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glossary

How to get started with Slinda?
Dos and Don'ts while consuming Slinda
How will I be protected against pregnancy?
Commonly asked questions
1. Pregnancy
2. Breast feeding
3. Smoking

What to expect when prescribed Slinda?
What steps should I take if I miss the pill?
Busting Myths
Side effects
Restrictions

A progesterone only pill containing drospirenone 4 mg.
It is used to prevent pregnancy.
It should be taken orally at or around the same time every ^1,2

How to get started
with Slinda ¹

Single pack of Slinda contains 28 tablets with 24 white (active) tablets and 4 green (inactive) tablets.

You should take the first Slinda tablet on the first day of your regular period if you have a natural cycle and have not taken a hormonal contraceptive in the past month. You will immediately be covered for contraception if you follow this procedure.

If you start Slinda on days 2-5 of your menstrual period you will have to take the active white Slinda tablets continuously for at least 7 days to avoid pregnancy. During these 7 days, you may require additional barrier protection while having sex to stay protected against pregnancy.

If you're switching from a vaginal ring or a combination pill (one that contains oestrogen); then you can rely on Slinda as a form of contraception right away if you start using it the day following your last active pill or the day you take off your vaginal ring. If it is longer than a day after stopping the last active pill or removal of the vaginal ring, you will have to take the active white Slinda pill for seven days before you can rely on it for contraception. You may require an extra barrier contraception like condoms during these 7 days to prevent pregnancy.

Similar efficacy like COCs in overweight & obese women ⁷

24-hr pill-free window offers similar efficacy like COCs

Slinda has a high cardiovascular safety profile in women with CV risk factors ³

Slinda shows low risk of stroke ³

It reduces water retention in the body due to its water eliminating property ^4,5

It is associated with decreased unscheduled bleeding or spotting days ⁶

It also acts against hormones that cause acne and unwanted hair growth on certain parts of the body (hirsutism) among women ^4,5

Do_s and Don’ts
when consuming Slinda^8-10

Dos

You should follow the dosing regimen as prescribed by your physician

You should try taking medication at the same time every day ¹

You should use backup contraception if you start Slinda five days before the onset of menses. You should use a backup contraceptive (e.g. condoms) method for the first 48 hours if Slinda is started within the first five days of menses ²

You should consult your doctor on when to stop the pill if you are considering pregnancy ¹

You should consult your doctor for the best contraceptive depending on your condition ¹

Don'ts

You should not miss the pill. You can follow the missed pill information if you happen to miss a pill

Do not panic in case your periods become irregular, lighter or more frequent ¹

Do not take Slinda in case you are pregnant ¹

Do not stop taking the pill without consulting your physician. Consult your doctor if you are considering pregnancy and want to stop the pill ¹

 Dos
You should follow the dosing regimen as prescribed by your physician
 Don'ts
                        
You should not miss the pill. You can follow the missed pill information if you happen to
                                miss a pill
 Dos
 You should try taking medication at the same time every day 1
                            
 Don'ts
                        
Do not panic in case your periods become irregular, lighter or more frequent 1
 Dos
 You should use backup contraception if you start Slinda five days before the onset of
                                menses. You should use a backup contraceptive (e.g. condoms) method for the first 48
                                hours
                                if Slinda is started within the first five days of menses 2
                            
 Don'ts
                        
Do not take Slinda in case you are pregnant 1
 Dos
You should consult your doctor on when to stop the pill if you are considering pregnancy
                                1
 Don'ts
                        
Do not stop taking the pill without consulting your physician. Consult your doctor if you
                                are
                                considering pregnancy and want to stop the pill 1
 Dos
You should consult your doctor for the best contraceptive depending on your condition
                                1

What steps should I take
if I miss taking the pill^11,12

If you forget to take Slinda, follow these steps:

Late Pill

If you are less than 24 hours late, this is considered a "late pill". If this happens, you should:

Take the late pill as soon as you remember, then take the next pill at the usual time - you may end up taking two pills on the same day and you will still be protected against unintended pregnancy

Missed Pill

If you are more than 24 hours late, this is considered a "missed pill" and you may be at risk of unintended pregnancy. If this happens, you should:

Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, take the next pill at the usual time - you may end up taking two pills on the same day, throw away the other missed pills, and continue taking pills as usual
You will not be protected against unintended pregnancy until you have taken 7 days of hormone (active) pills
If you have less than 7 days until the green inactive pills, skip the inactive pills and continue straight onto the next packet of active pills. Use another form of contraception (such as condoms) or don't have sex until you have taken 7 pills correctly (that is, for the next 7 days)

Emergency contraception, if

Missed a pill in the first 7 days of starting a new pack of pills and have had unprotected sex in the previous 5 days, start a new pack not more than 24 hours late
Have unprotected sex in the 7 days after missing a pill
Missed a pill or have missed other hormone pills in the 7 days
Talk to your healthcare provider about the best emergency contraceptive pill for you

Inactive Pill

In case you forget to take a green inactive pill, skip the missed pill days and continue taking one tablet a day until the pack is finished

How Sooner will i be protected
against pregnancy? ¹²

How to get started with Slinda on days 2-5 of your menstrual period you will have to take the active white Slinda tablets continuously for at least 7 days to avoid pregnancy
During these 7 days, you may require additional barrier protection while having sex to stay protected against pregnancy
Before you start taking Slinda, you must take active (white) tablets for 7 days. If you have missed them taking from the first day of your period, Slinda should be taken preferably at or around the same time every day.

Busting
Myths^13-16

MYTH

Using a birth control pill can cause infertility

FACT

Infertility due to birth control pills is a myth. Low dose hormonal contraceptives do not have a negative effect on the ability of women to conceive following termination of use regardless of its duration and type and it doesn’t significantly delay fertility ¹

MYTH

Birth control pills can prevent sexually transmitted diseases

FACT

Birth control methods like: pill, patch, ring, and IUD are very effective for preventing pregnancy, but they do not protect against STDs and HIV ³

MYTH

Birth control pills should not be taken by those who have suffered stroke in the past

FACT

While combined oral contraceptives can increase the risk of stroke, new generation POPs like Slinda, do not increase the risk of stroke ⁴

Commonly asked
questions

IS Slinda safe for smokers? ¹⁷

Yes, Slinda is considered safe for smokers. There were zero cases of venous thromboembolism reported in >25000 menstrual cycles.

Can I take Slinda if I am breastfeeding? ¹⁸

Yes, you can take Slinda while breastfeeding as negligible amounts of drospirenone are excreted in the breast milk. The daily dose of drospirenone in the baby is <1U+0025 of the maternal dose. Thus, at therapeutic doses of Drospirenone (Slinda), no effects on the breastfed newborns/infants are anticipated.

Can I take Slinda if I am pregnant? ¹⁹

Do not use Slinda if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy. You may need to discontinue Slinda in case you suspect a pregnancy or are pregnant. Seek advice from your healthcare provider or gynecologist.

Is Slinda safe for women above 35 with comorbidities? ²⁰

Women over the age of 35 are anything but old, but the gynecologist will take a closer look from this age onwards. Because women over the age of 35 have an increased risk of complications such as heart attacks, strokes and venous thrombosis due to estrogen-containing contraceptives.

Side Effects
of Slinda²¹

Restrictions
when having Slinda²²

Slinda should not be used in presence of any of the conditions listed below. If any of the conditions appear for the first time while using Slinda, it should be discontinued immediately.