What is etonogestrel?
Etonogestrel implant contains a hormone that prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). This medication also causes changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.
Etonogestrel implant is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy. The medicine is contained in a small plastic rod that is implanted into the skin of your upper arm. The medicine is released slowly into the body. The rod can remain in place and provide continuous contraception for up to 3 years.
Etonogestrel implant may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Precautions
Do not use an etonogestrel implant if you are pregnant. If you have recently had a baby, wait at least 3 weeks (4 weeks if breast-feeding) before receiving an etonogestrel implant.
Do not receive the implant if you are allergic to etonogestrel, or if you have:
- a history of stroke or blood clot;
- a history of breast cancer;
- abnormal vaginal bleeding; or
- liver disease or liver cancer.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use an etonogestrel implant:
- an ovarian cyst;
- high blood pressure;
- heart disease or congestive heart failure;
- high cholesterol or if you are overweight;
- a history of depression;
- gallbladder disease;
- diabetes; or
- seizures or epilepsy.
The etonogestrel implant should not be used in girls younger than 18 years old.
Do not use the implant if you are breast-feeding a baby younger than 4 weeks old.
Do not smoke while using etonogestrel implant, especially if you are older than 35. Smoking can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack caused by etonogestrel implant.
Etonogestrel implant will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases—including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.
Instructions
If the implant is correctly inserted, an overdose of etonogestrel is highly unlikely. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and vaginal bleeding.
Since the etonogestrel implant is inserted under the skin and remains in place for up to 3 years, you will not be on a dosing schedule. Be sure to see your doctor for removal of the implant by the end of the third year.
Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- warmth, redness, swelling, or oozing where the implant was inserted;
- sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
- severe pain or cramping in your pelvic area (may be only on one side);
- sudden headache, confusion, pain behind the eyes, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
- chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
- swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
- symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes).
Less serious side effects may include:
- pain, numbness, or tingling where the implant was inserted;
- minor bleeding or scarring where the implant was inserted;
- breast pain;
- acne, freckles or darkening of facial skin;
- menstrual cramps, changes in menstrual bleeding pattern;
- increased hair growth, loss of scalp hair;
- weight gain;
- nausea, mild stomach pain;
- vaginal itching or discharge;
- headache, back pain, nervousness, dizziness;
- runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough; or
- problems with contact lenses.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interactions
Before receiving etonogestrel implant, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
- phenylbutazone (Azolid, Butazolidin);
- modafinil (Provigil);
- St. John's wort;
- antibiotic medicines such as griseofulvin (Grisactin, Grifulvin V, Fulvicin PG), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), amoxicillin (Augmentin), ampicillin (Omnipen), doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin), minocycline (Minocin), penicillin (Veetids, Pen Vee K, Bicillin), rifampin (Rifadin), rifabutin (Mycobutin), tetracycline (Sumycin, Achromycin, Robitet), and others;
- seizure medicines such as phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), or topiramate (Topamax);
- a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or
- HIV medicines such as amprenavir (Agenerase), atazanavir (Reyataz), tipranavir (Aptivus), indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), ritonavir (Norvir), or nelfinavir (Viracept).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with etonogestrel implant. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Other Names
Implanon and etonogestrel
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04