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levonorgestrel (Norplant)

Tradename: Norplant. Indications: 1) contraceptive: 6 implants subdermal every 5 years 2) emergency (post coital) contraceptive 3) excessive menstrual bleeding in women who use intrauterine contraception Dosage: Capsule: (subdermal implantation: 36 mg) Each Norplant silastic capsule releases 80 ug/day for 6-18 months, after which 25-30 ug/day is released & maintained for a total effective duration of < 5 years. Mirena: intrauterine device (see levonorgestrel-releasing IUD) Adverse effects: 1) common (> 10%) - prolonged menstrual flow, spotting 2) less common (1-10%) - amenorrhea, irregular menstrual cycles, scanty bleeding, pain or itching at implant site, headache, nervousness, breast discharge, myalgia, leukorrhea, vaginitis, nausea, dizziness, dermatitis, acne, change in appetite, weight gain 3) uncommon (< 1%) - infection at site of implantation Drug interactions: 1) carbamazepine 2) phenytoin 3) rifampin Mechanism of action: 1) prevents ovulation or fertilization by altering the fallopian tubal transport of sperm or ova 2) not effective once implantation has occurred or the woman is already pregnant

Interactions

drug adverse effects of contraceptives

Related

levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena, LNG-IUS, LILETTA, Skyla)

Specific

morning after pill

General

norgestrel (Ovrette)

Properties

MISC-INFO: elimination route LIVER pregnancy-category X safety in lactation -

Database Correlations

PUBCHEM cid=13109

References

  1. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed. Gilman et al, eds. Permagon Press/McGraw Hill, 1996
  2. Kaiser Permanente Northern California Regional Drug Alert
  3. Kaiser Permanente Northern California Regional Drug Formulary, 1998
  4. FDA Approves Additional Use for IUD Mirena to Treat Heavy Menstrual Bleeding in IUD Users

Component-of

Climara Pro contraceptive/estradiol/ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel estradiol/ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel estradiol/levonorgestrel ethinyl estradiol/ferrous bisglycinate/levonorgestrel ethinyl estradiol/ferrous fumarate/levonorgestrel ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel (Jolessa, Lessina, Chateal EQ, Aviane) post coital contraception (Plan B, morning after) Seasonale Seasonique (LoSeasonique) Tri-Levlen, Triphasil