Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Levonorgestrel may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
for
Kyleena is a T-shaped intrauterine delivery system, also known as a hormone coil. It prevents pregnancy for up to five years – it is a contraceptive. Kyleena contains a hormone called levonorgestrel. Figure 1: Kyleena hormone coil
How Kyleena works A healthcare professional will place Kyleena into your uterus. When it is in place, it releases a small amount of hormone continuously.
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Kyleena prevents the sperm and egg from coming into contact and so prevents pregnancy. This is how: • It makes the mucus in the neck of your uterus (cervix) thicken. This prevents sperm from passing through.
2.
e Kyleena
Good to know about Kyleena Your healthcare professional must be sure that this contraceptive is right for you. That is why they will first ask a few questions about your health . Only then will you get a prescription. As a contraceptive, Kyleena prevents pregnancies. But no contraceptive prevents all pregnancies. Each year, about 2-3 out of 1000 women who use Kyleena become pregnant. It does not protect you against HIV infection or other sexually transmitted diseases. It is not an emergency contraception like a morning-after pill. Women who have had sexual intercourse without protection shortly before it is inserted can become pregnant. Do NOT use Kyleena if: • you are pregnant (see the section below 'Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility') • you have an infection of your uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries (pelvic inflammatory disease), or if you have had this several times in the past • you have a disease that makes you more likely to get infections in your pelvis. For example: sexually transmitted diseases or diseases that lower your body's ability to fight off infections, like advanced stages of HIV • you have an infection in your vagina or neck of your uterus (cervix) • you have had a baby, abortion or miscarriage in the past three months and then had an infection of your uterus. • your latest smear test results (cervical screening) were abnormal • you have cancer of your uterus or the neck of your uterus (cervix) – or your healthcare professional thinks you might have this • you have a tumour which needs progestogen hormones to grow – such as. breast cancer • you are bleeding from your vagina, and the cause is unknown • you have a cervix or uterus that does not have a normal shape – such as due to non-cancerous growths in the uterus (fibroids)
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• •
you have liver disease or liver tumour you are allergic to levonorgestrel or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Do not use Kyleena if any of the above apply to you – if you are unsure, talk to your healthcare professional. Warnings and precautions Before using Kyleena, talk to your healthcare professional if you: • have diabetes. Generally, you would not need to alter your diabetes medicines while using Kyleena, but this may need to be checked by your healthcare professional • have epilepsy – a fit (seizure) can happen during the insertion or removal of Kyleena • have had a pregnancy outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy) in the past • have migraines that cause problems with your vision – such as sudden loss of vision in one eye – or that cause other problems (migraines with aura) or if • you have other severe headaches of unknown origin • have jaundice (your skin, nails and whites of the eyes turn yellow) • have high blood pressure • have ever had a stroke or heart attack. If any of the above apply to you (or you are unsure), talk to your healthcare professional before havingKyleena inserted. While using Kyleena, talk to your healthcare professional immediately if you:
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•
you have sudden changes in your menstrual periods. For example: your periods have stopped with Kyleena, and then you suddenly have your period again.
These signs might mean that Kyleena has fallen out – see section 4 under 'If Kyleena falls out'. Or it might mean you have a perforation – see section 4 under 'Perforation'. If you have any of these signs that Kyleena is not in place, talk to your healthcare professional straight away. You should not have sexual intercourse unless you use a condom or diaphragm until your healthcare professional checks that it is still in place. Your partner may feel the threads of Kyleena during sexual intercourse. This does not mean that it is out of place. However, if your partner is uncomfortable feeling the threads, there are things your healthcare professional can do to help. Menstrual hygiene products If you have your period, it is best to use sanitary pads. If you use tampons or a menstrual cup, change it carefully. Otherwise, you might accidentally pull the threads of Kyleena. If you think you may have pulled it out of place (see list above for possible signs), you should not have sexual intercourse unless you use a condom or diaphragm until you see your healthcare professional. Breast cancer Women who take the pill (contraceptive) have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. This returns to the age-appropriate basic risk within 10 years of stopping the pill. Some scientific studies have suggested a slightly increased risk of breast cancer with use of levonorgestrel IUS like Kyleena while other studies have not suggested an increased risk. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns. Mental health problems Some women using hormonal contraceptives, including Kyleena, get depression or depressed mood. See section 4 under 'Mental health problems' for more information. Children and adolescents Girls who have not yet started their period should not use Kyleena. Other medicines and Kyleena Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking, have recently taken or might start taking any other medicines. Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility Pregnancy Do not have Kyleena inserted if you are pregnant. If you stop having your menstrual period while using Kyleena Some women do not have their menstrual period while using Kyleena. If you no longer have your menstrual period, that is probably due to Kyleena. You can read more about this in section 4, under 'Irregular or infrequent bleeding'. Have you not had your menstrual period for 6 weeks? Then you can do a pregnancy test. If the test says you are not pregnant, it is not necessary to do it again. If you feel symptoms of pregnancy If you have signs of pregnancy such as your menstrual periods stopped, feeling sick and tender breasts, you should: 1. take a pregnancy test 2. contact your healthcare professional for an examination
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If you get pregnant If you get pregnant with Kyleena, see your healthcare professional immediately. They will remove Kyleena. There is a risk you will have a miscarriage when Kyleena is removed. However, if you continue your pregnancy with Kyleena in place, you are at greater risk of: • a miscarriage • the baby is born prematurely Talk with your healthcare professional about the benefits and risks of continuing the pregnancy with Kyleena in place. Your healthcare professional will closely monitor you. You should contact your healthcare professional right away if you experience:
Kyleena
Starting to use Kyleena •
Before Kyleena is inserted, it needs to be ensured that you are not pregnant.
