From the Research
Tapering Sprintec over 5 days is not a standard or recommended practice. Sprintec is a combined hormonal contraceptive pill containing ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate that is designed to be taken continuously for 21 days followed by 7 placebo days, or in some formulations, 24 active pills and 4 placebo pills. There is no medical need to taper this medication when discontinuing it. If you want to stop taking Sprintec, you can simply finish your current pack and not start a new one, or stop immediately. The hormones from the pill will naturally clear from your system within a few days. Abrupt discontinuation may lead to withdrawal bleeding and the immediate loss of contraceptive protection, but does not cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms that would necessitate tapering. If you're considering tapering because of concerns about side effects when stopping, be aware that some women may experience temporary changes in their menstrual cycle, mood, or skin after discontinuation as their body readjusts to natural hormone levels, but these typically resolve without intervention. The provided evidence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 does not support tapering Sprintec over 5 days, and the most recent and highest quality studies do not address this specific topic, but they do provide information on tapering and discontinuing other medications, which suggests that tapering is not always necessary or recommended. In the context of Sprintec, the focus is on the safe and effective use of the medication as directed, rather than on tapering or discontinuing it gradually. Some studies, such as 5, discuss the use of estradiol and norgestimate in hormone replacement therapy, but this is a different context and does not apply to the use of Sprintec as a contraceptive. Overall, the evidence suggests that tapering Sprintec over 5 days is not a recommended practice, and that women can safely stop taking the medication without tapering.