Implanon (R) contraceptive implants: effects on carbohydrate metabolism

The objective of the study was to assess the possible differences in effect s of Implanon((R)) and Norplant((R)) implants on carbohydrate metabolism. T his is a 2-year open randomized study of 80 implant (Implanon and Norplant) accepters. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed before implant insertion and at 6, 12. and 24 months after implant insertion. Glycosylate d hemoglobin A(1)C was measured in fasting samples and plasma samples durin g OGTT were tested for glucose and insulin levels. There was a significant increase in the area under the curve for both glucose and insulin during OG TT within each group with increasing duration of use. However, there was no significant change in the fasting plasma glucose values. There was no sign ificant difference in the carbohydrate parameters between the two groups du ring implant use, except for a minimal but statistically significant rise i n fasting glycosylated hemoglobin A,C levels at 24 months in the Implanon g roup. Both implants appear to induce mild insulin resistance but no signifi cant change in serum glucose levels. These alterations in carbohydrate meta bolism should have no clinical significance in healthy women. (C) 2001 Else vier Science Inc. All rights reserved.