etonogestrel at a glance
Medicine class
Progestogen-only hormonal contraceptive
Form
A flexible, radiopaque, non-biodegradable implant placed under the skin
Administration
Inserted and removed by a healthcare professional trained in the procedure
Important limitation
Does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections
What is etonogestrel used for?
The selected product has one licensed indication:
Prevention of pregnancy.
How does etonogestrel work?
Etonogestrel binds to progesterone receptors. It mainly prevents ovulation and also changes cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to pass through the cervix. Its contraceptive effect is reversible after removal.
etonogestrel preparations and strengths
Implant
Route: Implant
Strengths: 68 mg
How to take etonogestrel
Etonogestrel is not swallowed. A trained healthcare professional inserts the implant just under the skin of the non-dominant upper arm and confirms that it can be felt. Contact the clinic promptly if you cannot feel it, think it has moved, or notice increasing pain, swelling or redness. Food and drink do not affect it.
Insertion and removal require a minor procedure, usually with local anaesthetic.
Do not attempt to insert, move or remove the implant yourself.
Keep the implant record or patient alert card provided by the clinic.
etonogestrel side effects
Common or expected effects
- Unpredictable menstrual bleeding, including lighter, heavier, prolonged, irregular or absent periods
- Headache
- Acne
- Breast tenderness or pain
- Reported weight change
- Pain, bruising, itching or irritation at the implant site
- Mood changes, reduced libido, dizziness, nausea or abdominal discomfort
Get urgent medical advice
- Symptoms of anaphylaxis or angioedema, including breathing difficulty or swelling of the face, tongue or throat
- Chest pain, breathlessness or coughing blood
- Severe abdominal pain or fainting when pregnancy is possible
- Marked redness, swelling, pain or discharge at the insertion site
- New severe depression, suicidal thoughts or major mood deterioration
- An implant that cannot be felt, appears displaced or is coming through the skin
etonogestrel in pregnancy
Etonogestrel is not indicated during pregnancy. Pregnancy should be excluded before insertion. If pregnancy occurs with an implant in place, clinical review and removal are required. Abdominal pain or fainting needs prompt assessment because ectopic pregnancy is possible if contraception fails.
etonogestrel while breastfeeding
The implant may be used while breastfeeding. Small amounts of etonogestrel enter breast milk, but available evidence has not shown an adverse effect on milk production or infant growth and development. Discuss individual circumstances with the fitting clinician.
etonogestrel interactions
Check all prescribed, non-prescribed and herbal products before insertion and whenever treatment changes.
Enzyme-inducing antiseizure medicines, including carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, oxcarbazepine and topiramate
May lower etonogestrel exposure and reduce contraceptive effectiveness, so an unaffected contraceptive strategy may be needed.
Rifampicin and similar enzyme-inducing anti-infectives
May increase hormone clearance and lead to contraceptive failure or unexpected bleeding.
Some HIV or hepatitis C medicines
Can increase or decrease etonogestrel concentrations; check the specific combination before relying on the implant.
Common questions about etonogestrel
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Does the implant contain oestrogen?
No. It is a progestogen-only contraceptive implant.
Can it stop my periods?
Yes. Periods may stop, but they may instead become lighter, heavier, prolonged or irregular. The pattern cannot be predicted before insertion.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.