Drospirenone (Slinda)

• 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 anaemia.
• 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 huge changes in the hormone levels in your body 
• Weight gain
• Decreased sexual drive

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

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

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

• 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.
  

• 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 of the pack:  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), check with your doctor to find out if you are pregnant before continuing to take the next cycle of contraceptives.

If you vomit or suffer from diarrhea 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.