Nexplanon

Generic name: Etonogestrel (implant)

Usage of Nexplanon

Nexplanon (etonogestrel implant) is a long-term, reversible birth control for women. It is a contraceptive implant that is a flexible, thin plastic rod that is about the length of a matchstick (4cm by 2mm), which is placed under the skin on the inner side of the upper arm by your doctor or other healthcare provider.

Once you have it placed in your arm you don’t need to think about contraception for the next three years, you don’t need to worry about forgetting to take it, whether you have used it correctly and there is no need to interrupt sex to organise contraception.

Nexplanon can be removed at any time and your fertility will return to normal.

Nexplanon side effects

What are the most common side effects I can expect while using Nexplanon?

Changes in Menstrual Bleeding Patterns (menstrual periods)

  • The most common side effect of Nexplanon is a change in your normal menstrual bleeding pattern. In studies, one out of ten women stopped using the implant because of an unfavorable change in their bleeding pattern.
  • You may experience longer or shorter bleeding during your periods or have no bleeding at all. The time between periods may vary, and in between periods you may also have spotting.

    • Tell your healthcare provider right away if:

  • You think you may be pregnant
  • Your menstrual bleeding is heavy and prolonged

    • Besides changes in menstrual bleeding patterns, other frequent side effects that caused women to stop using the implant include:

  • Mood swings
  • Weight gain
  • Headache
  • Acne
  • Depressed mood

    • Other common side effects include:

  • Headache
  • Vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina)
  • Weight gain
  • Acne
  • Breast pain
  • Viral infections such as sore throats or flu-like symptoms
  • Stomach pain
  • Painful periods
  • Mood swings, nervousness, or depressed mood
  • Back pain
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Pain
  • Pain at the site of insertion

    • Implants have been reported to be found in a blood vessel, including a blood vessel in the lung which can be associated with shortness of breath, cough and/or the coughing up of blood or blood-stained mucus.

    This is not a complete list of possible side effects. For more information, ask your healthcare provider for advice about any side effects that concern you. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    Before taking Nexplanon

    Pregnancy: You should not use Nexplanon if you are pregnant. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before Nexplanon is inserted. If you become pregnant while using Nexplanon you should have it removed if you plan to continue with the pregnancy.

    Breastfeeding: If you are breastfeeding your child, you may use Nexplanon if 4 weeks have passed since you had your baby. A small amount of the hormone contained in Nexplanon passes into your breast milk. The health of breast-fed children whose mothers were using the implant has been studied up to 3 years of age in a small number of children. No effects on the growth and development of the children were seen.

    Hormonal contraceptives, including etonogestrel, can sometimes reduce milk production in breastfeeding mothers. This is less likely to occur once breastfeeding is well-established; however, it can occur at any time in some women.

    If you are breastfeeding and want to use Nexplanon, you should talk with your healthcare provider who can provide more information on hormonal or non-hormonal contraceptives.

    How to use Nexplanon

    How long does Nexplanon last?

    Nexplanon lasts for 3 years and at the end of the 3 years your implant must be removed. If you still require contraception a new implant may be inserted at the time of removal. You can have Nexplanon removed at any time and you will return to your normal fertility.

    Warnings

    Do not use Nexplanon if you are:

  • pregnant or
  • if you have had a baby less than 4 weeks ago and you are breastfeeding or
  • if you have had a baby less than 3 weeks ago and you are not breastfeeding

    • You should not use a Nexplanon implant if you have: undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, if you will be having major surgery, or if you have ever had a heart attack, a stroke, a blood clot, or cancer of the breast, uterus/cervix, or vagina.

    Using a Nexplanon implant can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack.

    Smoking can greatly increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack. You should not smoke while using a Nexplanon implant.

    What other drugs will affect Nexplanon

    Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Certain medicines may make Nexplanon less effective, including:

  • aprepitant
  • barbiturates
  • Bosentan
  • Carbamazepine
  • felbamate
  • griseofulvin
  • oxcarbazepine
  • phenytoin
  • rifampin
  • St. John's wort
  • topiramate
  • HIV medicines
  • Hepatitis C Virus medicines

    • Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure if your medicine is one listed above.

    If you are taking medicines or herbal products that might make Nexplanon less effective, you and your healthcare provider may decide to leave Nexplanon in place; in that case, an additional non-hormonal contraceptive should be used. Because the effect of another medicine on Nexplanon may last up to 28 days after stopping the medicine, it is necessary to use the additional non-hormonal contraceptive for that long.

    When you are using Nexplanon, tell all of your healthcare providers that you have this medicine in place in your arm.

    Disclaimer

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