•
You should have Kyleena inserted within 7 days from the start of your menstrual period. When it is inserted on these days, it works right away and will prevent you getting pregnant.
•
If you cannot have Kyleena inserted 7 days from the start of your menstrual period or if your menstrual periods come at unpredictable times, then it can be inserted on any other day. In this case, you must not have had sexual intercourse without contraception since your last menstrual period, and you should have a negative pregnancy test before insertion. Also, Kyleena may not reliably prevent pregnancy right away. Therefore, you should use a barrier
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method of contraception (such as condoms) or abstain from vaginal intercourse during the first 7 days after it is inserted. •
Kyleena is not an emergency contraception like a morning-after pill.
Starting to use Kyleena after giving birth • •
Kyleena can be inserted after giving birth once the uterus has returned to normal size but not earlier than 6 weeks after delivery (see section 4 under 'Perforation'). See also 'Starting to use Kyleena' above for what else you need to know about the timing of insertion.
Starting to use Kyleena after an abortion Kyleena can be inserted immediately after an abortion if the pregnancy was less than 3 months along provided that there are no genital infections. It will then work right away. Starting to use a new Kyleena when your current one needs to be replaced Kyleena can be replaced by a new Kyleena at any time of your menstrual cycle. It will then work right away. Changing from another contraceptive method (such as combined hormonal contraceptives, implant)
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come back for a check on your Kyleena at least once a year. Bring the patient reminder card to every appointment.
How to check yourself that Kyleena is in place
You can check this by gently inserting a finger into your vagina. You should then be able to feel the threads at the top of your vagina, near your cervix. Your cervix is the entrance to your uterus. Note: do not pull on the threads, as you may accidentally pull out Kyleena. If you cannot feel the threads, you must have your healthcare professional check whether Kyleena is still in the right place. You should not have sexual intercourse unless you use a condom or diaphragm until you see your healthcare professional. If you can feel the lower plastic end of Kyleena – or if your partner feels it – Kyleena is not in the right place. See your healthcare professional right away. You should not have sexual intercourse until you have been to your healthcare professional unless you use a condom or diaphragm. Removal of Kyleena Kyleena works up to 5 years. You should have it removed after 5 years, but you can also have it removed at any time before the 5 years are up. Your healthcare professional will remove it. After it has been removed, you can become pregnant again. Removing Kyleena can be a bit uncomfortable. Some women feel dizzy or faint during removal or immediately afterwards. You may also feel a little pain and bleed from your vagina. This is not unusual. Continuation of contraception after removal If you do not want to become pregnant after Kyleena is removed, you should know:
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Serious side effects There are some serious side effects which means if you have them, you must talk to your healthcare professional immediately:
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•
you have mood changes and depressive symptoms – see below under 'Mental health problems'. allergic reaction – such as skin rash, hives, or a swollen tongue, lips, face or throat. This type of reaction is very rare.
If you think any of the above applies to you, talk to your healthcare professional immediately. Other side effects Below are other side effects that you may get. The side effects that occur most often are at the top of this list, and those that occur least often are at the bottom. Very common side effects: may affect more than 1 in 10 people • headache • abdominal pain or pelvic pain • spots (acne) or greasy skin • changes in your period, for example: o bleeding more or less than usual o bleeding or bleeding a little (spotting) while not having a period o irregular or infrequent periods o no longer having periods at all You can read more about this in the section 'Irregular or infrequent periods' below.
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fallopian tube or abdominal cavity (ectopic pregnancy). About 2 in a 1000 women using Kyleena for a year will get a pregnancy outside the uterus. Such a pregnancy is a serious condition and needs immediate medical attention. You may need surgery. Some women are more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy. These are women who: • have had an ectopic pregnancy before • have had surgery on the fallopian tubes • have had a pelvic infection Irregular or infrequent bleeding It is likely that your period changes due to Kyleena. For example:
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•
a severe infection or blood poisoning. This is very rare and happens shortly after inserting Kyleena. Blood poisoning means you are very sick due to an infection. Blood poisoning may be fatal if not treated
You must have Kyleena removed if the pelvic infection:
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Ovarian cyst Sometimes with Kyleena, a small fluid-filled sac appears on an ovary. Such a sac is called an ovarian cyst. Signs of an ovarian cyst could be: • pain in your pelvis • pain or an uncomfortable feeling during sexual intercourse. An ovarian cyst usually disappears on its own. However, it might need medical attention. In rare cases, you might need surgery. If you think you might have an ovarian cyst, contact your healthcare professional. Mental health problems Some women using hormonal contraceptives, including Kyleena, get depression or depressed mood. Depression can be serious and may sometimes lead to suicidal thoughts. If you have mood changes and depressive symptoms, contact your healthcare professional as soon as possible. Depression and depressive mood may affect up to 1 in 100 people using Kyleena. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects talk to your doctor, pharmacist, nurse or healthcare professional. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or search for MHRA Yellow Card in Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. For long-acting products like Kyleena, please report information of when Kyleena was inserted and removed, as applicable. 5.
