About
Slynd® is a progestogen-only pill (POP) indicated for contraception and it is the first oestrogen-free drospirenone POP in the UK.1,2
Missed pill window
Slynd® is the only POP in the UK with a 24 hour missed pill window.1,2 If >24 hours late contraceptive protection may be reduced, and users need to be guided on what to do.1
Missed any white (active tablet)1
Contraceptive protection may be reduced. A barrier method such as a condom should be considered for the next 7 days.
The missed tablet should be taken as soon as remembered, even if this means taking two tablets at the same time. Following this, tablets are taken at the usual time. If tablets were missed in the first week after initiation and intercourse took place in the week before the tablets were missed, the possibility of a pregnancy should be considered.
If tablets were missed in the third week of pill taking, the risk of reduced reliability is imminent because of the forthcoming 4-day HFI. However, by adjusting the tablet intake schedule, reduced contraceptive protection can still be prevented. The last missed tablet should be taken as soon as remembered, even if this means taking two tablets at the same time. Then continue to take the active tablets at the usual time. Do not take the placebo pills and continue straight on to the next active blister pack.
Missed any green (placebo tablet)1
This can be disregarded. However, any missed tablets should be discarded to avoid unintentionally prolonging the interval between active tablet taking.
Please refer to SmPC and prescribing information for more information.
Bleeding control and acceptability
During clinical development, Slynd® acceptability was high, with lower bleeding-related drop-out rates vs. desogestrel 75 µg.3-5
Bleeding profile: drospirenone 4 mg vs. desogestrel 75 𝜇g
The bleeding profile of a 24/4 regimen of drospirenone 4 mg/placebo (n=858) vs. continuous 28-day regimen of desogestrel 75 𝜇g (n=332) over 9 cycles was assessed in a multicentre, double-blind, randomised (5:2), phase III study. 5
Primary endpoint
The proportion of individuals with unscheduled bleeding/ spotting days in each cycle from cycles 2–9 and cumulative in cycles 2–4 and cycles 7–9. 5
Secondary endpoint
Number of bleeding/spotting days during cycles 2–4, 7–9 and 2–9 and proportion of subjects with no bleeding/ spotting. 5
Study outcomes: Bleeding Primary endpoint measure
Study outcomes: Secondary bleeding endpoint
Experience of episodes of prolonged bleeding
Woman’s bleeding experience
Each woman’s bleeding experience with Slynd® will differ.2
As with all POPs, bleeding with Slynd® can be unpredictable. Women may experience scheduled bleeding (during the HFI), unscheduled bleeding, or no bleeding at all. Women report bleeding with Slynd® to be light or moderate, and both scheduled and unscheduled bleeding have been seen to decrease over the first year of use.2
Within 9–12 months of Slynd® use, 30% of women will experience amenorrhoea.2
Understanding Slynd’s Safety and Tolerability
Slynd® has demonstrated an acceptable tolerability profile.1
Slynd® was generally well-tolerated by participants during clinical trials. The most commonly reported adverse events (AEs) in long-term clinical trials of >9 cycles of treatment with Slynd® (2,700 women) were acne (3.8%), metrorrhagia (2.9%), headache (2.7%), and breast pain (2.2%)
AE, adverse event; FSRH, Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare; HFI, hormone free interval; POP, progestogen-only pill; UKMEC, UK Medical Eligibility Criteria.
1. Slynd® Summary of Product Characteristics. 2. FSRH Clinical Guidelines progestogen-only pills. 07/2023. 3. Palacios, S., et al. BMC Women’s Health. 2020. 20:218. 4. Archer, D.F., et al. Contraception. 2015. 92:439-444. 5. Palacios, S., et al. Arch Gynae Obs. 2019. 300:1805-1812.6. Palacios, S., et al. PLOS ONE. 2020. 15(6):e0231856.
