Download levonorgestrel intrauterine system

levonorgestrel intrauterine system
(boe SUE tin ib)
Mirena, Skyla
What is the most important information I should know about levonorgestrel intrauterine system?
• The levonorgestrel intrauterine system should not be used during pregnancy.
• You should not use this medicine if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding, uterine infection after a pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease
(PID), uterine fibroid tumors, a vaginal or cervical infection, abnormal Pap smear, breast cancer, cervical or uterine cancer, liver disease, or
liver tumor.
• Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of a stroke or heart attack, such as sudden numbness or weakness, severe headache, or chest
pain.
What is levonorgestrel intrauterine system?
• Levonorgestrel is a female hormone that can cause changes in your cervical mucus and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the
uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.
• Levonorgestrel intrauterine system is a plastic device that contains this hormone. This device is placed in the uterus where it slowly releases
the hormone to prevent pregnancy for 3 to 5 years. Mirena is meant for use in a woman who has had at least one child.
whether you have children or not.
• Mirena
Skyla
can be used
is also used in women who have heavy menstrual bleeding and choose to use an intrauterine form of birth control.
• Levonorgestrel is a progestin hormone and does not contain estrogen.
The intrauterine device release levonorgestrel in the uterus, but
only small amounts of the hormone reach the bloodstream.
• Levonorgestrel intrauterine system may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking levonorgestrel intrauterine system?
• An intrauterine device can increase your risk of developing a serious pelvic infection, which may threaten your life or your future ability to
have children. Ask your doctor about your personal risk and about ways to help prevent a pelvic infection.
• You should not use this medication if you are allergic to levonorgestrel, silicone, silica, silver, barium, iron oxide, or polyethylene, or if you
have:
· abnormal vaginal bleeding;
· an untreated or uncontrolled pelvic infection (vaginal, cervical uterine, or bladder);
· a serious pelvic infection following a pregnancy or abortion within the past 3 months;
· a history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), unless you have had a normal pregnancy after the infection was treated and
cleared;
· uterine fibroid tumors or other conditions that affect the shape of the uterus;
· past or present breast cancer;
· liver disease or liver tumor (benign or malignant);
· known or suspected cervical or uterine cancer;
· a recent abnormal Pap smear that has not yet been diagnosed or treated;
· a disease or condition that weakens your immune system, such as AIDS, leukemia, or IV drug abuse; or
· if you have another intrauterine device (IUD) in place.
• You may need special tests to safely use a levonorgestrel intrauterine device if you have:
· diabetes;
· a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder;
· migraine headaches;
· a vaginal infection, pelvic infection, or sexually transmitted disease; or
· high blood pressure, heart disease or a heart valve disorder.
• Your doctor may ask about your partner's medical and sexual history before prescribing a levonorgestrel intrauterine device for you.
• The levonorgestrel intrauterine system should not be used during pregnancy.
This device can cause severe infection, miscarriage,
premature birth, or death of the mother if it is left in place during pregnancy. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while using
the intrauterine system.
• If you choose to continue a pregnancy that occurs while using a levonorgestrel intrauterine system, watch for signs of infection such as fever,
chills, flu symptoms, cramps, vaginal bleeding or discharge. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
• If you have recently had a baby and are breast-feeding, wait until your baby is at least 6 weeks old before you start using the intrauterine
system.
How is levonorgestrel intrauterine system used?
• Levonorgestrel is a T-shaped plastic device that is inserted through the vagina and placed into the uterus. You will receive the device in a
clinic setting. Your doctor will place the device into your uterus using a thin plastic tube. The device is usually inserted within 7 days after
the start of a menstrual period.
• You may feel pain or dizziness during insertion of the intrauterine device. You may also have
minor
vaginal bleeding. These
symptoms
should last only 30 minutes or less after the device is inserted.
minutes.
Tell your doctor if you still have these symptoms longer than 30
• A pair of strings is attached to the device for removal when you decide to discontinue using it. Your doctor will cut these strings short
enough so they do not protrude from your vagina. Do not pull on the strings or attempt to remove the device.
• The levonorgestrel intrauterine system should not interfere with sexual intercourse, wearing tampons, or using other vaginal medications
recommended by your doctor.
