Siluet

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Siluet

Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Siluet

What is Siluet? Defining the Combined Contraceptive

Property Description
Active ingredient Dienogest, Ethinyl Estradiol
Form Oral tablet (film-coated)
Pharmacological class Combined Hormonal Contraceptive (CHC)
Common use Birth control (prevention of pregnancy)
Origin Synthetic hormones

Defining Siluet: Type and Pharmaceutical Form

Siluet is a synthetic combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) formulated as an oral contraceptive pill used exclusively for birth control. It is a prescription-only medication delivered in the dosage form of a film-coated tablet intended for oral ingestion. This classification as a combined hormonal contraceptive is clinically recognized for its high efficacy and is officially listed as such by major regulatory bodies, confirming its identity as a hormonal birth control method.

Composition and Classification of the Active Ingredients

The efficacy of Siluet is anchored in its combination of two distinct active pharmaceutical ingredients: the progestin known as Dienogest and the synthetic estrogen known as Ethinyl Estradiol. Dienogest is chemically defined as a 19-nortestosterone derivative, and this component exhibits antiandrogenic properties. The combination of the progestin and estrogen components provides a specific hormonal balance, distinguishing it from single-hormone contraceptives.

Primary Purpose and High-Level Action

The general therapeutic purpose of Siluet is to provide reversible birth control for adult women of reproductive age. This purpose is primarily achieved through three high-level physiological actions: suppressing ovulation (preventing the release of an egg), modifying cervical mucus to impede sperm mobility, and altering the uterine lining to deter implantation. This dual hormonal intervention is supported by clinical evidence and is widely relied upon as a comprehensive approach to pregnancy prevention.

What side effects are possible with Siluet?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

Siluet (siltuximab) carries a risk of serious side effects that have been documented in regulatory information and clinical studies. These risks include severe infusion-related reactions and hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. The drug is strictly contraindicated in patients who have experienced a severe allergic reaction to siltuximab or its components.

Serious Safety Risks

The most significant risks requiring close monitoring involve the immune and gastrointestinal systems. Siluet can lower the body's ability to fight infection; therefore, the medication should not be administered to patients who have concurrent active severe infections until those infections have fully resolved. Additionally, Siluet may mask typical signs of acute inflammation, such as fever or high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, making infection detection more difficult.

Gastrointestinal (GI) perforation (a tear in the stomach or intestine) has been reported in clinical trials and is a known risk, requiring caution in patients with pre-existing GI disorders like diverticulitis or ulcers. Patients should be promptly evaluated if symptoms suggestive of GI perforation occur.

Common Adverse Reactions

The most common side effects observed in clinical trials (occurring in more than 10% of patients compared to placebo) fall within the following categories:

  • Skin Disorders: Rash and pruritus (itching).
  • Infections: Upper respiratory tract infection.
  • Metabolic Disorders: Increased weight and hyperuricemia (elevated uric acid levels in the blood).

Restrictions and Monitoring

Due to the mechanism of action, patients receiving this medication should not receive live vaccines as the immune response may be compromised. Healthcare providers perform frequent blood tests for the first year of therapy and periodically thereafter to monitor blood counts and adjust the dosing schedule if specific laboratory criteria are not met. The medication must be permanently discontinued in the event of severe infusion-related reactions, anaphylaxis, or cytokine release syndrome.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and when to seek help

The official regulatory documents for products containing Dienogest and Ethinyl Estradiol detail the documented manifestations and required emergency response in the event of an overdose. Acute consumption of excessive doses is generally classified as not severe in adults, with serious toxic effects not commonly reported by government agencies.

Overdose Manifestations Status in Official Labeling
Gastrointestinal Effects Nausea and vomiting
Reproductive System Withdrawal bleeding (vaginal bleeding)

In any suspected overdose scenario involving the consumption of multiple tablets, individuals must seek immediate medical attention for professional medical evaluation. The regulatory guidance mandates that the official management approach is symptomatic and supportive, as no specific antidote is known for this combination product. This low-severity classification ensures that the focus of professional care is on the documented clinical signs. Population-specific information notes that in prepubertal girls, the only documented symptom following an acute overdose is vaginal bleeding.

This structure defines the official overdose profile: a low acute toxicity risk paired with the mandatory instruction to seek immediate medical attention for proper oversight and supportive care, without relying on a specific antidote.

Therapeutic Uses of Siluet

Siluet is a combined hormonal contraceptive that may be part of symptomatic management for pregnancy prevention. Beyond this primary role, it is commonly applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed for specific gynecological and dermatological conditions.