Kyleena
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions. Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not open the blister (the plastic container holding Kyleena). Only your healthcare professional should do this. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. 6.
What Kyleena contains The active substance is levonorgestrel. The intrauterine delivery system contains 19.5 mg levonorgestrel. The other ingredients are:
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What Kyleena looks like and contents of the pack Kyleena is a hormone coil (delivery system for use in the uterus). It has the shape of a letter T and is white. On the vertical part is a small container with the hormone levonorgestrel. There are two blue threads tied to the bottom loop. This allows a healthcare professional to remove Kyleena. There is also a silver ring on it, close to the horizontal arms of Kyleena. Your healthcare professional can see this ring during an ultrasound examination. Pack size:
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—————————————————————————————————————-The following information is intended for healthcare professionals only: INSERTION INSTRUCTIONS Kyleena 19.5 mg intrauterine delivery system levonorgestrel To be inserted by a healthcare professional using aseptic technique. Kyleena is supplied in a sterile package within an integrated inserter that enables single handed loading. The package should not be opened until needed for insertion. Do not resterilize. As supplied, Kyleena is for single use only. Do not use if the blister is damaged or open. Do not insert after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the blister after EXP. Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements. Kyleena is supplied with a patient reminder card in the outer package. Complete the patient reminder card and give it to the patient, after insertion. Preparation for insertion –
–
Examine the patient to rule out contraindications for the insertion of Kyleena (see Summary of Product Characteristics section 4.3 and section 4.4 under Medical examination/consultation). Insert a speculum, visualize the cervix, and then thoroughly cleanse the cervix and vagina with a suitable antiseptic solution. Employ an assistant as necessary. Grasp the anterior lip of the cervix with a tenaculum or other forceps to stabilize the uterus. If the uterus is retroverted, it may be more appropriate to grasp the posterior lip of the cervix. Gentle traction on the forceps can be applied to straighten the cervical canal. The forceps should remain in position and gentle counter traction on the cervix should be maintained throughout the insertion procedure. Advance a uterine sound through the cervical canal to the fundus to measure the depth and confirm the direction of the uterine cavity and to exclude any evidence of intrauterine abnormalities (e.g., septum, submucous fibroids) or a previously inserted intrauterine contraceptive which has not been removed. If difficulty is encountered, consider dilatation of the canal. If cervical dilatation is required, consider using analgesics and/or a paracervical block.
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Insertion 1. First, open the sterile package completely (Figure 1). Then use aseptic technique and sterile gloves.
Figure 1
Kyleena Flange
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Mark Insertion tube with plunger and scale
Slider
Handle with threads inside
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2. Push the slider forward in the direction of the arrow to the furthest position to load Kyleena into the insertion tube (Figure 2).
Figure 2
IMPORTANT! Do not pull the slider downwards as this may prematurely release Kyleena. Once released, Kyleena cannot be re-loaded.
3. Holding the slider in the furthest position, set the upper edge of the flange to correspond to the sound measurement of the uterine depth (Figure 3).
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Figure 3
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4. While holding the slider in the furthest position, advance the inserter through the cervix until the flange is approximately 1.5-2.0 cm from the uterine cervix (Figure 4).
Figure 4
IMPORTANT! Do not force the inserter. Dilate the cervical canal, if necessary.
5. While holding the inserter steady, pull the slider to the mark to open the horizontal arms of Kyleena (Figure 5). Wait 5-10 seconds for the horizontal arms to open completely.
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Figure 5
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6. Advance the inserter gently towards the fundus of the uterus until the flange touches the cervix. Kyleena is now in the fundal position (Figure 6).
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Figure 6
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7. Holding the inserter in place, release Kyleena by pulling the slider all the way down (Figure 7). While holding the slider all the way down, gently remove the inserter by pulling it out. Cut the threads to leave about 2-3 cm visible outside of the cervix.
Figure 7
IMPORTANT! Should you suspect that the system is not in the correct position, check placement (e.g. with ultrasound). Remove the system if it is not positioned properly within the uterine cavity. A removed system must not be re-inserted. Removal/replacement For removal/replacement, please consult the Summary of Product Characteristics for Kyleena.
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Kyleena is removed by gently pulling on the threads with forceps (Figure 8).
Figure 8
You may insert a new Kyleena immediately following removal. After removal of Kyleena, the system should be examined to ensure that it is intact and has been completely removed.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. For long-acting products like Kyleena, please report information of when Kyleena was inserted and removed, as applicable.
Summary of Product Characteristics for Kyleena online at www.pi.bayer.com/kyleena/uk
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The active substance in Kyleena 19.5 mg intrauterine delivery system is levonorgestrel.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Kyleena 19.5 mg intrauterine delivery system, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Contraception for up to 5 years.
Posology
Kyleena is inserted into the uterine cavity and is effective for up to 5 years.