• After each menstrual period you should check to make sure you can still feel the removal strings. Wash your hands with soap and water, and
insert your clean fingers into the vagina. You should be able to feel the strings at the opening of your cervix. Call your doctor at once if you
cannot feel the strings, or if you think the device has slipped lower in your uterus or out of your uterus. A sudden increase in menstrual
flow may be a sign that the device has slipped out of place.
• If you think the device is not properly in place, use a non-hormone method of birth control (condom, or diaphragm with spermicide) to
prevent pregnancy until your doctor is able to replace the levonorgestrel device.
• Your doctor will need to see you within a few weeks after insertion of the device to make sure it is still in place correctly. You will also need
regular annual pelvic exams and Pap smears.
• If you need to have an MRI
(magnetic resonance imaging), tell your caregivers ahead of time that you have the levonorgestrel intrauterine
system in place.
• You may have irregular periods during the first 3 to 6 months of use. Your flow may be lighter or heavier, and you may eventually stop
having periods after several months.
Call your doctor if you miss a period or think you might be pregnant.
• Your device may be removed at any time you decide to stop using birth control. The
Mirena
intrauterine system must be removed at the
end
of the 5-year wearing time. The
Skyla device must be removed after 3 years. Your doctor can insert a new device at that time if you wish to
continue using this form of birth control.
Only your doctor should remove the intrauterine system. Do not attempt to remove the
device yourself.
• Following removal of the levonorgestrel intrauterine device, you may become pregnant right away.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Since the intrauterine device continuously releases a low dose of levonorgestrel, missing a dose does not occur when using this form of
levonorgestrel.
What happens if I overdose?
• An overdose of levonorgestrel released from the intrauterine system is very unlikely to occur.
What should I avoid while using levonorgestrel intrauterine system?
• Avoid having more than one sexual partner. Levonorgestrel intrauterine device can increase your risk of developing a serious pelvic infection,
which is often caused by sexually transmitted disease.
• Levonorgestrel intrauterine system
will not
protect you from sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is
the
only way to help protect yourself from these diseases. Contact your doctor if your sexual partner develops HIV or a sexually transmitted
disease, or if you have any change in sexual relationships.
What are the possible side effects of levonorgestrel intrauterine system?
• Get emergency medical help if you have severe pain in your lower stomach or side. This could be a
pregnancy (a pregnancy
that implants in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus). A tubal pregnancy is a medical emergency.
sign of a tubal
• The levonorgestrel intrauterine device
may become embedded into the wall of the uterus, or may perforate (form a hole) in the
uterus. If this occurs, the device may no longer prevent pregnancy, or it may move outside the uterus and cause scarring, infection, or
damage to other organs. Your doctor may need to surgically remove the device.
• Call your doctor at once if you have:
· severe cramps or pelvic pain;
· extreme dizziness or light-headed feeling;
· heavy or ongoing vaginal bleeding, vaginal sores, vaginal discharge that is watery, foul-smelling discharge, or otherwise unusual;
· severe pain in your side or lower stomach;
· pale skin, weakness, easy bruising or bleeding;
· fever, chills, or other signs of infection;
· pain during sexual intercourse;
· sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
· sudden or severe headache, confusion, problems with vision, sensitivity to light;
· jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
· signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Common side effects may include:
· vaginal itching, irregular menstrual periods, changes in bleeding patterns or flow;
· breakthrough bleeding, or heavier menstrual bleeding during the first few weeks after device insertion;
· mild stomach pain, nausea, bloating;
· back pain, breast tenderness or pain;
· weight gain, acne, changes in hair growth;
· mood changes, loss of interest in sex;
· puffiness in your face, hands, ankles, or feet.
• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect levonorgestrel intrauterine system?
• Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using while your uterine device is in place, especially:
· bosentan;
· griseofulvin;
· insulin;
· rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine;
· St. John's wort;
· topiramate;
· a barbiturate--butabarbital, phenobarbital, secobarbital, and others;
· a blood thinner such as warfarin, Coumadin;
· HIV/AIDS medication--efavirenz, nevirapine, ritonavir;
· seizure medication--carbamazepine, felbamate, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, primidone; or
· steroids--prednisone, fluticasone, mometasone, dexamethasone, and others.
• This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with levonorgestrel, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and
herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Where can I get more information?
• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about the levonorgestrel intrauterine system.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date,
and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum
does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational
resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this
service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.
The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug
combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect
of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to
cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have
questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2013 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.01. Revision Date: 3/12/2013.