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Drug Safety-related Labeling Changes (SrLC)

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IMPLANON (NDA-021529)

(ETONOGESTREL)

Safety-related Labeling Changes Approved by FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)

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03/14/2016 (SUPPL-13)

Approved Drug Label (PDF)

5 Warnings and Precautions

Complications of Insertion and Removal
  • There have been reports of migration of the implant within the arm from the insertion site, which may be related to deep insertion. There also have been postmarketing reports of implants located within the vessels of the arm and the pulmonary artery, which may be related to deep insertions or intravascular insertion. In cases where the implant has migrated to the pulmonary artery, endovascular or surgical procedures may be needed for removal.
  • If at any time the implant cannot be palpated, it should be localized and removal is recommended.
  • Exploratory surgery without knowledge of the exact location of the implant is strongly discouraged.
  • Removal of deeply inserted implants should be conducted with caution in order to prevent injury to deeper neural or vascular structures in the arm and be performed by healthcare providers familiar with the anatomy of the arm. If the implant is located in the chest, healthcare providers familiar with the anatomy of the chest should be consulted. Failure to remove the implant may result in continued effects of etonogestrel, such as compromised fertility, ectopic pregnancy, or persistence or occurrence of a drug related adverse event.

6 Adverse Reactions

Postmarketing Experience

Expulsion or migration of the implant have been reported, including to the chest wall. In some cases, implants have been found within the vasculature, including the pulmonary artery. Some cases of implants found within the pulmonary artery reported chest pain and/or dyspnea; others have been reported as asymptomatic. Surgical intervention might be necessary when removing the implant.