Levonorgestrel Administration
Oral Administration
- Instruct patient on risks and warnings associated with hormonal contraceptives (see Patient Information).
- NOTE: If oral contraceptives are used for emergency contraception, they must be administered as soon as possible within the 72 hours following unprotected intercourse.
Subdermal Implant Administration (Norplant®)
NOTE: This drug product is discontinued in the US.
- Levonorgestrel implants should only be administered by physicians specifically trained in administering levonorgestrel by this route.
- Instruct patient on risks and warnings associated with hormonal contraceptives (see Patient Information).
- Norplant® is administered subdermally as 6 Silastic capsules, each containing 36 mg of levonorgestrel, which are inserted in a superficial plane beneath the skin of the upper arm during the first 7 days of the menstrual cycle. Distribution is in a fanlike pattern covering an angle of 75 degrees, each capsule 15 degrees apart at the tip. The capsules must be removed within 5 years, but may be replaced with fresh capsules, if required.
Intrauterine device (IUD) Administration (Mirena®)
- Levonorgestrel IUD is for insertion into the uterus and should only be administered by physicians specifically trained in administering levonorgestrel by this route.
- The IUD system can be inserted at any time during the menstrual cycle. The preferred insertion time is within 7 days of the onset of a menstrual period to reduce the risk of insertion when there is an undiagnosed pregnancy. Alternatively, may be inserted immediately following a first-trimester abortion.
- The retrieval threads should be visible after insertion.
- Placement can be checked with ultrasound.
- Removal by applying gentle traction on the threads with forceps. The arms of the system will fold upward as it is withdrawn from the uterus. The IUD should not remain in the uterus after 5 years. Never reinsert a removed system.
- You may insert a new IUD immediately following removal.
[ Last revised: 9/23/2003 2:19:00 PM ]
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