Implanon, an implantable contraceptive rod for women seeking long-term birth control, will be made available for sale in the U.S. after winning approval from the Food and Drug Administration late Monday.
– The 1.5 inch-long rod is designed to be inserted underneath the skin of the upper arm. Organon USA Inc., which makes Implanon, said Tuesday that it would begin training doctors in August to implant the device.
– Implanon will be the first contraceptive implant to be sold in the U.S. since 2000, when U.S. sales of Norplant were stopped after lawsuits were filed by women injured while having its six rods removed or disturbed by side effects.
– Implanon has been sold in more than 30 countries since 1998. More than 2.5 million women have used it, according to Organon. Implanon releases a low, steady dose of progestin to prevent pregnancy. For some women, it can eliminate monthly periods altogether.
