What is Slynd?
Slynd contains only progestin. Slynd can help reduce the chances of getting pregnant if taken as directed.
How well you take your birth control pill depends on your chances of getting pregnant. You have a lower chance of becoming pregnant if you take your birth control pills as directed. Slynd is not a protection against HIV (AIDS) or other sexually transmissible diseases (stds).
Warnings
Drospirenone increases potassium levels in the blood. Slynd should not be taken if you suffer from kidney, liver, or adrenal diseases. This could lead to serious health problems. Other medications may also cause potassium levels to increase in your blood. Slynd may be right for you if you're currently taking daily long-term treatment to treat a chronic condition. You should get a blood test before starting Slynd and for the first month of taking it if you are currently on any of the following medicines to treat a chronic condition.
- Ketoconazole (or itraconazole) or voriconazole is a medicine that treats fungal infections.
- Indinavir and boceprevir are medicines that treat HIV infection or hepatitis C.
Before you take this drug
Slynd should not be used if:
- An adrenal gland disorder
- Kidney disease
- Unusual vaginal bleeding not checked by a physician;
- Liver disease or liver cancer
- A history of cancers of the breast, uterus, cervix, or vagina
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Slynd will be safe for you:
- High potassium levels in the blood
- A stroke or blood clot.
- Diabetes (drospirenone can increase your blood glucose);
- Is a depressive
- Liver or kidney disease
Inform your physician if you are pregnant or nursing. If you become pregnant, stop taking Slynd. Slynd cannot be used by women who have not had their first menstrual cycle.
How to take Slynd?
Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instructions sheets. Read all the instructions on the prescription label. Please carefully read and heed all instructions that accompany your medication. If you don't understand the instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Slynd is available in different coloured pills. Take one white (active pill) every day for a period of 24 consecutive days, then four green (inactive pill) pills. Start a new pack and repeat the daily cycle.
You should take your first pill the day after your period. Follow the instructions for when to start taking Slynd if you are switching from another birth control method. Start each new pack with the first pill in the first row. You may receive stickers that mark the weekdays on your medicine pack. Slynd should be taken at the same time every day. Do not chew or crush the tablet. When you first begin using Slynd, you may need to use a backup birth control method, such as spermicide condoms.
If you vomit or experience diarrhea in the first 3 to 4 hours following a Slynd pill, you should take your next tablet as soon as possible or within 12 hours of your usual pill time. Continue taking one pill daily at the same time.
You may experience bleeding during the first three months. If this bleeding is heavy or continues, tell your doctor. It can interfere with certain medical tests. Slynd can affect the results of certain medical tests. Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Please read the instructions that come with your medication. If you don't understand the instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You are more likely to become pregnant if you miss a pill. Take the active pill as soon as you remember and continue taking one per day until the pack has run its course.
Take only the last pill you missed if you have missed two or more pills. Take 1 pill per dose for the remainder of the pack starting the following day (throw away the missed pills). After the missed pill, use a backup birth control method for at least seven days. Call your doctor if you have missed a period. You might be pregnant. If you forget to take an inactive tablet, continue taking one inactive tablet per day until your pack is empty.
What happens if I overdose?
Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. An overdose can cause nausea or bleeding in the vaginal area.
What should be avoided?
If your doctor prescribes any restrictions regarding food, beverages or activities for you to consume or do, make sure you follow their advice.
Side effects of Slynd
If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing or swelling of lips, face, tongue, or throat then immediate medical help should be sought immediately.
If you experience severe pain on your side or lower stomach, call your doctor immediately or go to an emergency room. This could indicate a tubal (or uterine) pregnancy. A tubal pregnancy can be a medical emergency.
If you experience:
- Severe or persistent nausea or vomiting;
- High potassium level: nausea, weakness, and tingling sensations;
- Signs and symptoms of stroke: sudden numbness, weakness, or headaches (especially one side), slurred or shaky speech, or problems with vision, balance, or coordination;
- Signs of a Blood Clot: sudden vision loss, stabbing pain in the chest, feeling short of breath, coughing blood, or pain or warmth on one or both legs
- Liver disorders: fatigue, nausea, dark urine, and clay-coloured stools. Jaundice: yellowing of the skin, eyes, or lips.
- Symptoms of depression include sleep problems, fatigue, feeling weak, and mood changes.
Slynd can cause a variety of side effects.
- Menstrual cramps and vaginal bleeding
- Breast pain or tenderness
- Headache;
- Nausea;
- Acne;
- Weight gain or weight gain.
- Reduced sex desire
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Interaction with other drug
Inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking. Drospirenone can interact with many drugs, including:
- John's Wort;
- Antifungal or antibacterial medicine
- Antiviral medication to treat HIV and hepatitis C
The list of drugs that may interact with drospirenone is not exhaustive. This medicine can be made less effective by some drugs, which could lead to pregnancy. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all drug interactions.
