Etonogestrel Intradermal Advanced Patient Information - Drugs.com

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# Etonogestrel (Intradermal)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 8, 2022.

## Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

- Implanon

Pharmacologic Class: Progestin

## Uses for etonogestrel

Etonogestrel implant is used in women to prevent pregnancy. It is a form of birth control that contains a hormone in a flexible plastic rod about the size of a matchstick. It is effective for 3 years when inserted just beneath the skin of your upper arm.

Etonogestrel stops the release of an egg from your ovary. The mucus in your cervix thickens and may prevent sperm from reaching the egg.

Etonogestrel implant will not protect a woman from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The use of latex (rubber) condoms or abstinence (not having sex) is recommended for protection from these diseases.

Etonogestrel is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a trained healthcare professional.

## Before using etonogestrel

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For etonogestrel, the following should be considered:

### Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to etonogestrel or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

### Pediatric

Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of etonogestrel implant have not been performed in the pediatric population. However, pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of this medication in teenagers are not expected. Etonogestrel may be used for birth control in teenage females but should not be used before the start of menstruation.

### Geriatric

Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of etonogestrel implant have not been performed in the geriatric population. Etonogestrel is not indicated for use in elderly women.

### Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

### Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving etonogestrel, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using etonogestrel with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

- Tranexamic Acid

Using etonogestrel with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

- Amobarbital
- Apalutamide
- Aprepitant
- Aprobarbital
- Armodafinil
- Artemether
- Belzutifan
- Bexarotene
- Bosentan
- Butabarbital
- Butalbital
- Carbamazepine
- Cenobamate
- Clobazam
- Dabrafenib
- Darunavir
- Dexamethasone
- Elagolix
- Elvitegravir
- Encorafenib
- Enzalutamide
- Eslicarbazepine Acetate
- Eterobarb
- Etravirine
- Fosaprepitant
- Fosphenytoin
- Griseofulvin
- Heptabarbital
- Hexobarbital
- Isotretinoin
- Ivosidenib
- Lesinurad
- Lixisenatide
- Lorlatinib
- Lumacaftor
- Mavacamten
- Mephobarbital
- Methohexital
- Mitapivat
- Mitotane
- Mobocertinib
- Modafinil
- Mycophenolic Acid
- Nafcillin
- Nevirapine
- Oxcarbazepine
- Pentobarbital
- Phenobarbital
- Phenylbutazone
- Phenytoin
- Pitolisant
- Prednisone
- Primidone
- Red Clover
- Rifabutin
- Rifampin
- Rifapentine
- Ritonavir
- Rufinamide
- Secobarbital
- St John's Wort
- Sugammadex
- Tazemetostat
- Telaprevir
- Theophylline
- Thiopental
- Topiramate
- Ulipristal

Using etonogestrel with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

- Atazanavir
- Efavirenz

### Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using etonogestrel with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use etonogestrel, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

- Caffeine

### Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of etonogestrel. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

- Abnormal or unusual vaginal bleeding (non-menstrual) or
- Blood clots (eg, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism), or history of or
- Heart attack, or history of or
- Stroke, or history of or
- Breast cancer, known or suspected, or progestin-sensitive, or history of or
- Liver disease (active), including tumors—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

- Depression, or history of or
- Diabetes or
- Fluid retention (body swelling) or
- Gallbladder disease or
- Heart disease or
- Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol or fats in the blood) or
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
- Kidney disease—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

- Obesity—This condition may cause the medicine to not work as well.

## Proper use of etonogestrel

It is very important that you tell your doctor if you think you might be pregnant or if you missed a period before you receive etonogestrel. A pregnancy test will be done to make sure you are not pregnant before etonogestrel is inserted.

Etonogestrel comes with patient instructions. After reading the instructions, you will be asked to sign a USER CARD and a Patient Consent Form before you receive etonogestrel. The Consent Form tells you about some possible risks when using etonogestrel, and when it must be removed. Make sure you understand what is in the patient instructions and the Consent Form before you sign it. Keep the USER CARD in a safe place at home with your health records. If you have any questions, ask your doctor.

The implants are usually inserted by your doctor between the first and fifth day of your menstrual period, even if you are still bleeding.

After etonogestrel is inserted, your doctor should feel your arm to check that the implants are in the right place. You can also check it by gently pressing your fingertips over the insertion site. You should be able to feel the small rod. If you cannot feel the implants in your arm, you will need to use a non-hormonal birth control (such as condoms, spermicide) until your doctor confirms that the implants are in place.

Your doctor will cover the insertion site with 2 bandages. You may remove the top bandage after 24 hours. The smaller bandage may be removed after 3 to 5 days.

Your doctor must remove etonogestrel after 3 years. If you would like to stop using etonogestrel, your doctor can remove it at any time. Do not try to remove the implants by yourself.

If you still want to prevent pregnancy after etonogestrel is removed, you should start using another form of birth control (eg, condoms, diaphragms, or spermicides) right away. If you still want to continue using etonogestrel, your doctor can insert a new implant under your skin after taking the old one out.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using etonogestrel.

Detailed Etonogestrel dosage information

## Precautions while using etonogestrel

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure etonogestrel is working properly and does not cause unwanted effects.

Tell your doctor if you have recently given birth. You may start using etonogestrel 4 weeks after giving birth.

