Efavirenz and Reduced Effectiveness of Contraceptive Implants
This editorial, from the Editor-in-Chief of Global Health: Science and Practice, examines the effect of efavirenz for antiretroviral therapy on contraceptive implants. Despite the decreased efficacy of implants for women taking efavirenz (continued use contributes to lower levels of progestin making pregnancy more likely over time), the solution might not be to discontinue implant use but rather to evaluate the use of levonorgestrel (LNG) implants over the use of etonogestrel (ENG) implants. A possible alternative is to replace efavirenz with another ARV that does not reduce the levels of progestin, specifically dolutegravir, as recommended in the United States.
Citation:
Shelton JD. Reduced effectiveness of contraceptive implants for women taking the antiretroviral efavirenz (EFV): Still good enough and for how long? Glob Health Sci Pract. 2015 Dec 8;3(4):528-31.
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