Scottish Medicines Consortium Approves Use Of 'Nexplanon'(R) (Etonogestrel Implant 68mg) As A Long-Acting Contraceptive Implant

'Nexplanon' ®
(etonogestrel implant 68mg)
has been accepted by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) for use in
NHS Scotland as a long acting reversible contraceptive (LARC).
1


The subdermal implant is inserted just under the skin of a woman's upper arm.
2
It
contains 68mg of etonogestrel,
2
a synthetic form of the naturally occurring female
sex hormone, progestogen, and also 15mg of barium sulphate,
2
which enables
localisation of the implant by X-ray and CT scan.
2


Around half of UK pregnancies are unplanned
3
despite almost three-quarters of
women under the age of 50 using some form of contraception.
4
Launched in 2009 by
NHS Scotland, the 'Giving You More Choice' campaign was focused on increasing
the awareness of LARCs, particularly the most effective LARCs such as the implant.5
Although LARCs are already used by 1 in 25 women in Scotland, NHS Scotland has
engaged with patients to increase awareness and uptake.6


Notes


For full prescribing information, please refer to the Nexplanon® Summary of Product
Characteristics (SPC).


SMC Advice1


ADVICE: following an abbreviated submission


etonogestrel implant 68mg (Nexplanon®) is accepted for use within NHS Scotland.


Indication under review: contraception.


In patients for whom a long-acting etonogestrel implant is an appropriate choice of
contraception.


This formulation of etonogestrel implant is X-ray opaque, allowing verification of presence
and location of implant.


To view the full SMC recommendation, please go
here.


References


1. Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC). Etonogestrel implant 68mg (Nexplanon®). 13
December 2010. Available here.


2. Nexplanon SPC. Available here. [Last accessed 29 November 2010]


3. Kishen M et al. Contraception in crisis. J Family Plan Reprod Health Care. 2006;32(4):211-
212


4. Ladar D. NOS. Contraception and Sexual Health omnibus survey. 2007/08. Available here. [Last accessed: 30
November 2010]


5. NHS Health Scotland. Giving you more choice campaign. Available here. [Last
accessed: 02 December 2010]


6. It's here! Contraception that lasts for years. NHS Health Scotland. 2009/10. Available here. [Last
accessed: 01 December 2010]


Source:

MSD