Insertion
It is recommended that Kyleena should only be inserted by healthcare professionals who are experienced in IUS insertions and/ or have undergone training on the Kyleena insertion procedure.
Before insertion, the patient should have been carefully examined in order to detect any contraindication to IUS insertion. Exclude pregnancy before insertion. Consider the possibility of ovulation and conception before using this product. Kyleena is not suitable for use as a post-coital contraceptive (see section 4.3 and section 4.4 under Medical examination/consultation).
Table 1: When to insert Kyleena in women of fertile age
Starting Kyleena
- Kyleena should be inserted into the uterine cavity within 7 days of the onset of menstruation. In this case Kyleena provides contraceptive protection upon insertion and no back-up contraception is needed.
- If insertion within 7 days of the onset of menstruation is not possible or the woman does not experience regular menses, Kyleena may be inserted at any time during the menstrual cycle provided that the healthcare professional can reliably exclude the possibility of prior conception. However, in this case immediate contraceptive protection upon insertion is not reliably ensured. Therefore, a barrier method of contraception should be used or the patient should abstain from vaginal intercourse for the next 7 days to prevent pregnancy.
Postpartum insertion
In addition to the instructions above (Starting Kyleena):
Postpartum insertions should be postponed until the uterus is fully involuted, however should not be performed earlier than 6 weeks after delivery. If involution is substantially delayed, consider waiting until 12 weeks postpartum.
Insertion after first trimester abortion
Kyleena can be inserted immediately after first trimester abortion. In this case no back-up contraception is needed.
Replacing Kyleena
Kyleena can be replaced by a new system at any time in the menstrual cycle. In this case no back up contraception is needed.
Changing from another contraceptive method (e.g., combined hormonal contraceptives, implant)
- Kyleena can be inserted immediately if it is reasonably certain that the woman is not pregnant.
- Need for back-up contraception: If it has been more than 7 days since menstrual bleeding began, the woman should abstain from vaginal intercourse or use additional contraceptive protection for the next 7 days.
Important information to consider during or after insertion
In case of a difficult insertion and/or exceptional pain or bleeding during or after insertion, the possibility of perforation should be considered and appropriate steps should be taken, such as physical examination and ultrasound.
After insertion, women should be re-examined after 4 to 6 weeks to check the threads and ensure that the device is in the correct position. Physical examination alone (including checking of threads) may not be sufficient to exclude partial perforation and ultrasound may be considered (see section 4.4).
Kyleena can be distinguished from other IUSs by the combination of the visibility of the silver ring on ultrasound and the blue colour of the removal threads. The T-frame of Kyleena contains barium sulfate which makes it visible in X-ray examination.
Removal/replacement
Kyleena is removed by gently pulling on the threads with forceps. The use of excessive force/sharp instruments during removal may cause breakage of the system. After removal of Kyleena, the system should be examined to ensure that it is intact and has been completely removed. If the threads are not visible determine the location of the system via ultrasound or other method. If the system is in the uterine cavity , it may be removed using narrow forceps. This may require dilatation of the cervical canal or other surgical intervention.
The system should be removed no later than by the end of the fifth year.
Continuation of contraception after removal
• If the woman wishes to continue using the same method, a new system can be inserted immediately following removal of the original system.
• If the woman does not wish to continue using the same method but pregnancy is not desired, the removal should be carried out within 7 days of the onset of menstruation, provided the woman is experiencing regular menses. If the system is removed at some other time during the cycle or the woman does not experience regular menses and the woman has had intercourse within a week, she is at risk of pregnancy. To ensure continuous contraception a barrier contraceptive method should be used (such as condoms) starting at least 7 days before the removal. After removal, the new contraceptive method should be started immediately (follow the instructions for use of the new contraceptive method).
Elderly
Kyleena is not indicated for use in postmenopausal women.
Hepatic impairment
Kyleena has not been studied in women with hepatic impairment. Kyleena is contraindicated in women with acute liver disease or liver tumour (see section 4.3).
Renal impairment
Kyleena has not been studied in women with renal impairment.
Paediatric population
Use of this product before menarche is not indicated. For data on safety and efficacy in adolescents, see section 5.1.
Method of administration
To be inserted by a healthcare professional using aseptic technique.
Kyleena is supplied in a sterile package within an integrated inserter that enables single handed loading. The package should not be opened until needed for insertion. Do not resterilize. As supplied, Kyleena is for single use only. Do not use if the blister is damaged or open. Do not insert after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the blister after EXP.
Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
Kyleena is supplied with a patient reminder card in the outer carton. Complete the patient reminder card and give it to the patient, after insertion.
Preparation for insertion
- Examine the patient to rule out contraindications for the insertion of Kyleena (see section 4.3 and section 4.4 under Medical examination/consultation).
- Insert a speculum, visualize the cervix, and then thoroughly cleanse the cervix and vagina with a suitable antiseptic solution.
- Employ an assistant as necessary.
- Grasp the anterior lip of the cervix with a tenaculum or other forceps to stabilize the uterus. If the uterus is retroverted, it may be more appropriate to grasp the posterior lip of the cervix. Gentle traction on the forceps can be applied to straighten the cervical canal. The forceps should remain in position and gentle counter traction on the cervix should be maintained throughout the insertion procedure.
