Etonogestrel Implant

Etonogestrel Implant is used as contraception to prevent pregnancy.

• Etonogestrel is available under various brand names: Implanon, Nexplanon

Common side effects of Etonogestrel include:

• pain where the implant was inserted;
• changes in the menstrual periods;
• vaginal itching or discharge;
• acne, mood changes, weight gain;
• back pain, menstrual cramps;
• nausea, stomach pain;
• breast pain;
• headache, dizziness; or
• flu-like symptoms, sore throat.

Serious side effects of Etonogestrel include:

• hives,
• difficult breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• warmth, redness, swelling, or oozing where the implant was inserted;
• severe pain or cramping in your pelvic area (maybe only on one side);
• signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
• signs of a blood clot--sudden vision loss, stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, coughing up blood, pain or warmth in one or both legs;
• heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
• increased blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in the neck or ears;
• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• a breast lump; or
• symptoms of depression--sleep problems, weakness, tired feeling, mood changes.

Rare side effects of Etonogestrel include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Implant

• 68 mg

Contraception

Adult dosage

• Insert 1 implant subdermally

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Etonogestrel has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Etonogestrel has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • brigatinib
  • carbamazepine
  • clarithromycin
  • erythromycin base
  • erythromycin ethylsuccinate
  • erythromycin lactobionate
  • erythromycin stearate
  • lesinurad
  • lumacaftor/ivacaftor
  • mavacamten
  • rifabutin
  • rifampin
  • St John's Wort
  • sugammadex sodium
• Etonogestrel has moderate interactions with at least 67 other drugs.
• Etonogestrel has minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • eslicarbazepine acetate
  • nefazodone

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
• a history of hormone-related cancer, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina;
• unusual vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor; or
• liver disease or liver cancer.

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Etonogestrel?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Etonogestrel?”

Cautions

• Taking this medicine can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You are even more at risk if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or you are overweight. Your risk of stroke or blood clots is highest during your first year of taking this medicine. Your risk is also high when you restart this medicine after not taking it for 4 weeks or longer.
• Smoking can greatly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. Your risk increases the older you are and the more you smoke. You should not take this medicine if you smoke and are over 35 years old.
• You may have breakthrough bleeding, especially during the first 3 months. Tell your doctor if this bleeding continues or is very heavy.
• If you need major surgery or will be on long-term bed rest, you may need to stop using this medicine for a short time. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you should know that you are using this medicine.
• An Etonogestrel Implant may not be as effective in women who are overweight.
• The Etonogestrel Implant should not be used in girls younger than 18 years old.
• The Etonogestrel Implant must be removed by the end of the third year after it was inserted and may be replaced at that time with a new implant. After the implant is removed, your ability to get pregnant will return quickly. If the implant is not replaced with a new one, start using another form of birth control right away if you wish to prevent pregnancy.

Pregnancy & Lactation

• Contraindicated during pregnancy because there is no need for pregnancy prevention in a woman who is already pregnant
• Lactation
  • Etonogestrel can pass into breast milk, but its effects on the nursing baby are not known. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.