Levonorgestrel: uses, appearance and warnings

Skyla ® is indicated to prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years. Replace the system after 3 years if continued use is desired. Skyla is a progestin-containing intrauterine system (IUS) indicated for prevention of pregnancy for up to 3 years. ( 1 )

Skyla is a LNG-releasing IUS (a type of intrauterine device, or IUD) consisting of a T-shaped polyethylene frame with a steroid reservoir containing a total of 13.5 mg LNG. • One sterile intrauterine system consisting of a T-shaped polyethylene frame with a steroid reservoir containing 13.5 mg levonorgestrel packaged within a sterile inserter ( 3 )

Skyla (levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system), containing a total of 13.5 mg LNG, is available in a carton of one sterile unit. NDC# 50419-422-01 Skyla is supplied sterile. Skyla is sterilized with ethylene oxide. Do not resterilize. For single use only. Do not use if the inner package is damaged or open. Insert before the end of the month shown on the label. Store at 25°C (77°F); with excursions permitted between 15–30°C (59–86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

The use of Skyla is contraindicated when one or more of the following conditions exist: • Pregnancy or suspicion of pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )] • For use as post-coital contraception (emergency contraception) • Congenital or acquired uterine anomaly including fibroids, that distorts the uterine cavity • Acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or a history of PID unless there has been a subsequent intrauterine pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • Postpartum endometritis or infected abortion in the past 3 months • Known or suspected uterine or cervical malignancy • Known or suspected breast cancer or other progestin-sensitive cancer, now or in the past • Uterine bleeding of unknown etiology • Untreated acute cervicitis or vaginitis, including bacterial vaginosis or other lower genital tract infections until infection is controlled • Acute liver disease or liver tumor (benign or malignant) • Conditions associated with increased susceptibility to pelvic infections [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • A previously inserted intrauterine device (IUD) that has not been removed • Hypersensitivity to any component of this product [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 ) and Description ( 11.1 )] • Pregnancy or suspicion of pregnancy. …