- Advance a uterine sound through the cervical canal to the fundus to measure the depth and confirm the direction of the uterine cavity and to exclude any evidence of intrauterine abnormalities (e.g., septum, submucous fibroids) or a previously inserted intrauterine contraceptive which has not been removed. If difficulty is encountered, consider dilatation of the canal. If cervical dilatation is required, consider using analgesics and/or a paracervical block.
Insertion
1. First, open the sterile package completely (Figure 1). Then use aseptic technique and sterile gloves.
2. Push the slider forward in the direction of the arrow to the furthest position to load Kyleena into the insertion tube (Figure 2).
IMPORTANT! Do not pull the slider downwards as this may prematurely release Kyleena. Once released, Kyleena cannot be re-loaded.
3. Holding the slider in the furthest position, set the upper edge of the flange to correspond to the sound measurement of the uterine depth (Figure 3).
4. While holding the slider in the furthest position, advance the inserter through the cervix until the flange is approximately 1.5‑2.0 cm from the uterine cervix (Figure 4).
IMPORTANT! Do not force the inserter. Dilate the cervical canal, if necessary.
5. While holding the inserter steady, pull the slider to the mark to open the horizontal arms of Kyleena (Figure 5). Wait 5 ‑10 seconds for the horizontal arms to open completely.
6. Advance the inserter gently towards the fundus of the uterus until the flange touches the cervix. Kyleena is now in the fundal position (Figure 6).
7. Holding the inserter in place, release Kyleena by pulling the slider all the way down (Figure 7). While holding the slider all the way down, gently remove the inserter by pulling it out. Cut the threads to leave about 2‑3 cm visible outside of the cervix.
IMPORTANT! Should you suspect that the system is not in the correct position, check placement (e.g. with ultrasound). Remove the system if it is not positioned properly within the uterine cavity. A removed system must not be re-inserted.
Removal/replacement
For removal/replacement, please see section 4.2 Insertion and removal/replacement.
Kyleena is removed by gently pulling on the threads with forceps (Figure 8).
You may insert a new Kyleena immediately following removal.
After removal of Kyleena, the system should be examined to ensure that it is intact and has been completely removed.
• Pregnancy (see section 4.6);
• Acute or recurrent pelvic inflammatory disease or conditions associated with increased risk for pelvic infections;
• Acute cervicitis or vaginitis;
• Postpartum endometritis or infected abortion during the past three months;
• Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia until resolved;
• Uterine or cervical malignancy;
• Progestogen-sensitive tumours, e.g. breast cancer;
• Abnormal uterine bleeding of unknown etiology;
• Congenital or acquired uterine anomaly including fibroids which would interfere with insertion and / or retention of the intrauterine system (i.e. if they distort the uterine cavity);
• Acute liver disease or liver tumour;
• Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Kyleena should be used with caution after specialist consultation, or removal of the system should be considered if any of the following conditions exist or arise for the first time:
• migraine, focal migraine with asymmetrical visual loss or other symptoms indicating transient cerebral ischemia
• exceptionally severe headache
• jaundice
• marked increase of blood pressure
• severe arterial disease such as stroke or myocardial infarction
Low-dose levonorgestrel may affect glucose tolerance, and the blood glucose concentration should be monitored in diabetic users of Kyleena. However, there is generally no need to alter the therapeutic regimen in diabetics using levonorgestrel- IUS.
Medical examination/consultation
Before insertion, a woman must be informed of the benefits and risks of Kyleena, including the signs and symptoms of perforation and the risk of ectopic pregnancy, see below. A physical examination including pelvic examination and examination of the breasts should be conducted. Cervical smear should be performed as needed, according to healthcare professional's evaluation. Pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases should be excluded. Genital infections should be successfully treated prior to insertion. The position of the uterus and the size of the uterine cavity should be determined. Fundal positioning of Kyleena is important in order to maximize the efficacy and reduce the risk of expulsion. The instructions for the insertion should be followed carefully.
Emphasis should be given to training in the correct insertion technique.
Insertion and removal may be associated with some pain and bleeding. The procedure may precipitate a vasovagal reaction (e.g. syncope, or a seizure in an epileptic patient).
A woman should be re‑examined 4 to 6 weeks after insertion to check the threads and ensure that the system is in the correct position. Vaginal ultrasound examination may be considered to ascertain the correct position of the system. In case Kyleena cannot be located in the uterine cavity, expulsion or complete perforation should be considered (see paragraph “perforation” below) and X-ray may be used. Thereafter, re-examination should be performed once a year or more frequently if clinically indicated.
Kyleena is not for use as a post-coital contraceptive.
The use of Kyleena for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding or protection from endometrial hyperplasia during estrogen replacement therapy has not been established. Therefore it is not recommended for use in these conditions.
Perforation
Perforation or penetration of the uterine corpus or cervix by an intrauterine contraceptive may occur, most often during insertion, although it may not be detected until sometime later, and may decrease the effectiveness of Kyleena. In case of a difficult insertion and/or exceptional pain or bleeding during or after insertion, appropriate steps should be taken immediately to exclude perforation, such as physical examination and ultrasound. In some of these cases, the device may be located outside of the uterine cavity. Such a system must be removed; surgery may be required.
