Sponge-Worthy Again

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Sponge-Worthy Again

Washington Post--Health (www.washingtonpost.com) (04/18/00) P. 7
Russell, Cristine

Earlier this year, Allendale Pharmaceuticals applied for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the Today Sponge, and the company expects approval within the next several months. The contraceptive was voluntarily taken off the market five years ago by its then-maker, Whitehall-Robins Healthcare, after the FDA found problems at the company's manufacturing plant. Allendale purchased the rights and manufacturing equipment for the sponge in 1998. The popular female contraceptive was available without a prescription, was easy to use, and contained nonoxynol 9 to kill sperm and prevent pregnancy. According to Susan Tew of the Alan Guttmacher Institute, the product's pregnancy prevention rate ranged from 80 percent to 90 percent, depending on if it was used correctly. Also, because the sponge offers little protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, it is recommended that a condom be used for added protection.

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