• Remove Skyla if pregnancy occurs with Skyla in place. If a pregnancy occurs, there is increased risk of ectopic pregnancy including loss of fertility, pregnancy loss, septic abortion (including septicemia, shock and death), and premature labor and delivery. ( 5.1 , 5.2 ) • Group A streptococcal infection has been reported following insertion of LNG IUS; strict aseptic technique is essential during insertion. ( 5.3 ) • Before using Skyla, consider the risks of PID. ( 5.4 ) • Uterine perforation may occur and may reduce contraceptive effectiveness or require surgery. Risk is increased if inserted in lactating women and may be increased if inserted in women with fixed retroverted uteri and postpartum. ( 5.5 ) • Partial or complete expulsion may occur, which can be unnoticed, leading to loss of contraceptive efficacy. ( 5.6 ) • Evaluate persistent enlarged ovarian follicles or ovarian cysts. ( 5.7 ) • Bleeding patterns become altered, may remain irregular and amenorrhea may ensue. ( 5.8 ) • Skyla can be safely scanned with MRI only under certain conditions ( 5.11 ) 5.1 Risk of Ectopic Pregnancy Evaluate women for ectopic pregnancy if they become pregnant with Skyla in place because the likelihood of a pregnancy being ectopic is increased with Skyla. Approximately one-half of pregnancies that occur with Skyla in place are likely to be ectopic. Also consider the possibility of ectopic pregnancy in the case of lower abdominal pain, especially in association with missed menses or if an amenorrheic woman starts bleeding. The incidence of ectopic pregnancy in clinical trials with Skyla, which excluded women with a history of ectopic pregnancy, was approximately 0.1% per year. The risk of ectopic pregnancy in women who have a history of ectopic pregnancy and use Skyla is unknown. Women with a previous history of ectopic pregnancy, tubal surgery or pelvic infection carry a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy may result in loss of fertility. 5.2 Risks with Intrauterine Pregnancy If pregnancy occurs while using Skyla, remove Skyla because leaving it in place may increase the risk of spontaneous abortion and preterm labor. Removal of Skyla or probing of the uterus may also result in spontaneous abortion. In the event of an intrauterine pregnancy with Skyla, consider the following: Septic abortion In patients becoming pregnant with an IUS in place, septic abortion—with septicemia, septic shock, and death—may occur. Continuation of pregnancy If a woman becomes pregnant with Skyla in place and if Skyla cannot be removed or the woman chooses not to have it removed, warn her that failure to remove Skyla increases the risk of miscarriage, sepsis, premature labor and premature delivery. Advise her of isolated reports of virilization of the female fetus following local exposure to LNG during pregnancy with an LNG IUS in place [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )]. Follow her pregnancy closely and advise her to report immediately any symptom that suggests complications of the pregnancy. 5.3 Sepsis Severe infection or sepsis, including Group A streptococcal sepsis (GAS), have been reported following insertion of a LNG-releasing IUS. In some cases, severe pain occurred within hours of insertion followed by sepsis within days. Because death from GAS is more likely if treatment is delayed, it is important to be aware of these rare but serious infections. Aseptic technique during insertion of Skyla is essential in order to minimize serious infections such as GAS. 5.4 Pelvic Infection Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Skyla is contraindicated in the presence of known or suspected PID or in women with a history of PID unless there has been a subsequent intrauterine pregnancy [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . IUDs have been associated with an increased risk of PID, most likely due to organisms being introduced into the uterus during insertion. In clinical trials, PID was observed in 0.4% of women overall and occurred more frequently within the first year and most often within the first month after insertion of Skyla. Promptly examine users with complaints of lower abdominal or pelvic pain, odorous discharge, unexplained bleeding , fever, genital lesions or sores. Remove Skyla in cases of recurrent endometritis or pelvic inflammatory disease, or if an acute pelvic infection is severe or does not respond to treatment. Women at increased risk for PID PID is often associated with a sexually transmitted infection (STI), and Skyla does not protect against STI. The risk of PID is greater for women who have multiple sexual partners, and also for women whose sexual partner(s) have multiple sexual partners. Women who have had PID are at increased risk for a recurrence or re-infection. In particular, ascertain whether the woman is at increased risk of infection (for example, leukemia, acquired immune deficiency syndrome [AIDS], intravenous drug abuse). Subclinical PID PID may be asymptomatic but still result in tubal damage and its sequelae. Treatment of PID Following a diagnosis of PID, or suspected PID, bacteriologic specimens should be obtained, and antibiotic therapy should be initiated promptly. Removal of Skyla after initiation of antibiotic therapy is usually appropriate. Actinomycosis Actinomycosis has been associated with IUDs. Remove Skyla from symptomatic women and treat with antibiotics. The significance of actinomyces-like organisms on Pap smear in an asymptomatic IUD user is unknown, and so this finding alone does not always require Skyla removal and treatment. When possible, confirm a Pap smear diagnosis with cultures. 5.5 Perforation Perforation (total or partial, including penetration/embedment of Skyla in the uterine wall or cervix) may occur most often during insertion, although the perforation may not be detected until sometime later. The incidence of perforation during clinical trials was < 0.1%. …

The following serious or otherwise important adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the labeling: • Ectopic Pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Intrauterine Pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Group A Streptococcal Sepsis (GAS) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • Perforation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] • Expulsion [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] • Ovarian Cysts [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] • Bleeding Pattern Alterations [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] The most common adverse reactions reported (>10% users) are bleeding pattern alterations, vulvovaginitis, abdominal/pelvic pain, acne/seborrhea, headache/migraine, ovarian cyst and dysmenorrhea/uterine spasm. …

No drug-drug interaction studies have been conducted with Skyla. Drugs or herbal products that induce or inhibit LNG metabolizing enzymes, including CYP3A4, may decrease or increase, respectively, the serum concentrations of LNG during the use of Skyla. However, the contraceptive effect of Skyla is mediated via the direct release of LNG into the uterine cavity and is unlikely to be affected by drug interactions via enzyme induction or inhibition.