Generic Name: drospirenone
Brand Name: Slynd

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 5, 2019.

• Uses
• Warnings
• Dosage
• What to avoid
• Side effects
• Interactions

What is Slynd?

Slynd (drospirenone) is a progestin only birth control pill (oral contraceptive).

Slynd help to lower the chance of becoming pregnant when taken as directed.

Your chance of getting pregnant depends on how well you follow the directions for taking your birth control pills. The better you follow the directions, the less chance you have of getting pregnant.

Slynd does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Warnings

Drospirenone increase potassium levels in your blood. You should not take Slynd if you have kidney, liver or adrenal disease because this could cause serious heart problems as well as other health problems. Other medicines may also increase potassium levels in your blood. If you are currently on daily, long-term treatment for a chronic health condition with any of the medicines listed below, talk to your healthcare provider about whether Slynd is right for you. If you take any of the medicines listed below for a chronic health condition you should have a blood test to check the potassium level in your blood before you start taking this medicine and during the first month that you take Slynd:

• medicines to treat fungal infections, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, or voriconazole,

• medicines to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection or Hepatitis C infection, such as indinavir or boceprevir,

• clarithromycin.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Slynd if you are allergic to drospirenone, or if you have:

• an adrenal gland disorder;

• kidney disease;

• unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor;

• liver disease or liver cancer; or

• a history of hormone-related cancer, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.

To make sure Slynd is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• high levels of potassium in your blood;

• a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;

• diabetes (drospirenone may increase your blood sugar);

• depression; or

• liver or kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Stop taking Slynd if you become pregnant.

Slynd is not approved for any female who has not yet had a menstrual period.

How should I take Slynd?

Take Slynd exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Slynd comes in a pack of pills that are different colors. Take a white (active) pill every day for 24 days in a row, and then take a green (inactive) pill for the next 4 days in a row. Then start a new pack and repeat this daily cycle.

Take your first pill on the first day of your period. If you are switching to this medicine from another form of birth control, follow the Instructions for Use about when you start taking Slynd.

Each time you start a new pack, start with the first tablet in the first row of pills. Your medicine may come with stickers to mark your weekday schedule on the pack.

Take Slynd at the same time each day.

Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.

You may need to use back-up birth control, such as condoms with spermicide, when you first start using Slynd.

If you vomit or have diarrhea within 3 to 4 hours after taking a Slynd tablet, take your next daily tablet as soon as possible or within 12 hours of the usual time you take your pill. Then keep taking 1 pill every day in order at the usual time.

You may have breakthrough bleeding, especially during the first 3 months. Tell your doctor if this bleeding continues or is very heavy.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Slynd.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Follow the patient instructions provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions. Missing a pill increases your risk of becoming pregnant.

If you miss 1 active pill, take the pill as soon as you remember. Then take 1 pill per day for the rest of the pack.

If you miss 2 or more active pills in a row, take only the last of the missed pills as soon as you remember. From the next day forward, take 1 pill per day for the rest of the pack (throw out the other missed pills). Use back-up birth control for at least 7 days following the missed pills.

If you miss a period, call your doctor because you might be pregnant.

If you miss an inactive pill, skip the missed pill(s) and keep keep taking 1 inactive pill per day until the pack is empty.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose may cause vomiting or vaginal bleeding.

What to avoid

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Slynd side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Slynd: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor or seek emergency medical help if you have severe pain in your lower stomach or side. This could be a sign of a tubal pregnancy (a pregnancy that implants in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus). A tubal pregnancy is a medical emergency.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe or ongoing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;

• high potassium level - nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement;

• signs of a stroke - sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;

• signs of a blood clot - sudden vision loss, stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, coughing up blood, pain or warmth in one or both legs;

• liver problems - loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• symptoms of depression - sleep problems, weakness, tired feeling, mood changes.

Common Slynd side effects may include:

• vaginal bleeding, menstrual cramps;

• breast pain or tenderness;

• headache;

• nausea;

• acne;

• weight gain; or

• decreased sex drive.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Slynd?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can interact with drospirenone, especially:

• St. John's wort;

• an antibiotic or antifungal medicine; or

• antiviral medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with drospirenone. Some drugs can make this medicine less effective, which may result in pregnancy. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Slynd only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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