container or blister pack and out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal Instructions

Official instructions mandate that unused or expired Kir 28 tablets must not be flushed down the toilet or placed in household trash. Patients should dispose of the product through an established medicine take-back program or by following the guidance of a local pharmacist or waste authority.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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Equivalent of Kir 28 found in:

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