Etonogestrel implant will not protect you against HIV/AIDS, herpes, or other sexually transmitted diseases. Tell your doctor if you or your partner begins to have sexual intercourse with other people, or you or your partner tests positive for a sexually transmitted disease. Talk with your doctor if you have any concerns.

Tell your doctor if you had an allergic reaction to numbing medicines (anesthetics) or skin cleansers (antiseptics). These medicines will be used when etonogestrel implant is inserted into your arm.

Etonogestrel may cause several problems related to insertion and removal, such as pain, irritation, swelling, bruising, scarring, or other complications. Talk to your doctor about these possible risks.

You could have less bleeding or may even stop having periods while using etonogestrel. Call your doctor if you have a change from your regular bleeding pattern after you have had your implants for awhile, such as more bleeding or if you miss a period (and if you were having periods even with your implants).

Call your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant while you are using etonogestrel. You may have a higher risk of an ectopic pregnancy (occurs outside the womb) if you get pregnant while your implants are in place. This can be a serious and life-threatening condition. It can also cause problems that may make it harder for you to become pregnant in the future.

Using etonogestrel may increase your risk of blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis), lungs (pulmonary embolism), brain (stroke), heart (heart attack), or eyes (blindness). Make sure your doctor knows at least 4 weeks before if you are going to have surgery or will need to be on bed rest. There is a higher risk of having these serious medical problems during surgery or bed rest or if you smoke regularly.

Etonogestrel may also increase your risk of having ovarian cysts, breast cancer, gallbladder problems, or liver tumors. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

Etonogestrel may increase your weight. Your doctor may need to check your weight on a regular basis while you are using etonogestrel. Talk to your doctor about ways to prevent weight gain.

Your blood pressure might get too high while you are using etonogestrel. This may cause headaches, dizziness, or blurred vision. You might need to measure your blood pressure at home. If you think your blood pressure is too high, call your doctor right away.

Etonogestrel may affect blood sugar levels. If you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests, or if you have any questions, check with your doctor.

Etonogestrel may also increase the amount of cholesterol and fats in your blood. If this condition occurs, your doctor may give you some medicines that can lower the amount of cholesterol and fats in the blood.

If you wear contact lenses and you have blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or any other change in vision while using etonogestrel, check with your doctor right away. Your doctor may want your eyes be checked by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist).

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are using etonogestrel implant. The results of some tests may be affected by etonogestrel.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.

## Etonogestrel side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

- Breast pain
- chills
- cough
- diarrhea
- fever
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- headache
- joint pain
- loss of appetite
- muscle aches and pain
- nausea
- runny nose
- shivering
- sore throat
- sweating
- trouble sleeping
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting

Less common

- Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the insertion site
- bloating
- blurred vision or other changes in vision
- breast discharge
- breast enlargement
- burning feeling while urinating
- difficult or painful urination
- difficulty with breathing
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness
- headache, severe and throbbing
- lumps in the breasts
- nervousness
- noisy breathing
- painful or tender cysts in the breasts
- pounding in the ears
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- shortness of breath
- skin rash, hives, itching
- slow or fast heartbeat
- stomach or pelvic discomfort, aching, or heaviness
- swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
- tightness in the chest

Rare

- Collection of blood under the skin at the insertion site
- deep, dark purple bruise at the insertion site

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

- Back pain
- blemishes on the skin, pimples
- body aches or pain
- crying
- depersonalization
- discouragement
- dysphoria
- ear congestion
- euphoria
- feeling sad or empty
- hoarseness
- increased clear or white vaginal discharge
- increased weight
- irregular bleeding cycle
- irritability
- itching of the vagina or genital area
- light vaginal bleeding between regular menstrual periods
- loss of interest or pleasure
- loss of voice
- mental depression
- nasal congestion
- pain, cramps, or heavy menstrual bleeding
- pain during sexual intercourse
- pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
- paranoia
- quick to react or overreact emotionally
- rapidly changing moods
- stomach pain
- tender, swollen glands in the neck
- thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
- trouble concentrating
- voice changes

Less common

- Abnormal ejaculation
- abnormal or decreased touch sensation
- belching
- bone pain
- burning feeling in the chest or stomach
- decreased interest in sexual intercourse
- difficulty having a bowel movement
- difficulty with moving
- dull ache or feeling of pressure or heaviness in the legs
- excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
- feeling of vaginal pressure
- feeling of warmth
- hair loss or thinning of the hair
- heartburn
- inability to have or keep an erection
- increased appetite
- increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs
- indigestion
- itching skin near damaged veins
- lack or loss of strength
- loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
- muscle cramping or stiffness
- passing gas
- pelvic pain
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally upper chest
- redness, swelling in the ear, or earache
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- sneezing
- stomach bloating and cramping
- stuffy nose
- swollen joints
- tenderness in the stomach area
- vaginal burning or pain
- weight loss

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Etonogestrel side effects (more detail)

## More about etonogestrel

- Check interactions
- Reviews (6,501)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: contraceptives
- Breastfeeding
- En español

### Patient resources

- Drug Information
- Etonogestrel

#### Other brands

Nexplanon, Implanon

### Related treatment guides

- Endometriosis
- Birth Control

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer