Etonogestrel implant

What is this medicine?

ETONOGESTREL (et oh noe JES trel) is a contraceptive (birth control) device. It is used to prevent pregnancy. It can be used for up to 3 years.

How should I use this medicine?

This device is inserted just under the skin on the inner side of your upper arm by a health care professional.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breast lumps, breast tissue changes, or discharge

• breathing problems

• changes in emotions or moods

• coughing up blood

• if you feel that the implant may have broken or bent while in your arm

• high blood pressure

• pain, irritation, swelling, or bruising at the insertion site

• scar at site of insertion

• signs of infection at the insertion site such as fever, and skin redness, pain or discharge

• signs and symptoms of a blood clot such as breathing problems; changes in vision; chest pain; severe, sudden headache; pain, swelling, warmth in the leg; trouble speaking; sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg

• signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin

• unusual vaginal bleeding, discharge

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• acne

• breast pain or tenderness

• headache

• irregular menstrual bleeding

• nausea

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• amprenavir

• fosamprenavir

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• acitretin

• aprepitant

• armodafinil

• bexarotene

• bosentan

• carbamazepine

• certain medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole

• certain medicines to treat hepatitis, HIV or AIDS

• cyclosporine

• felbamate

• griseofulvin

• lamotrigine

• modafinil

• oxcarbazepine

• phenobarbital

• phenytoin

• primidone

• rifabutin

• rifampin

• rifapentine

• St. John's wort

• topiramate

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• abnormal vaginal bleeding

• blood vessel disease or blood clots

• breast, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, liver, or uterine cancer

• diabetes

• gallbladder disease

• heart disease or recent heart attack

• high blood pressure

• high cholesterol or triglycerides

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• migraine headaches

• seizures

• stroke

• tobacco smoker

• an unusual or allergic reaction to etonogestrel, anesthetics or antiseptics, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

This product does not protect you against HIV infection (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted diseases.

You should be able to feel the implant by pressing your fingertips over the skin where it was inserted. Contact your doctor if you cannot feel the implant, and use a non-hormonal birth control method (such as condoms) until your doctor confirms that the implant is in place. Contact your doctor if you think that the implant may have broken or become bent while in your arm.

You will receive a user card from your health care provider after the implant is inserted. The card is a record of the location of the implant in your upper arm and when it should be removed. Keep this card with your health records.