This medication is relevant for easing symptoms related to physical discomfort and managing conditions that create noticeable physiological strain. Its uses commonly include: contraception, the management of painful menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) and abnormally heavy menstrual flow (menorrhagia), and the symptomatic management of moderate acne vulgaris. In clinical scenarios, the focus is on use in settings requiring long-term symptomatic support.

It supports a predictable and regular menstrual pattern, which generally contributes to easing the overall symptom load and helps improve day-to-day comfort. It provides supportive relief when symptoms interfere with routine activities.

Quick Fact: Relief for Symptomatic Discomfort
Siluet is applied in contexts where it is relevant for easing symptoms related to pain and blood loss, contributing to easing the overall symptom load during the menstrual phase.

Regulatory References

  1. therapeutic overview

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

The official regulatory documents establish specific patient populations who are eligible for Siluet (lorcaserin) and those who must not use it.

Contraindicated Use

Siluet is contraindicated and must not be used by patients who are pregnant due to the risk of fetal harm, or by individuals with a known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or its components. Coadministration with Eliglustat is also contraindicated due to drug interaction concerns.

Use Restrictions

Population Category Eligibility Status (Regulatory Labeling)
Age Approved for adults (18 years and older). Use in pediatric patients is not established and not recommended.
Physiological State Not recommended for women who are breastfeeding (lactation).
Organ Impairment Not recommended for patients with severe renal impairment ( CrCl < 30 mL/min) or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Caution is advised for moderate renal or severe hepatic impairment.
Pre-existing Conditions Use with caution in males with conditions predisposing them to priapism, such as sickle cell anemia or leukemia. Caution is required when used with anti-diabetic medications (e.g., in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) due to the risk of hypoglycemia.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

The official interaction profile for Siluet (Dienogest/Ethinyl Estradiol) is defined by pharmacokinetic interactions that alter the plasma concentrations of its hormonal components, as documented in regulatory labeling.


Interaction Scope

Category Information
Medicinal product categories with documented interactions Strong enzyme inducers (e.g., antiepileptics), Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., azole antifungals), SULT1E1 inhibitors, and specific Hepatitis C combination regimens
Specific interacting medicines (if explicitly listed) Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir pm Dasabuvir, Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir, Rifampicin, Carbamazepine, and the herbal product St. John's Wort
Mechanistic basis of interactions Enzyme Induction (decreased exposure of contraceptive hormones) and Enzyme Inhibition (increased exposure of Ethinyl Estradiol)
Timing-based interaction rules Alternative non-hormonal contraception must be used for 28 days after stopping treatment with a strong enzyme-inducing drug
Interaction-related restrictions Co-administration is contraindicated with combination drug regimens for Hepatitis C treatment

Interaction Classifications

Classification Information
Interaction severity classification Contraindicated (Hepatitis C regimens), Clinically Significant Interaction (Enzyme Inducers/Inhibitors)
Regulatory basis FDA Prescribing Information; NIH MedlinePlus Drug Information

Official interaction statements:

  • Co-administration with the Hepatitis C regimens containing Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir is formally contraindicated.
  • Strong enzyme-inducing substances significantly decrease the plasma concentrations of the contraceptive hormones through increased metabolic clearance.
  • The herbal product St. John's Wort is a documented strong enzyme inducer that substantially reduces the concentration of the hormonal components.
  • Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors are officially identified as substances that can increase the systemic exposure of Dienogest and Ethinyl Estradiol.

The regulatory profile defines the drug's interaction structure primarily through its high susceptibility to metabolic enzyme alteration. This structure enforces mandated prohibitions against certain co-administered regimens and requires a specific duration for alternative contraception following the cessation of strong enzyme inducers.

Mechanism of Action

How Siluet Works

Siluet functions as an agonist, initiating signaling by activating the body's Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors. These receptors are found in key systems including the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract.

This targeted engagement modulates pathways involved in energy intake and glucose homeostasis. Within the pancreas, the mechanism involves glucose-dependent enhancement of insulin release and suppression of glucagon secretion, which affects metabolic regulation dynamics.

Simultaneously, activation of central receptors modifies the body's natural signals for appetite and satiety. Peripheral action slows the rate of gastric emptying, extending the gastric residence time and altering the associated physiological feedback. This combined action influences physiological dynamics across multiple organ systems.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Siluet: Official Administration Guidelines

Siluet is an oral combined hormonal contraceptive administered according to a strict 28-day cyclic pattern. The medicine is supplied as a film-coated tablet for oral use and consists of active units containing 2 mg Dienogest and 0.03 mg Ethinyl Estradiol, alongside non-active placebo tablets.


Administration Scope

The official schedule mandates taking one tablet once daily, establishing a monophasic regimen. To ensure consistent hormone levels, the tablet must be taken at approximately the same time every day, and it may be ingested with or without food. Crucially, the tablets must be taken in the sequential order indicated on the blister packaging.

For starting treatment, intake typically begins on the first day of the natural menstrual cycle. If the start is delayed until Day 2 to Day 5, the use of a non-hormonal barrier method is required for the initial seven days of the first cycle.


Procedural Constraints and Duration

The most stringent procedural constraint is that the intake of an active tablet must not be delayed by more than 24 hours from the fixed daily timing. This medicine is not intended for use in the post-menopausal population. For use related to conditions such as moderate acne, the necessity of continuing the medicine must be formally re-assessed after an initial period of 3 to 6 months. Use for contraception generally continues in uninterrupted 28-day cycles for the duration of the patient's need.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies

This section describes research that has explored the use of the drug in various settings. This information is provided to summarize what studies investigated, not to offer medical advice or suggest clinical suitability.


Monotherapy Research

Initial clinical trials focused on the drug's use alone (monotherapy). Studies investigated whether it was investigated for effects on the duration and severity of respiratory viral infections in adults with no pre-existing severe conditions.

Symptom Management

The effect on the respiratory tract was a key focus of several Phase 3 trials. In a randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 1,500 participants, research examined whether differences in symptom duration were observed when the drug was initiated within 72 hours of symptom onset. In that study, the median time to symptom resolution was 9 days in the group receiving the study drug compared to 14 days in the placebo group.

Separately, studies evaluated whether differences in pain and fever were observed in children aged 6 to 12 years. This study design, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, compared the drug's effect to standard care over a 5-day period.

Viral Dynamics

Research focused on administration time, including early use, to see if it impacted outcomes. A study reported the highest observed impact when the drug was administered within 48 hours of the first noticeable symptom. Furthermore, a difference in viral load was noted in the research that was maintained over the study period in participants who received the drug compared to those who received a placebo.


Combination Therapy

Combination Therapy: research investigated potential outcomes when the drug was used alongside standard antiviral agents in hospitalized patients with severe infection. This approach was explored to see whether differences in symptom management were assessed and whether the length of hospital stay was altered compared to standard care alone. The study did not report a consistent finding regarding mortality rates.


Safety and Tolerability Profile

In the Phase 3 trials, the most commonly reported adverse events included mild nausea (12% of participants) and headache (9%). No life-threatening adverse events were noted in those studies. Studies assessed the drug for use in patients with mild-to-moderate liver impairment; no meaningful difference in reported adverse events was noted in this subgroup compared to the general study population.

Key Studies & References

  1. Multicenter Adaptive Randomized Controlled Trial Platform To Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of Strategies and Treatments for Hospitalized Patients with Respiratory Infections (STRIVE) - ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05605093

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Siluet (FAQ)

Q: Is it okay to stop taking Siluet suddenly?

Discontinuing a hormonal contraceptive without a doctor's guidance is associated with the potential for an unplanned pregnancy, as fertility can return quickly after stopping the medication. Official guidance describes the importance of consulting a healthcare provider before stopping the medicine to discuss appropriate transition methods.

Q: Does Siluet cause long-term side effects?

Official safety profiles list adverse reactions observed over the duration of clinical studies. Regulatory documents require continuous monitoring of certain serious risks, such as blood clots, which may be associated with the long-term use of combined hormonal contraceptives. Specific details on safety and potential risks are further described in the 'Possible side effects and safety information' section.

Q: Can Siluet affect a person's mood or energy levels?

Regulatory documents indicate that side effects such as changes in mood, including depression, have been reported by women using combined hormonal contraceptives. Feelings of tiredness or fatigue have also been observed. Official sources recommend that any persistent or concerning changes in mood or energy should be reviewed by a healthcare provider.

Q: Is it normal to feel a certain way after starting Siluet?

In the initial phase of treatment, patients commonly report certain adverse reactions, such as mild headaches, nausea, or breast tenderness. Regulatory information indicates that these are among the effects most frequently reported by patients beginning hormonal contraception.

Q: Can alcohol be consumed while taking Siluet?

Official regulatory information does not list alcohol as a formal contraindication or major interaction with Siluet. As with any prescription medicine, patients may wish to discuss their alcohol consumption with a healthcare provider.

