Other safety alerts
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| The United Kingdom: Nexplanon (etonogestrel) contraceptive implants: reports of device in vasculature and lung |
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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) advised that there have been rare reports of Nexplanon implants having reached the lung via the pulmonary artery.
Nexplanon is a highly effective, long-acting contraceptive implant which contains the active ingredient etonogestrel, a synthetic progestogen. Nexplanon acts by preventing ovulation and is usually effective for 3 years. Safety and efficacy have been established in women between 18 and 40 years old. For maximum effectiveness Nexplanon needs to be correctly implanted by someone who is trained to fit it.
There have been rare reports of Nexplanon implants having reached the lung via the pulmonary artery. The number of reports of Nexplanon implants in the vasculature received by the licence-holder is estimated to be approximately 1.3 per million implants sold worldwide.
Healthcare professionals are advised that an implant that cannot be palpated at its insertion site in the arm should be located as soon as possible and removed at the earliest opportunity. If an implant cannot be located within the arm, perform chest imaging. Correct subdermal insertion reduces the risk of these events. Details of the updated advice can be found at the MHRA website.
Please refer to the following website in MHRA for details:
http://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/nexplanon-etonogestrel-contraceptive-implants-reports-of-device-in-vasculature-and-lung
In Hong Kong, the above product is not a registered pharmaceutical product.
Ends/ Thursday, June 16, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:00
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