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The product code(s) for this leaflet are: PL 00065/0161, PL00025/0563.
Nexplanon 68mg implant for subdermal use
Nexplanon® 68 mg implant for subdermal use
etonogestrel
Your doctor will give you a Patient Alert Card that contains important information you need to be aware of. Store the card in a safe place, and show it to your healthcare professional at any visits related to the use of your implant.
1. What Nexplanon is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Nexplanon
3. How to use Nexplanon
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Nexplanon
6. Contents of the pack and other information
7. Information for the health care professional
Nexplanon is a contraceptive implant preloaded in a disposable applicator. Safety and efficacy have been established in women between 18 and 40 years of age. The implant is a small, soft, flexible, plastic rod, 4 cm in length and 2 mm in diameter, which contains 68 milligrams of the active substance, etonogestrel. The applicator allows the healthcare professional to insert the implant just under the skin of your upper arm. Etonogestrel is a synthetic female hormone resembling progesterone. A small amount of etonogestrel is continuously released into the bloodstream. The implant itself is made of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, a plastic that will not dissolve in the body. It also contains a small amount of barium sulphate which renders it visible under X-ray.
Nexplanon is used to prevent pregnancy.
The implant is inserted just below the skin. The active compound, etonogestrel, works in two ways:
As a result, Nexplanon protects you against pregnancy for a period of three years, but if you are overweight the doctor may advise you to replace the implant earlier. Nexplanon is one of several means of preventing pregnancy. Another frequently used birth control method is the combined Pill. In contrast to combined Pills, Nexplanon can be used by women who may not, or do not want to use oestrogens. When you use Nexplanon you do not have to remember to take a pill every day. This is one of the reasons that Nexplanon is very reliable (over 99 % effective). If in rare cases the implant is not inserted correctly or is not inserted at all, you may not be protected against pregnancy. When you are using Nexplanon, your menstrual bleeding may change and become absent, irregular, infrequent, frequent, prolonged, or rarely heavy. The bleeding pattern that you experience during the first three months generally indicates your future bleeding pattern. Painful periods may improve.
You may stop using Nexplanon at any time (see also “ When you want to stop using Nexplanon” ).
Hormonal contraceptives, also including Nexplanon, do not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease.
Do not use Nexplanon if you have any of the conditions listed below. If any of these conditions apply to you, tell your doctor before Nexplanon is inserted. Your doctor may advise you to use a non-hormonal method of birth control.
If any of these conditions appear for the first time while using Nexplanon, consult your doctor immediately.
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Nexplanon.
If Nexplanon is used in the presence of any of the conditions listed below, you may need to be kept under close observation. Your doctor can explain to you what to do. If any of these apply to you, tell your doctor before Nexplanon is inserted. Also if the condition develops or gets worse while you are using Nexplanon you must tell your doctor.
Cancer
The information presented below has been obtained in studies with women who daily take an oral combined contraceptive containing two different female hormones (“the Pill”). It is not known whether these observations are also applicable to women who use a different hormonal contraceptive, such as implants containing only a progestagen.
Breast cancer has been found slightly more often in women using oral combined pills, but it is not known whether this is caused by the treatment. For example, it may be that tumours are found more in women on combined pills because they are examined by the doctor more often. The increased occurrence of breast cancer becomes gradually less after stopping the combined pill. It is important to regularly check your breasts and you should contact your doctor if you feel any lump in your breasts. You should also tell your doctor if a close relative has or ever had breast cancer.
In rare cases, benign and even more rarely malignant liver tumours have been reported in women using the Pill. If you experience severe abdominal pain, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Thrombosis
A blood clot in a vein (known as a ‘venous thrombosis’) can block the vein. This can happen in veins in the leg, the lung (a lung embolus), or other organs. A blood clot in an artery (known as ‘arterial thrombosis’) can block the artery. For example, a blood clot in an artery may cause a heart attack, or in the brain may cause a stroke.
Using any combined hormonal contraceptive increases a woman’s risk of developing such clots compared with a woman not taking any combined hormonal contraceptive. The risk is not as high as the risk of developing a blood clot during pregnancy. The risk with progestagen-only methods like Nexplanon, is believed to be lower than in users of Pills that also contain oestrogens. There have been reports of blood clot formation like lung emboli, deep vein thrombosis, heart attacks and strokes in women using etonogestrel implants; however, available data do not suggest an increase in risk of these events in women using the implant.
If you suddenly notice possible signs of a thrombosis, you should see your doctor immediately. (see also “When should you contact your doctor?").
Menstrual bleeding pattern changes
Like with other progestagen-only contraceptives, your menstrual bleeding pattern may change when using Nexplanon. You may experience a change in frequency (absent, less frequent, more frequent or continuous), intensity (reduced or increased) or in duration. Absence of bleeding was reported in about 1 of 5 women while another 1 of 5 women reported frequent and/or prolonged bleeding. Occasionally heavy bleeding has been observed. In clinical trials, bleeding changes were the most common reason for stopping treatment (about 11 %). The bleeding pattern that you experience during the first three months generally indicates your future bleeding pattern.
