Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

To make using oral contraceptives as safe and reliable as possible, you should understand how and when to take them and what effects may be expected.

This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

This medicine is available in blister packs. Each blister pack contains 28 tablets with different colors that need to be taken in the same order as directed on the blister pack.

Take this medicine at the same time each day. Birth control pills work best when no more than 24 hours pass between doses.

Do not skip or delay taking your pill by more than 24 hours. If you miss a dose, you could get pregnant. Ask your doctor for ways to help you remember to take your pills or about using another method of birth control.

You may have light bleeding or spotting when you first take the pill.

You may feel sick or nauseated, especially during the first few months that you take this medicine. If your nausea is continuous and does not go away, call your doctor.

Use another form of birth control if you vomit or have diarrhea within 3 to 4 hours of using the pills until you check with your doctor.

If you are switching from another birth control method (eg, intrauterine device, pill, transdermal patch, vaginal ring) to using Slynd™, take the medicine on the day you would have usually taken your next pill. Do not continue taking the pills from your previous birth control pack. If you have used an intrauterine device (IUD), vaginal ring, or patch, take the pill on the day the IUD, ring, or patch is removed.

If you are switching from a progestin-only method (eg, implant, injection) to using Slynd™, take the medicine on the day you would have removed your implant or on the day you would have your next injection.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

Your doctor will ask you to begin your dose on the first day of your menstrual period (called Day 1 start). When you begin on a certain day it is important that you follow that schedule, even if you miss a dose. Do not change your schedule on your own. If the schedule that you use is not convenient, check with your doctor about changing it.

  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • For contraception (to prevent pregnancy):
      • Adults—One white tablet (active) taken at the same time each day for 24 days in a row followed by one green (inert) tablet once a day for the last 4 days per menstrual cycle.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

This medicine has specific patient instructions on what to do if you miss a dose. Read and follow these instructions carefully and call your doctor if you have any questions.

  • If you miss one white pill: Take it as soon as you can. Then take your next pill at the regular time. This means, you may take 2 pills in one day. Continue taking 1 pill every day until you finish the pack.
  • If you miss 2 or more white pills: Take a pill as soon as you can. Then take your next pill at the regular time. This means, you may take 2 pills in one day. Continue taking 1 pill every day until you finish the pack. One or more missed white pills will remain in the blister pack. Use a second form of birth control (eg, condom, spermicide) until you have been taking white pills for 7 days in a row.
  • If you miss 1 or more green pills: Take the next green pill at your regular time, every day until you finish the pack. This means 1 or more missed green pill will remain in the blister pack.
  • If you miss your pills and change your schedule, you may not have a period for that month. Make sure your doctor knows if you miss your period 2 months in a row, because you may be pregnant.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.