Formulary
Intra-uterine contraceptive devices (copper): Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Intra-uterine contraceptive devices (copper) clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Intra-uterine contraceptive devices (copper): Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Intra-uterine contraceptive devices (copper) clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Contraception for intra-uterine contraceptive devices (copper)**
- **Females of childbearing potential** (By intra-uterine administration): (consult product literature).
Cautions
For intra-uterine contraceptive devices (copper) Anaemia; anatomical abnormalities-seek specialist advice; anticoagulant therapy; cardiac disease-seek specialist advice; endometriosis; epilepsy (risk of seizure at time of insertion); immunosuppression (risk of infection)-seek specialist advice; menorrhagia (progestogen intra-uterine device might be preferable); postpartum-seek specialist advice; risk of sexually transmitted infections; severe primary dysmenorrhoea; young age Cautions, further information With intra-uterine use: If removal is after day 7 of the menstrual cycle, intercourse should be avoided or another method of contraception used for at least 7 days before removal of intra-uterine device. M Sexually transmitted infections and pelvic inflammatory disease With intra-uterine use: The main excess risk of pelvic infection occurs in the first 3 weeks after insertion and is believed to be related to existing carriage of a sexually transmitted infection. The CoSRH advises pre-insertion screening (for chlamydia and, depending on sexual history and local prevalence of disease, Neisseria gonorrhoeae ) be performed in women at risk of sexually transmitted infections. If results are unavailable at the time of fitting an intrauterine device for emergency contraception, consider appropriate prophylactic antibacterial cover.
Contraindications
For intra-uterine contraceptive devices (copper) Active trophoblastic disease (until return to normal of urine and plasma-gonadotrophin concentration); genital malignancy; medical diathermy; pelvic inflammatory disease; post-abortion sepsis; postpartum sepsis; recent sexually transmitted infection (if not fully investigated and treated); severe anaemia; unexplained uterine bleeding; Wilson's disease
Side effects
For intra-uterine contraceptive devices (copper) Frequency not known Abdominal pain lower; anaemia; back pain; device complications; menstrual cycle irregularities; pelvic inflammatory disease; uterine injuries
Pregnancy
For intra-uterine contraceptive devices (copper) If an intra-uterine device fails and the woman wishes to continue to full-term the device should be removed in the first trimester if possible. Remove device; if pregnancy occurs, increased likelihood that it may be ectopic.
Breast feeding
For intra-uterine contraceptive devices (copper) Not known to be harmful.
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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