Slinda® (Drospirenone 4mg) tablets are progestogen-only pills, used for the prevention of pregnancy. Learn how to use the medication, side effects, special precautions, and more.

What is this medication for?

Slinda® (Drospirenone 4mg) tablets are progestogen-only pills, used for the prevention of pregnancy.

How should I take or use this medication?

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• This medication should be taken after food.
• Each pack contains 24 white (active) tablets and 4 green (inactive) tablets = 28 tablets.
• You should take one tablet daily for 28 days in a row, preferably at the same time every day. You must take the tablets in the correct sequence i.e. start each pack with the white (active) tablets, followed by the green (inactive) tablets. 
• The next pack is started after the last tablet of the previous pack. Withdrawal bleeding usually starts on day 2-3 after starting the green (inactive) tablets and may not have finished before the next pack is started.
• A back-up non-hormonal contraceptive method such as condoms, are usually recommended for the first seven days of taking Slinda®, for e.g. if you start on Days 2-5 of your period, you should use a back-up non-hormonal contraceptive method for the first 7 days of tablet-taking. However, no additional contraceptive precautions are necessary if Slinda® is taken for the following scenarios below:
  • Day 1 of menstrual cycle (pregnancy should be ruled out before starting the medication).
  • Immediately after miscarriage or abortion.
  • Day 21-28 after childbirth whether you are breastfeeding or not.
  • When switching immediately from another progestogen-only pill (no break between switch in pills), implant, injection or intrauterine device.
  • When switching from a combined pill (COC), vaginal ring or transdermal patch without any tablet-, ring- or patch-free break.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

There is no action needed if you have missed the green (inactive) tablets; however, you must follow the steps below if you miss any of your 24 white (active) tablets to ensure that contraception effect is not reduced.

Within 24 hours:

Take the missed tablet as soon as remembered, then continue taking the next one at your usual time.

More than 24 hours:

If the missed tablet is during

• Days 1-7 of the pack: 
  • Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember, even if it means taking 2 tablets at the same time. 
  • Continue to take your tablets at your usual time. 
  • Use a barrier method such as a condom for the next 7 days.
• Days 8-17 of the pack: 
  • Take the missed tablet as soon as you remember, even if it means taking 2 tablets at the same time. 
  • Continue to take your tablets at your usual time. 
  • If you have taken your tablets correctly in the 7 days before the first missed tablet, there is no need to use extra contraceptive precautions. However, if this is not the case, or you have missed more than 1 tablet, use a barrier method such as a condom for the next 7 days.
• Days 18-24: Depending on whether you have taken your tablets correctly in the 7 days before the first missed tablet, you would have to follow the following options: 

**If you miss your period (especially with missed tablets), consult your doctor to determine if you are pregnant before continuing to take the next cycle of contraceptives.

If you vomit or suffer from diarrhoea within 3 to 4 hours of taking this medication, the tablet may not be absorbed. This is considered a missed dose. You should then follow the instructions above. 

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
• You have a history of or current medical conditions such as liver problems, kidney problems, high potassium levels, stroke, clotting disorders, heart diseases, migraine headaches, epilepsy (fits), diabetes or cancer.

What are some common side effects of this medication?

• Spotting or bleeding may occur between your menses during the first few months of taking Slinda®. With continued use, some patients may not have menses at all while taking Slinda®. This is normal. Inform your doctor:
  • If you do not have your menses AND you have not been taking your tablets correctly (i.e. missed doses) because there is a need to rule out pregnancy. 
  • If you are having heavy and continuous bleeding as it may lead to a condition known as anaemia (a lack of healthy red blood cells in the body).
  • If you are having any other abnormal vaginal bleeding.
• Stomach discomfort such as nausea and vomiting
  • Take it after food to minimise gastric side effects
• Breast tenderness
• Headache
  • You may take painkillers such as Paracetamol to manage headaches
• Acne
• Mood changes (mood swings or low mood)
  • Take the medication at the same time every day to avoid big changes in the hormone levels in your body 
• Weight gain
• Decreased sexual drive

Inform your doctor if the side effects above become severe and bothersome.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

Very rarely, this medication may cause:

• Very bad, unusual headache
• Sudden changes to your sight or speech
• Very bad pain in your chest
• Unusual pain or swelling of your legs
• Dark urine or light coloured stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellowing of your eyes or skin

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

• Some medications might interact with this medication. Check with your healthcare professional if you want to take any other medicines, supplements or herbal products.
• If you see another healthcare professional, inform him that you are taking this medication before he prescribes any other medications.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children. 

How do I throw away this medication safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin. 

Disclaimer

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on April 2024