What is Liletta?
Liletta is an intrauterine device that can be used to prevent pregnancy as well as treat heavy menstrual periods. Liletta, an IUD, is a flexible plastic T-shaped device placed inside the uterus, where it releases levonorgestrel.Liletta IUD prevents pregnancy by thickening mucus around the uterus entrance, thinned lining, and stopping sperm from moving or surviving inside the uterus. Liletta treats heavy periods through levonorgestrel's effect on the uterus. Liletta treats heavy periods by controlling the monthly development of the uterus lining. This results in less bleeding every month.Liletta is made up of levonorgestrel, a progestin. It does not contain any estrogen. It is not intended to be used for emergency contraception, and it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases or the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).Liletta is effective for up to eight years in preventing pregnancy and five years for heavy periods or contraception. If you want to continue contraceptive protection, it can be replaced with a new device at the time of removal. Ask your doctor to remove the IUD if you want to stop using it.
Side effects of Liletta
Common Liletta side effects may include:
- Changes in menstrual patterns, pain or discomfort, or bleeding pattern;
- Vaginal swelling or itching
- The IUD may cause temporary discomfort, bleeding, or dizziness.
- Ovarian cysts
- Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloating;
- Headache, migraine, depression, mood changes;
- Breast tenderness or pain;
- Weight gain, acne, oily or dry skin, hair changes, and loss of interest in sexual activity;
- You may experience puffiness on your hands, feet, ankles, or face.
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat.If you experience severe pain on your side or lower stomach, seek emergency medical attention. This could be an indication of a tube pregnancy.IUDs can become embedded in the wall of the uterus or perforate the uterus. In this case, the IUD may not prevent pregnancy, or it could move outside the uterus and cause scarring, infection, or damage to the other organs. The device may have to be surgically removed by your doctor.
Serious Liletta side effects may include:
If you experience:
- Severe cramps or pelvic pain; pain during sexual intercourse;
- Extreme dizziness, or a feeling of being light-headed;
- Severe headache
- Heavy or continuous vaginal bleeding; sores on the vaginal area; or unusual vaginal discharge (watery, foul-smelling, or other symptoms)
- Pale skin, weakness, easy bleeding or bruising, fever, chills, or other signs of an infection
- Jaundice
- A sudden feeling of numbness (especially on one side), problems with vision, or sensitivity to lights
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
Do not use Liletta during pregnancy. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Before you take this drug
IUDs can increase the risk of developing a serious pelvic infection that could threaten your life or your future ability to have a child. This is something you should discuss with your doctor.Liletta should not be used if you have an allergy to levonorgestrel or any other material in the device. Click here to view the full list of Liletta's ingredients.
Liletta should not be used if:
- Undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding;
- Untreated or uncontrolled pelvic infections (vaginal, cervical, or uterine);
- Endometriosis, or a serious infection of the pelvis following a pregnancy or an abortion within the last 3 months.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, unless you have had a normal pregnancy after the infection has been treated and cleared.
- Uterine fibroid tumours or conditions affecting the shape of the uterus
- Cancer in the breast, cervix, or uterus, past or present
- Liver disease (or liver tumour, benign or malignant);
- A condition that weakens the immune system, such as AIDS, leukaemia, or IV drug abuse
- If you already have an intrauterine device in place,
- If you have had an abortion, miscarriage, or loss of pregnancy in the last 6 weeks,
- If you have given birth in the last 6 weeks,
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- High blood pressure, heart problems, a heart attack, or a stroke
- Bleeding problems
- Migraine headaches
- A vaginal, pelvic, or sexually transmitted infection
Pregnancy
Avoid using Liletta during pregnancy. Liletta can cause serious infections, miscarriage, or premature birth. Liletta can also have unwanted effects on a newborn female.
If you fall pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. Watch for symptoms such as fevers, chills, and cramps.
Breastfeeding
Inform your doctor if breastfeeding is taking place. Liletta is safe to use while breastfeeding, as it will not affect the quantity or quality of breastmilk. However, some patients who take progestin-only birth control pills have reported a reduction in milk production. Liletta can also attach to the uterine wall or pass through it when breastfeeding.
How to take Liletta?
A healthcare professional inserts the Liletta IUD through the vagina and then places it into the uterus. You may experience pain, dizziness, or minor vaginal bleeds during the insertion of your IUD. If these symptoms persist for more than 30 minutes, tell your doctor.After a few days, your doctor should check Liletta to ensure it's still in place. You'll also need to have pap smears and pelvic exams every year.Liletta shouldn't interfere with sexual activity, the use of a menstrual cup or tampon, or any other vaginal medication.It may fall out on its own. After every menstrual cycle, check that you can still feel your removal threads in the opening of the cervix. The Liletta device has two threads at the bottom. These are the only parts of the device you can feel while the IUD device is in your uterus. However, unlike a tampon, these threads don't extend beyond your body.If you can't feel the strings, or you believe Liletta is lower or has come outside of your uterus, and you are also experiencing pain or bleeding, call your doctor immediately. You can use a birth control method that does not contain hormones (condom, cervical cap, diaphragm, or contraceptive foam) until your doctor is able to replace the IUD.Your periods may be irregular for a period of 3 to 6 weeks. You may have a lighter or heavier flow, and you may not get a period for several months. If you have not had a period in 6 weeks or you suspect you may be pregnant, tell your doctor.Tell your doctor that you are wearing an IUD before you undergo an MRI.Liletta can be removed whenever you want to stop using it. Liletta is to be removed after 8 years of use as a birth control method and 5 years if used for heavy periods and contraception.You may have to begin using a different birth control method a week prior to Liletta's removal.Only your doctor can remove the IUD. Remove the IUD only with your doctor's help.
Details on dosage
Liletta is a 52-mg tablet containing levonorgestrel, with a 20-mcg/day initial release rate. This drops to 6.5 mg/day within 8 years. Levonorgestrel's average release rate is 13.5 mcg/day for a period of 8 years. The plastic T-shaped frame measures 32mm by 32mm.Liletta can be removed after 8 years of use as a birth control method and 5 years if it is used to reduce heavy periods. If you want to continue contraceptive protection, it can be replaced with a new device at the time of removal.Liletta may be removed whenever desired. However, another method of contraception should be used at least seven days prior to the removal. If there was sexual activity in the week before removal without using a backup method of contraception, the risk of pregnancy is high.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Levonorgestrel is not missed when the IUD releases it continuously.
What happens if I overdose?
It is unlikely that an overdose will occur from levonorgestrel released by the intrauterine system.
What should be avoided?
IUDs can increase the risk of a pelvic infection that is caused by sexually transmitted diseases. Liletta does not protect against sexually transmissible diseases, including HIV and AIDS. A condom can help prevent these diseases.If your partner has HIV or any other sexually transmitted diseases, or if there is a change in your sexual relationship, you should call your doctor.
Interaction with other drug
Levonorgestrel may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your doctor of all the other medications you take.