In a large prospective comparative non-interventional cohort study in users of other IUDs (N=61448 women) with a 1-year observational period, the incidence of perforation was 1.3 (95% CI: 1.1‑1.6) per 1000 insertions in the entire study cohort; 1.4 (95% CI: 1.1‑1.8) per 1000 insertions in the cohort of another levonorgestrel-IUS and 1.1 (95% CI: 0.7‑1.6) per 1000 insertions in the copper IUD cohort.
The study showed that both breastfeeding at the time of insertion and insertion up to 36 weeks after giving birth were associated with an increased risk of perforation (see Table 2). Both risk factors were independent of the type of IUD inserted.
Table 2: Incidence of perforation per 1000 insertions for the entire study cohort observed over 1 year, stratified by breastfeeding and time since delivery at insertion (parous women)
Breastfeedingat time of insertion
Not breastfeedingat time of insertion
Insertion ≤ 36 weeks after delivery
5.695% CI: 3.9‑7.9,n=6047 insertions)
1.795% CI: 0.8‑3.1,n=5927 insertions)
Insertion > 36 weeks after delivery
1.6(95% CI: 0.0‑9.1,n=608 insertions)
0.7(95% CI: 0.5-1.1,n=41910 insertions)
Extending the observational period to 5 years in a subgroup of this study (N=39009 women inserted with another levonorgestrel-IUS or copper IUD, 73% of these women had information available over the complete 5 years of follow-up), the incidence of perforation detected at any time during the entire 5-year period was 2.0 (95% CI: 1.6 – 2.5) per 1000 insertions. Breastfeeding at the time of insertion and insertion up to 36 weeks after giving birth were confirmed as risk factors also in the subgroup that were followed up for 5 years.
The risk of perforations may be increased in women with fixed retroverted uterus.
Re-examination after insertion should follow the guidance given under the heading "Medical examination/consultation" including the consideration to use vaginal ultrasound examination to ascertain the correct position of the system 4 to 6 weeks thereafter which may be adapted as clinically indicated in women with risk factors for perforation.
Lost threads
If the removal threads are not visible at the cervix on follow-up examinations, unnoticed expulsion and pregnancy must be excluded. The threads may have been drawn up into the uterus or cervical canal and may reappear during the next menstrual period. If pregnancy has been excluded, the threads may usually be located by gently probing the cervical canal with a suitable instrument. If they cannot be found, the possibility of expulsion or perforation should be considered. Vaginal ultrasound examination may be used to ascertain the position of the system. If ultrasound is not available or is not successful, X-ray may be used to locate Kyleena.
Breast cancer
A meta-analysis from 54 epidemiological studies reported that there is a slightly increased relative risk (RR = 1.24) of having breast cancer diagnosed in women who are currently using combined oral contraceptives (COCs), mainly using oestrogen-progestogen preparations. The excess risk gradually disappears during the course of the 10 years after cessation of COC use. Because breast cancer is rare in women under 40 years of age, the excess number of breast cancer diagnoses in current and recent COC users is small in relation to the overall risk of breast cancer. The risk of having breast cancer diagnosed in progestogen-only pill users is possibly of similar magnitude to that associated with COC. A number of observational studies have investigated the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in levonorgestrel IUS users, mostly in comparison with the risk in individuals who did not use hormonal contraceptives or in those who did not use LNG IUS. While some of these studies have suggested a slightly increased relative risk in levonorgestrel IUS users, others have not, and the available evidence is overall less conclusive than for COCs.
Ectopic pregnancy
In clinical trials, the overall incidence of ectopic pregnancy with Kyleena was approximately 0.20 per 100 women-years. Approximately half of the pregnancies that occur during Kyleena use are likely to be ectopic.
Women considering Kyleena should be counselled on the signs, symptoms and risks of ectopic pregnancy. For women who become pregnant while using Kyleena, the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy must be considered and evaluated.
Women with a previous history of ectopic pregnancy, tubal surgery or pelvic infection carry an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. The possibility of ectopic pregnancy should be considered in the case of lower abdominal pain, especially in connection with missed periods or if an amenorrhoeic woman starts bleeding.
Because an ectopic pregnancy may impact future fertility the benefits and risks of using Kyleena should be carefully evaluated on an individual woman basis.
Effects on the menstrual bleeding pattern
Effects on the menstrual bleeding pattern are expected in most users of Kyleena. Those alterations are a result of the direct action of levonorgestrel on the endometrium and may not correlate with the ovarian activity.
Irregular bleeding and spotting are common in the first months of use. Thereafter, the strong suppression of the endometrium results in the reduction of the duration and volume of menstrual bleeding. Scanty flow frequently develops into oligomenorrhoea or amenorrhoea.
In clinical trials, infrequent bleeding and/or amenorrhoea developed gradually. By the end of the fifth year about 26.4% and 22.6% of the users developed infrequent bleeding and/or amenorrhoea, respectively. Pregnancy should be considered if menstruation does not occur within 6 weeks of the onset of previous menstruation. A repeated pregnancy test is not necessary in subjects who remain amenorrhoeic unless indicated by other signs of pregnancy.
