Implanon NXT Use In Pregnancy & Lactation

Implanon NXT is not indicated during pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs during use of Implanon NXT, the implant should be removed. Animal studies have shown that very high doses of progestagenic substances may cause masculinisation of female fetuses. Extensive epidemiological studies have revealed neither an increased risk of birth defects in children born to women who used OCs prior to pregnancy, nor of a teratogenic effect when OCs were inadvertently used during pregnancy. Although this probably applies to all OCs, it is not clear whether this is also the case for Implanon NXT.
Pharmacovigilance data with various etonogestrel- and desogestrel-containing products (etonogestrel is a metabolite of desogestrel) do not indicate an increased risk.
Clinical data indicate that Implanon NXT does not influence the production or the quality (protein, lactose or fat concentrations) of breast milk. However, small amounts of etonogestrel are excreted in breast milk. Based on an average daily milk ingestion of 150 ml/kg, the mean daily infant etonogestrel dose calculated after one month of etonogestrel release is approximately 27 ng/kg/day. This corresponds to approximately 2.2% of the weight-adjusted maternal daily dose and to approximately 0.2% of the estimated absolute maternal daily dose. Subsequently the milk etonogestrel concentration decreases with time during the lactation period.
Long-term data are available on 38 children, whose mothers had an implant inserted during the 4th to 8th week postpartum. They were breast-fed for a mean duration of 14 months and followed-up to 36 months of age. Evaluation of growth, and physical and psychomotor development did not indicate any differences in comparison to nursing infants whose mothers used an IUD (n=33). Nevertheless, development and growth of the child should be carefully followed. Based on the available data, Implanon NXT may be used during lactation and should be inserted after the 4th post partum week.