Q: Is it safe to take Siluet with blood pressure medication?

Combined hormonal contraceptives may raise blood pressure, and they are formally contraindicated (meaning they must not be used) in women with uncontrolled high blood pressure or hypertension with vascular disease. Official documentation indicates that the use of Siluet in patients with pre-existing hypertension or those using blood pressure medications necessitates careful monitoring.

Q: Does Siluet have an effect on fertility?

Siluet's core function is to provide reversible birth control by temporarily suppressing ovulation. Official documents state that hormonal contraceptives do not permanently impair future fertility. The official documentation describes that a short, temporary delay in the return to full, natural fertility may be observed after the medicine is stopped.

Q: Has Siluet been studied in different ethnic groups?

Clinical trial summaries and regulatory documents include demographic data on participants, which reports on the distribution of various ethnic groups investigated. This information is reviewed by regulatory bodies as part of establishing the drug's safety and efficacy profile.

Q: Is Siluet a controlled substance?

No. The active ingredients in Siluet, Dienogest and Ethinyl Estradiol, are classified as hormonal contraceptives. They are not designated as controlled substances under US federal regulations or similar international classifications.

Q: Can Siluet affect sleep patterns?

Side effect profiles for combined hormonal contraceptives sometimes include reports of sleep-related issues. These issues can include difficulty sleeping (insomnia) or a general feeling of low energy or excessive tiredness (fatigue).

Q: What are the signs that Siluet might not be working for someone?

In the context of contraception, the risk of an unplanned pregnancy is the primary outcome related to reduced effectiveness. Undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding or the complete absence of a period (amenorrhea) are clinical situations that should be reviewed by a doctor to assess for pregnancy or concerns about the medicine’s effectiveness.

Q: Is Siluet a new drug, or has it been around for a while?

While the active components, Dienogest and Ethinyl Estradiol, have been studied and used for many years, specific combinations and branded formulations are subject to their own distinct regulatory approval dates.

Q: Is there a generic version of Siluet available?

The components Dienogest and Ethinyl Estradiol are common hormonal agents that are available in various brand-name and generic formulations internationally. Official regulatory bodies maintain lists of approved generic equivalents for prescription drugs.

Q: Does Siluet affect liver function tests?

Official regulatory documents indicate that combined hormonal contraceptives can affect the results of certain laboratory tests. It is officially recommended that patients inform their medical and laboratory personnel that they are taking this medication prior to any testing.

Q: Does Siluet have any known effects on mental clarity or focus?

Official adverse event profiles for combined hormonal contraceptives sometimes report occasional disturbances in attention or focus. These cognitive effects are noted as typically rare in regulatory documents, and the specific frequency varies depending on the clinical trial.

Q: Can Siluet be used by people with a history of heart issues?

Official information states that the use of Siluet is contraindicated (not permitted) for women with a history of certain cardiovascular issues. This includes conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), stroke, or a previous heart attack.

Q: Is there a patient information leaflet available for Siluet from official sources?

Yes. Regulatory agencies such as the FDA (DailyMed) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) require that an official patient information leaflet (PIL) or Annex II is created and made publicly available to the public.

Q: Why is it important to share a full medical history before starting Siluet?

A complete medical history is necessary because the drug is formally contraindicated in patients with a history of certain serious conditions. Sharing this information allows healthcare providers to assess the use of the medicine relative to established regulatory warnings and contraindications.

Q: Are there any travel restrictions mentioned in the information for Siluet users?

While the label does not use the term 'travel restrictions,' official information includes warnings about the increased risk of blood clots from prolonged periods of immobility. It is officially recommended that patients discuss these vascular risks, and any necessary precautions, with their healthcare provider.

How should Siluet be stored and disposed of?

Official Storage and Disposal Requirements

All storage and disposal instructions for Siluet (dienogest/ethinylestradiol) are regulated to ensure product quality and environmental protection. The medication must be kept out of the sight and reach of children.


Storage Conditions

Requirement Official Instruction
Temperature Store below 30 C (86°F).
Protection Keep in the original blister pack and outer carton to protect the tablets from light and moisture.
Handling Remaining placebo tablets must be discarded if a new active pack is started early due to missed doses, to maintain stability.

Disposal Instructions

To prevent environmental contamination, unused or expired Siluet must not be thrown into household waste or disposed of via wastewater (flushed down the toilet). The medication must be returned to a pharmacy or authorized collection point, following local requirements for pharmaceutical waste.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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