If bleeding becomes heavier and/or more irregular over time, appropriate diagnostic measures should be taken as irregular bleeding may be a symptom of endometrial polyps, hyperplasia or cancer and heavy bleeding may be a sign of unnoticed expulsion of the IUS.
Pelvic infection
Pelvic infection has been reported during use of any IUS or IUD. While Kyleena and the inserter are sterile they may, due to bacterial contamination during insertion, become a vehicle for microbial transport in the upper genital tract. In clinical trials, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) was observed more frequently at the beginning of Kyleena use, which is consistent with published data for copper IUDs, where the highest rate of PID occurs during the first 3 weeks after insertion and decreases thereafter.
Before electing use of Kyleena, patients should be fully evaluated for risk factors associated with pelvic infection (e.g. multiple sexual partners, sexually transmitted infections, prior history of PID). Pelvic infections such as PID may have serious consequences and may impair fertility and increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
As with other gynecological or surgical procedures, severe infection or sepsis (including group A streptococcal sepsis) can occur following IUD insertion, although this is extremely rare.
If a woman experiences recurrent endometritis or pelvic inflammatory disease or if an acute infection is severe or does not respond to treatment, Kyleena must be removed.
Bacteriological examinations are indicated and monitoring is recommended, even with discrete symptoms indicative of infections.
Expulsion
In clinical trials with Kyleena, the incidence of expulsion was low (<4% of insertions) and in the same range as reported for other IUDs and IUSs. Symptoms of partial or complete expulsion of Kyleena may include bleeding or pain. However, the system can be expelled from the uterine cavity without the woman noticing it, leading to loss of contraceptive protection. As Kyleena decreases menstrual flow, increase of menstrual flow may be indicative of an expulsion.
Risk of expulsion is increased in
- Women with history of heavy menstrual bleeding
- Women with greater than normal BMI at the time of insertion; this risk increases gradually with increasing BMI
Women should be counselled on possible signs of expulsion and how to check the threads of Kyleena and advised to contact a healthcare professional if the threads cannot be felt. A barrier contraceptive (such as a condom) should be used until the location of Kyleena has been confirmed.
Partial expulsion may decrease the effectiveness of Kyleena.
A partially expelled Kyleena should be removed. A new system can be inserted at the time of removal, provided pregnancy has been excluded.
Ovarian cysts/enlarged ovarian follicles
Since the contraceptive effect of Kyleena is mainly due to its local effects within the uterus, there is generally no change in ovulatory function, including regular follicular development, oocyte release and follicular atresia in women of fertile age. Sometimes atresia of the follicle is delayed and folliculogenesis may continue. These enlarged follicles cannot be distinguished clinically from ovarian cysts. Ovarian cysts (including haemorrhagic ovarian cysts and ruptured ovarian cysts) have been reported over the course of the clinical trials as adverse event at least once in approximately 22.2% of women using Kyleena. Most of these cysts are asymptomatic, although some may be accompanied by pelvic pain or dyspareunia.
In most cases, the enlarged follicles resolve spontaneously over two to three months observation. Should an enlarged follicle fail to resolve spontaneously, continued ultrasound monitoring and other diagnostic/ therapeutic measures may be appropriate. Rarely, surgical intervention may be required.
Psychiatric disorders
Depressed mood and depression are well-known undesirable effects of hormonal contraceptive use (see section 4.8). Depression can be serious and is a well-known risk factor for suicidal behaviour and suicide. Women should be advised to contact their healthcare professional in case of mood changes and depressive symptoms, including shortly after initiating the treatment.
Precautions at time of removal
The use of excessive force/sharp instruments during removal may cause breakage of the system (see section 4.2). After removal of Kyleena, the system should be examined to ensure that it is intact and has been completely removed.
Note: The prescribing information of concomitant medications should be consulted to identify potential interactions.
Effects of other medicinal products on Kyleena
Interactions can occur with medicinal products that induce microsomal enzymes, which can result in increased clearance of sex hormones.
Substances increasing the clearance of levonorgestrel, e.g.:
Phenytoin, barbiturates, primidone, carbamazepine, rifampicin, and possibly also oxcarbazepine, topiramate, felbamate, griseofulvin, and products containing St. John's wort.
The influence of these medicinal products on the contraceptive efficacy of Kyleena is not known, but it is not believed to be of major importance due to the local mechanism of action.
Substances with variable effects on the clearance of levonorgestrel, e.g.:
When co-administered with sex hormones, many HIV/HCV protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors can increase or decrease plasma concentrations of the progestin.
Substances decreasing the clearance of levonorgestrel (enzyme inhibitors):
Strong and moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors such as azole antifungals (e.g. fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole), verapamil, macrolides (e.g. clarithromycin, erythromycin), diltiazem and grapefruit juice can increase plasma concentrations of the progestin.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Non-clinical testing of another levonorgestrel-IUS with the same size silver ring and T-body has demonstrated that a patient can be scanned safely after placement of Kyleena (MR conditional) under the following conditions:
• Static magnetic field of 3‑Tesla or less,
• Spatial gradient field of 36000 Gauss/cm (360 T/m) or less
• Maximum whole body averaged specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4 W/kg in the First Level Controlled mode for 15 minutes of continuous scanning
In non-clinical testing, the aforementioned levonorgestrel-IUS produced a temperature rise of equal to or less than 1.8°C at a maximum whole body averaged specific absorption rate (SAR) of 2.9 W/kg, for 15 minutes of MR scanning at 3 T using a transit/receive body coil.