A changing bleeding pattern does not mean that Nexplanon does not suit you or is not giving you contraceptive protection. In general, you do not need to take any action. You should consult your doctor if menstrual bleeding is heavy or prolonged.
Insertion and removal related events
The implant may move from the original insertion site in the arm, if incorrectly inserted or due to external forces (e.g. manipulation of the implant or contact sports). In rare cases implants have been found in the blood vessels of the arm or in the pulmonary artery (a blood vessel in the lung). In cases where the implant has migrated from the original insertion site, localisation of the implant may be more difficult and removal may require a larger incision or surgical removal in the hospital.
If the implant cannot be found in the arm your healthcare professional may use x-rays or other imaging methods on the chest. If the implant is located in the chest, surgery may be needed. If the implant cannot be found, and there is no evidence it has been expelled, contraception and the risk of progestagen-related undesirable effects may last longer than you want.
If at any time the implant cannot be felt, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Psychiatric disorders
Some women using hormonal contraceptives including Nexplanon have reported depression or depressed mood. Depression can be serious and may sometimes lead to suicidal thoughts. If you experience mood changes and depressive symptoms contact your doctor for further medical advice as soon as possible.
Ovarian cysts
During the use of all low-dose hormonal contraceptives, small fluid-filled sacs may develop in the ovaries. These are called ovarian cysts. They usually disappear on their own. Sometimes they cause mild abdominal pain. Only rarely, they may lead to more serious problems.
Broken or bent implant
If the implant breaks or bends while in your arm, how the implant works should not be affected. Breakage or bending may occur due to external forces. The broken implant may move from the insertion site. If you have questions, contact your healthcare provider.
Always tell your doctor which medicines or herbal products you are already using. Also tell any other doctor or dentist who prescribes another medicine (or the pharmacist) that you use Nexplanon. They can tell you if you need to take additional contraceptive precautions (for example condoms) and if so, for how long, or, whether the use of another medicine you need must be changed.
Some medicines
These include medicines used for the treatment of
Nexplanon may influence the effect of other medicines, e.g.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
There are no indications of any effect of food and drink on the use of Nexplanon.
You must not use Nexplanon if you are pregnant, or think you may be pregnant. In case you doubt whether you are pregnant or not, you should perform a pregnancy test before starting using Nexplanon.
Nexplanon may be used while you are breast-feeding. Although a small amount of the active substance of Nexplanon passes over into the breast milk, there is no effect on the production or the quality of breast milk, nor on the growth and development of the child.
If you are breast-feeding, ask your doctor for advice before using this medicine.
The safety and efficacy of Nexplanon in adolescents under the age of 18 have not been studied.
There are no indications of any effect of the use of Nexplanon on alertness and concentration.
Regular check-ups
Before Nexplanon is inserted, your healthcare professional will ask you some questions about your personal health history and that of your close relatives. The healthcare professional will also measure your blood pressure, and depending on your personal situation, may also carry out some other tests. When you are using Nexplanon, your healthcare professional may ask you to return for a (routine) medical check-up sometime after insertion of the implant. The frequency and nature of further check-ups will depend on your personal situation. Your healthcare professional should palpate the implant at each check-up visit.
Contact your doctor as soon as possible if:
Please tell your healthcare professional if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant before Nexplanon is inserted (e.g. if you had unprotected sex during the current menstrual cycle).
Nexplanon should be inserted and removed only by a healthcare professional who is familiar with procedures as described on the other side of this leaflet. The healthcare professional will decide in consultation with you the most suitable time for insertion. This depends on your personal situation (for example on the birth control method that you are currently using). Unless you are switching from another hormonal contraceptive method, the insertion should be performed on day 1-5 of your spontaneous menstrual bleeding to rule out pregnancy. If the implant is placed after the fifth day of menses then you should use an additional contraceptive method (such as a condom) for the first 7 days after insertion.
Before inserting or removing Nexplanon, your healthcare professional will give you a local anaesthetic. Nexplanon is inserted directly under the skin, on the inside of your upper non-dominant arm (the arm that you do not write with). A description of the insertion and the removal procedure of Nexplanon is shown below.
At the end of the insertion procedure, the healthcare professional will ask you to palpate the implant (feel the implant under your skin). A correctly inserted implant should be clearly palpable by the healthcare professional as well as by you, and you should be able to feel both ends between your thumb and finger. It should be realised that palpation is not suitable for 100 % verification of the presence of the implant. If the implant cannot be palpated immediately after insertion, or at any time, the implant may not have been inserted, may have been inserted deeply, or may have migrated from the place it was inserted.
