Safely Buy Implanon ( Etonogestrel ) from Canada Prescriptions Plus.

Indications

Implanon is a contraceptive implant that is a flexible plastic rod about the size of a matchstick placed under the upper arm’s skin. It slowly releases synthetic progestin etonogestrel into the body over up to three years, preventing pregnancy.

Implanon is a non-biodegradable, off-white, single-rod subdermal contraceptive implant that does not contain estrogen, does not contain latex, and is not radio-opaque.

Use and Dosage

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist or health care provider before the rod is placed. Read and sign the Informed Consent provided by your doctor. You will also be given a User Card with the date and the place on your body where the rod was inserted. Keep the card and use it to remind yourself when to schedule an appointment to have the rod removed. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Ask your doctor about the best time to schedule your appointment to have the rod placed. Your doctor may want you to have a pregnancy test first. The medication usually starts working right away when the rod is inserted during the first 5 days of your period. If your appointment is at another time in your menstrual cycle, you may need to use a non-hormonal form of birth control (such as condoms, diaphragm, or spermicide) for the first 7 days after the rod is placed. Ask your doctor about whether you need back-up birth control.

The rod will be inserted under the skin of your upper arm by a healthcare professional. Usually, it will be placed in the arm that you do not write with. Be sure you can feel the rod underneath your skin after it has been placed. If at any time you cannot feel the rod underneath the skin or feel that the rod has been bent or broken, tell your doctor right away.

There will be 2 bandages covering the area where the rod is placed. Leave the top bandage on for 24 hours. Keep the smaller bandage on as directed by your doctor, usually for 3 to 5 days. Keep the bandage clean and dry.

The rod must be removed after 3 years and can be replaced if continued birth control is desired. The rod can be removed at any time by a trained healthcare professional if birth control is no longer desired or if there are side effects.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Serious side effects include:

• Warmth, redness, swelling, or oozing where the implant was inserted
• Severe pain or cramping in your pelvic area (possibly only on one side)
• Signs of a stroke–sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance
• Signs of a blood clot–sudden vision loss, stabbing chest pain, feeling short of breath, coughing up blood, or pain or warmth in one or both legs
• Heart attack symptoms–chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, or sweating
• Increased blood pressure–severe headache, blurred vision, or pounding in your neck or ears
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• A breast lump
• Symptoms of depression–sleep problems, weakness, tired feeling, or mood changes

Common side effects of etonogestrel may include:

• Pain where the implant was inserted
• Changes in your menstrual periods
• Vaginal itching or discharge
• Acne, mood changes, weight gain
• Back pain, menstrual cramps
• Nausea, stomach pain
• Breast pain
• Headache, dizziness
• Flu-like symptoms, sore throat

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

Cautions

Before using etonogestrel, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other progestins (such as norethindrone, desogestrel); or to any anesthetics or antiseptics that might be used in the procedure; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: blood clots (for example in the legs, eyes, and lungs), blood clotting disorders (such as protein C or protein S deficiency), high blood pressure, abnormal breast exam, personal or family history of cancer (especially breast or cervical cancer), high cholesterol or triglyceride (blood fat) levels, depression, diabetes, gall bladder problems, severe headaches/migraine, heart problems (such as heart valve disease, irregular heartbeat, previous heart attack), history of yellowing eyes/skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or while using hormonal birth control (such as pills, patch), kidney disease, liver disease (including tumors), stroke, swelling (edema), unexplained vaginal bleeding.

Do not use this medication if you smoke cigarettes/use tobacco and are over 35 years old. Smoking raises your risk of stroke, heart attack, blood clots, and high blood pressure from hormonal birth control (such as the pill, implant, patch, or ring). The risk of these serious problems increases with age and with the number of cigarettes you smoke. Do not smoke or use tobacco.

Tell your doctor at least 4 weeks beforehand if you will be having surgery or will be confined to a chair or bed for a long time (such as on a long plane flight). You may need to have this medication removed for a time or take special precautions.

This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you dizzier. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

This medication may cause blotchy, dark areas on your face and skin (melasma). Sunlight may worsen this effect. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.

If you are nearsighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems or trouble wearing your contact lenses. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur.

This product must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away. A certain serious pregnancy problem (ectopic pregnancy) may be more likely if you become pregnant while using this product.

This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Form and Strengths

Implanon is available in the following form and strengths:

• Implanon Implant:
  • 68 mg

FAQ

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since etonogestrel is given as an implant by a healthcare professional, you will not be on a frequent dosing schedule. Be sure to see your doctor for removal of the implant by the end of the third year.

What happens if I overdose?

If the implant is correctly inserted, an overdose of etonogestrel is highly unlikely.

What should I avoid while taking an etonogestrel implant?

You should not smoke while using an etonogestrel implant.

Etonogestrel implant will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases–including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect you from these diseases.

Resources:

1. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-144857/implanon-subdermal/details
2. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/021529s004lbl.pdf
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2683610/
4. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/etonogestrel-implant.html#side-effects