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Objectives: To evaluate whether etonogestrel concentrations are reduced to a level that could potentially reduce contraceptive efficacy when the etonogestrel contraceptive implant is used concomitantly with dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy (ART).Study Design: We conducted a non-randomized, open-label, cross-sectional pharmacokinetic study among women using single-rod etonogestrel contraceptive implants in Botswana. We compared plasma etonogestrel concentrations, sampled at a single time-point between 3 and 12 months from implant insertion, among implant users living with HIV and receiving dolutegravir-based ART with HIV-negative implant users. We also assessed concentrations among implant users living with HIV and receiving efavirenz-based ART. We compared geometric mean etonogestrel concentrations analyzing data from 142 participants: 97 HIV-negative, 30 using dolutegravir, and 15 using efavirenz.Results: The groups were similar. Duration of implant use was between 3 and 12 months (median = 5). Geometric mean etonogestrel plasma concentrations and 90% confidence intervals of the mean were 227.5(212.4-243.8), 289.6(251.8-333.0) and 76.4(63.9-91.4) pg/mL among the HIV-negative, dolutegravir- and efavirenz-based ART groups, respectively. All women in the HIV-negative and dolutegravir-based ART groups had etonogestrel concentrations above 90 pg/mL; 9/15 women (60%) using efavirenz-based ART had concentrations below 90 pg/mL. On average, etonogestrel levels were lower among individuals who had implants inserted for longer durations.Conclusions: Implant users receiving dolutegravir-based ART had a higher mean etonogestrel concentration compared to HIV-negative women, and none had etonogestrel concentrations below the posited threshold for ovulation suppression. In contrast, women in the efavirenz-group had much lower etonogestrel concentrations. Overall, these data provide evidence that the etonogestrel implant may be effectively combined with dolutegravir-based ART regimens.Implications: The etonogestrel implant remains a highly effective contraceptive option for women living with HIV who use dolutegravir-based ART. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Reproductive Health is the property of Women's Health & Action Research Centre and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Reproductive Health is the property of Women's Health & Action Research Centre and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To compare plasma etonogestrel concentrations sampled from the contralateral- versus ipsilateral-to-implant arm.Study Design: Sub-analysis of a cross-sectional study in Botswana in 33 participants who provided contralateral and ipsilateral blood samples.Results: Plasma etonogestrel concentrations in contralateral and ipsilateral specimens were highly correlated (correlation coefficient = 0.99; p < 0.0001). Bland-Altman analysis of agreement showed that etonogestrel levels were on average 5.9 pg/mL higher (2.1%) in ipsilateral compared to contralateral specimens (95% confidence interval: -4.1, 15.9 pg/mL).Conclusions: We found no meaningful differences in plasma etonogestrel concentrations between samples taken from the contralateral- versus ipsilateral-to-implant arm.Implications: Our data suggest that etonogestrel plasma concentrations are unlikely to be meaningfully different between samples drawn from the ipsilateral- versus the contralateral-to-implant arms in etonogestrel contraceptive implant users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess etonogestrel contraceptive implant location and outcomes among women referred for "difficult" removal to a specialist clinic in South Africa.Study Design: We performed a retrospective review of cases referred to our clinic for removal of nonpalpable, deep, migrated, or damaged implants, or failed removals from March to August 2017.Results: Most (n = 68, 92%) of the 74 referrals were nonpalpable in our clinic. We used ultrasound for localization and successfully removed 72 implants (97%) in the outpatient clinic.Conclusion: With proper protocols and equipment, localization and removal of nonpalpable implants can be safely and effectively achieved in an outpatient African setting.Implications: Access to providers specially trained in ultrasound localization should be available in all settings where implants are offered. Providing timely access to safe and effective implant removals in routine and difficult cases is essential to ensuring that implant programs are in alignment with rights-based, client-centered family planning principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]