Therefore, it is important to occasionally gently palpate the implant to be sure that you know its location. If at any time you cannot feel the implant, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
In case of the slightest doubt you have to use a barrier method (e.g. a condom) until the healthcare professional and you are absolutely sure that the implant has been inserted. The healthcare professional may have to use X-rays, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging, or may have to take a blood sample, to make sure that the implant is inside your arm. If the implant cannot be found in the arm after a thorough search, your healthcare professional may use x-rays or other imaging methods on your chest. Once the healthcare professional has located the implant that was not palpable, it should be removed.
Nexplanon should be removed or replaced no more than three years after insertion.
To help you remember when and where Nexplanon was inserted, and when Nexplanon must be removed at the latest, your healthcare professional will give you a Patient Alert Card that shows this information. The Patient Alert Card also contains instructions to occasionally gently palpate the implant to be sure that you know its location. If at any time you cannot feel the implant, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Store the card in a safe place! Show the Patient Alert Card to your healthcare professional at any visits related to the use of your implant. In case you would like to have Nexplanon replaced, a new implant may be inserted immediately after the old implant is removed. The new implant may be inserted in the same arm and at the same site as the previous implant as long as the site is in the correct location. Your healthcare professional will advise you.
You can ask your healthcare professional to remove the implant at any time you want.
If the implant cannot be localised by palpation, the healthcare professional may use X-rays, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging to locate the implant. Depending on the exact position of the implant removal may be difficult and may require surgery.
If you do not want to become pregnant after removal of Nexplanon, ask your healthcare professional about other reliable methods of birth control.
If you stop using Nexplanon because you want to get pregnant, it is generally recommended that you wait until you have had a natural period before trying to conceive. This helps you to work out when the baby will be due.
These pictograms are only meant to illustrate the insertion and removal procedures for the woman who will be receiving the implant.
Note: The exact procedures for the insertion and removal of Nexplanon by the qualified healthcare professional are described in the Summary of product characteristics and in section 7 on the other side of this user package leaflet.
Like all medicines, Nexplanon can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Menstrual bleeding may occur at irregular intervals during the use of Nexplanon. This may be just slight staining which may not even require a pad, or heavier bleeding, which looks rather like a scanty period and requires sanitary protection. You may also not have any bleeding at all. The irregular bleedings are not a sign that the contraceptive protection of Nexplanon is decreased. In general, you need not take any action. If, however, bleeding is heavy or prolonged consult your doctor.
Serious undesirable effects are described in the paragraphs of section 2 “Cancer” and “Thrombosis”. Please read this section for additional information and consult your doctor at once where appropriate.
The following side effects have been reported:
Very Common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Apart from these side effects, a rise in blood pressure has occasionally been observed. Also oily skin has been observed. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as (i) swollen face, tongue or pharynx; (ii) trouble swallowing; or (iii) hives and trouble breathing.
During the insertion or removal of Nexplanon, some bruising (severe in some cases), pain, swelling, or itching may occur and, in rare cases, infection. A scar may be formed, or an abscess may develop at the implantation site. Due to insertion of the implant you might feel faint. A numb feeling or sensation of numbness (or lack of feeling) may occur. Expulsion or migration of the implant is possible, especially if it has not been inserted properly. In rare cases, 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 and/or cough with or without bleeding. Surgery might be necessary when removing the implant.
There have been reports of blood clot in a vein (known as a ‘venous thrombosis’) or in an artery (known as ‘arterial thrombosis’) in women using etonogestrel implant. A blood clot in a vein can block the vein, and can happen in veins in the leg (a deep vein thrombosis), the lung (a lung embolus), or other organs. A blood clot in an artery can block the artery and may cause a heart attack, or in the brain may cause a stroke.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the blister and carton.
Store in the original blister package.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Each applicator contains one implant with
Nexplanon is a subdermal long acting hormonal contraceptive. It consists of a radiopaque progestagen-only implant preloaded in an innovative, ready-for-use, user-friendly, disposable applicator. The off-white implant is 4 cm in length and 2 mm in diameter and contains etonogestrel and barium sulphate. The applicator has been designed to facilitate the insertion of the implant just below the skin of your inner upper (non dominant) arm. The implant is to be inserted and removed by a healthcare professional who is familiar with the procedures. For uncomplicated removal it is necessary that the implant is inserted just below the skin (see other side of the leaflet). Local anaesthetic should be used before inserting or removing the implant. The risk of complications is small if the provided instructions are followed.
Pack sizes: Carton box with 1 blister pack, carton box with 5 blister packs.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Manufacturer
This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the European Economic Area and in the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) under the following names:
Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Poland, Portugal, Spain: Implanon NXT
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Romania, Sweden, United Kingdom (Northern Ireland): Nexplanon
This leaflet was last revised in March 2023.
© 2023 Organon group of companies. All rights reserved.
PIL.NEX.22.UK.0085.IB-MRI-ISO.RCN001081