Today sponge
Encyclopedia
The Today sponge is a brand of plastic contraceptive sponge
saturated with a spermicide
nonoxynol-9
to prevent conception
. Within two years of its launch, Today had become the largest selling over-the-counter female contraceptive in the United States, and was soon rolled out into other markets.
, was classified as "relatively safe" by the United States Food And Drug Administration in 1984. A 1984 study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
compared it with the diaphragm
and found that the Today sponge was a "safe and acceptable method of contraception with an effectiveness rate in the range of other vaginal contraceptives." The Today sponge also broke the barrier in several markets for advertising
contraceptive devices.
The Today sponge "was manufactured until 1995, when FDA imposed new manufacturing standards." The product had several setbacks while marketed, including a link to toxic shock syndrome
. Personal money problems forced Vorhauer to sell the entire manufacturing operation to American Home Products, now Wyeth
. Almost the entire content of the facility was moved to the Whitehall-Robbins facility in Hammonton, New Jersey
from its original California home. The sponge was removed from the U.S. market in 1994 after problems were found at the facility related to the DI water system. The water system, which was originally sized for much larger production, could not produce the small amounts of DI water required for this one product and became repeatedly contaminated. Wyeth stopped selling the sponge rather than move production or modify its plant, based on slumping sales and to avoid any further FDA issues.
In 1998 Allendale Pharmaceuticals acquired the rights to the Today sponge, and it was once again available. New FDA standards for manufacturing and record-keeping forced repeated delays, but the Today sponge was finally re-introduced in Canada in March 2003, and in the U.S. in September 2005. In January 2007, Allendale Pharmaceuticals was acquired by Synova Healthcare, Inc. In December 2007 Synova filed for bankruptcy reorganization; in 2008 the manufacturing rights to the Today sponge were purchased by Alvogen. In mid May 2009, Mayer Laboratories, Inc. the distributor of the Today Vaginal Contraceptive Sponge for the US, Canada and the EU, announced the Today Sponge had been re-launched in the United States.
episode, "The Sponge
," revolved around Elaine's attempts to procure her favorite form of birth control, the Today sponge, and her rationing them based on whether a potential sex partner was "sponge-worthy."
Contraceptive sponge
The contraceptive sponge combines barrier and spermicidal methods to prevent conception. Three brands are marketed: Pharmatex, Protectaid and Today. Pharmatex is marketed in France and the province of Quebec; Protectaid in the rest of Canada and Europe; and Today in the United States.Sponges work...
saturated with a spermicide
Spermicide
Spermicide is a contraceptive substance that eradicates sperm, inserted vaginally prior to intercourse to prevent pregnancy. As a contraceptive, spermicide may be used alone. However, the pregnancy rate experienced by couples using only spermicide is higher than that of couples using other methods...
nonoxynol-9
Nonoxynol-9
Nonoxynol-9, sometimes abbreviated as N-9, is an organic compound that is used as a surfactant. It is a member of the nonoxynol family of nonionic surfactants. N-9 and related compounds are ingredients in various cleaning and cosmetic products. It is widely used in contraceptives for its...
to prevent conception
Conception
Conception, or a concept, is an abstract idea or a mental symbol.Conception may also refer to:* Conception, or fertilisation, the fusion of gametes to produce a new organism.* Conception , an album by Miles Davis...
. Within two years of its launch, Today had become the largest selling over-the-counter female contraceptive in the United States, and was soon rolled out into other markets.
History
The Today sponge dates back to 1976 when it was created by Bruce Ward Vorhauer. Vorhauer struggled for 7 years to get the device approved and on the market. Following FDA approval, the brand was rolled out in June 1983. The product, manufactured by VLI Corp. of Irvine, CaliforniaIrvine, California
Irvine is a suburban incorporated city in Orange County, California, United States. It is a planned city, mainly developed by the Irvine Company since the 1960s. Formally incorporated on December 28, 1971, the city has a population of 212,375 as of the 2010 census. However, the California...
, was classified as "relatively safe" by the United States Food And Drug Administration in 1984. A 1984 study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology is a peer reviewed journal of obstetrics and gynecology. It is popularly called the "Gray Journal".It is the official publication of the following societies and associations:...
compared it with the diaphragm
Diaphragm (contraceptive)
The diaphragm is a cervical barrier type of birth control. It is a soft latex or silicone dome with a spring molded into the rim. The spring creates a seal against the walls of the vagina.-Use:...
and found that the Today sponge was a "safe and acceptable method of contraception with an effectiveness rate in the range of other vaginal contraceptives." The Today sponge also broke the barrier in several markets for advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
contraceptive devices.
The Today sponge "was manufactured until 1995, when FDA imposed new manufacturing standards." The product had several setbacks while marketed, including a link to toxic shock syndrome
Toxic shock syndrome
Toxic shock syndrome is a potentially fatal illness caused by a bacterial toxin. Different bacterial toxins may cause toxic shock syndrome, depending on the situation. The causative bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes...
. Personal money problems forced Vorhauer to sell the entire manufacturing operation to American Home Products, now Wyeth
Wyeth
Wyeth, formerly one of the companies owned by American Home Products Corporation , was a pharmaceutical company. The company was based in Madison, New Jersey, USA...
. Almost the entire content of the facility was moved to the Whitehall-Robbins facility in Hammonton, New Jersey
Hammonton, New Jersey
Hammonton is a town in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 14,791. It is located directly between Philadelphia and the resort town of Atlantic City, along a former route of the Pennsylvania Railroad currently used by New Jersey...
from its original California home. The sponge was removed from the U.S. market in 1994 after problems were found at the facility related to the DI water system. The water system, which was originally sized for much larger production, could not produce the small amounts of DI water required for this one product and became repeatedly contaminated. Wyeth stopped selling the sponge rather than move production or modify its plant, based on slumping sales and to avoid any further FDA issues.
In 1998 Allendale Pharmaceuticals acquired the rights to the Today sponge, and it was once again available. New FDA standards for manufacturing and record-keeping forced repeated delays, but the Today sponge was finally re-introduced in Canada in March 2003, and in the U.S. in September 2005. In January 2007, Allendale Pharmaceuticals was acquired by Synova Healthcare, Inc. In December 2007 Synova filed for bankruptcy reorganization; in 2008 the manufacturing rights to the Today sponge were purchased by Alvogen. In mid May 2009, Mayer Laboratories, Inc. the distributor of the Today Vaginal Contraceptive Sponge for the US, Canada and the EU, announced the Today Sponge had been re-launched in the United States.
In popular culture
A 1995 SeinfeldSeinfeld
Seinfeld is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, lasting nine seasons, and is now in syndication. It was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, the latter starring as a fictionalized version of himself...
episode, "The Sponge
The Sponge
"The Sponge" is the 119th episode of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld. This was the ninth episode for the seventh season. It aired on December 7, 1995.-Plot:...
," revolved around Elaine's attempts to procure her favorite form of birth control, the Today sponge, and her rationing them based on whether a potential sex partner was "sponge-worthy."