Implanon

What is it?

A hormonal, contraceptive preparation available as small rod that is inserted beneath the skin, containing 68mg of etonogestrel.

Medical Uses

Reversible, long-term contraception.

Dosage

Women, inserted beneath skin by trained specialist, according to manufacturer's instructions.

Special Care

Over-weight patients, diabetes, high blood pressure, chloasma (brown pigmentation/patches in skin), disorders of liver function, otosclerosis (hereditary condition in which there is an overgrowth of bone in the middle ear, affecting hearing), gallstones, porphyria (rare, inherited disorder involving porphyrins), previous jaundice during pregnancy or use of sex hormones, itching related to cholestasis (interruption in normal passage of bile), SLE, previous herpes during pregnancy, Sydenham's chorea, haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Blood pressure should be monitored preiodically during the course of treatment.

Avoid Use

Pregnancy, undiagnosedvaginal bleeding, cancer that is responsive to progestogen, previous, severe liver disorders, thromboembolic conditions.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Carbamazepine, griseofulvin, felbamate, hepatic inducing drugs, hydantoins, primidone, rifameicin, barbiturates, oxcarbazepine, rifabutin, St John's Wort.

Known Side Effects

Depression, emotional changes/mood swings, weight gain, breast tenderness, headaches, dysmenorrhoea (menstrual pain/disturbance), dizziness, alteration in libido, vaginitis, acne.