A small amount of imaging artifact may occur if the area of interest is in the same area or relatively close to the position of Kyleena.
Fertility
The use of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system does not alter the course of future fertility. Upon removal of the intrauterine system, women return to their normal fertility (see section 5.1).
Pregnancy
The use of Kyleena during a pregnancy is contraindicated, see section 4.3. If the woman becomes pregnant while using Kyleena the system should be removed as soon as possible, since any intrauterine contraceptive left in situ may increase the risk of abortion and preterm labour. Removal of Kyleena or probing of the uterus may also result in spontaneous abortion. Ectopic pregnancy should be excluded.
If the woman wishes to continue the pregnancy and the system cannot be withdrawn, she should be informed about the risks and the possible consequences of premature birth to the infant. The course of such a pregnancy should be closely monitored. The woman should be instructed to report all symptoms that suggest complications of the pregnancy, like cramping abdominal pain with fever.
In addition, an increased risk of virilising effects in a female foetus because of the intrauterine exposure to levonorgestrel cannot be excluded. There have been isolated cases of masculinisation of the external genitalia of the female foetus following local exposure to levonorgestrel during pregnancy with an LNG-IUS in place.
Breast-feeding
In general, there appears to be no deleterious effect on infant growth or development when using any progestogen-only method after 6 weeks postpartum. A levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system does not affect the quantity or quality of breast milk. Small amounts of progestogen (about 0.1% of the levonorgestrel dose) pass into the breast milk in nursing mothers.
Kyleena has no known influence on the ability to drive or use machines.
Summary of the safety profile
The majority of women experience changes in menstrual bleeding pattern after insertion of Kyleena. Over time, the frequency of amenorrhoea and infrequent bleeding increases, and the frequency of prolonged, irregular and frequent bleeding decreases. The following bleeding patterns were observed in clinical trials:
Table 3: Bleeding patterns reported with Kyleena in clinical trials
Kyleena
First 90 days
Second 90 days
End of year 1
End of year 3
End of year 5
Amenorrhoea
< 1%
5%
12%
20%
23%
Infrequent bleeding
10%
20%
26%
26%
26%
Frequent bleeding
25%
10%
4%
2%
2%
Prolonged bleeding*
57%
14%
6%
2%
1%
Irregular bleeding
43%
25%
17%
10%
9%
*Subjects with prolonged bleeding may also be included in one of the other categories (excluding amenorrhoea)
Tabulated summary of adverse events
The frequencies of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) reported with Kyleena are summarized in the table below. Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness. Frequencies are defined as:
very common (≥ 1/10),
common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10),
uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100),
rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000),
very rare (< 1/10,000).
System Organ Class
Very Common
Common
Uncommon
Psychiatric disorders
Depressed mood/Depression
Decreased libido
Nervous system disorders
Headache
Migraine
Vascular disorders
Dizziness
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal/pelvic pain
Nausea
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Acne/Seborrhoea
Alopecia
Hirsutism
Reproductive system and breast disorders
Bleeding changes including increased and decreased menstrual bleeding, spotting, infrequent bleeding and amenorrhoea
Ovarian cyst*
Vulvovaginitis
Upper genital tract infection
Dysmenorrhoea
Breast pain/discomfort
Device expulsion (complete and partial)
Genital discharge
Uterine perforation**
Investigations
Increased weight
* In clinical trials ovarian cysts had to be reported as AEs if they were abnormal, non-functional cysts and/or had a diameter > 3 cm on ultrasound examination.** This frequency is based on a large prospective comparative non-interventional cohort study with women using another levonorgestrel-IUS and copper IUDs which showed that breastfeeding at the time of insertion and insertion up to 36 weeks after giving birth are independent risk factors for perforation (see section 4.4 under Perforation). In clinical trials with Kyleena that excluded breastfeeding women the frequency of perforation was "rare".
Description of selected adverse reactions
With the use of levonorgestrel-IUS, cases of hypersensitivity including rash, urticaria and angioedema have been reported.
If a woman becomes pregnant while using Kyleena, the relative likelihood of this pregnancy being ectopic is increased (see section 4.4 under Ectopic Pregnancy).
The removal threads may be felt by the partner during intercourse.
The following ADRs have been reported in connection with the insertion or removal procedure of Kyleena:
Procedural pain, procedural bleeding, insertion-related vasovagal reaction with dizziness or syncope. The procedure may precipitate a seizure in an epileptic patient.
Cases of sepsis (including group A streptococcal sepsis) have been reported following IUD insertion (see section 4.4 under Pelvic Infection).
Paediatric population
The safety profile of Kyleena is expected to be the same for adolescents under the age of 18 as for users 18 years and older. For data on safety in adolescents, see section 5.1.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in Google Play or Apple App Store.
For long-acting products like Kyleena, please report information of when Kyleena was inserted and removed, as applicable.
Not relevant.
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
Ask anything about Kyleena 19.5 mg intrauterine delivery system. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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