Kyleena (levonorgestrel) is a brand-name intrauterine device (IUD) that’s prescribed for pregnancy prevention in some adults and adolescents. Kyleena is inserted into the uterus by a healthcare professional, typically for up to a 5-year period.

Kyleena belongs to a drug class called progestins. Kyleena isn’t available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Kyleena, including its strength and how to use the medication. For a comprehensive look at Kyleena, see this article.

Note: This article describes the typical dosage for Kyleena provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Kyleena dosage that’s right for you.

Read below for Kyleena’s recommended dosage and other details about the drug.

Kyleena form

Kyleena comes as a hormone-releasing IUD. Kyleena is a small, flexible, T-shaped device made of plastic. Your doctor (typically a gynecologist) or another healthcare professional inserts the IUD into your uterus.

Kyleena strength

Kyleena comes in one strength of 19.5 milligrams (mg).

Typical dosages

Kyleena contains 19.5 mg of levonorgestrel, which is released slowly into your body over time. About 24 days after the device is inserted, it releases about 17.5 micrograms (mcg) of levonorgestrel per day. After about 5 years of use, it releases about 7.4 mcg per day. As such, the IUD is effective for birth control for up to 5 years.

The following information describes the dosage that’s commonly prescribed or recommended in adults.

Dosage for pregnancy prevention

Doctors may prescribe Kyleena to help prevent pregnancy. If your doctor prescribes Kyleena, you’ll likely be able to keep the device in place for 5 years. This is the recommended dosage for Kyleena for pregnancy prevention.

Your doctor will remove or replace Kyleena after 5 years. If you’d like to have the IUD removed sooner, talk with your doctor. You can learn more about IUD removal in this article.

Children’s dosage

Kyleena is approved to help prevent pregnancy in females* under 18 years old who can become pregnant. Typically, this is after they have gone through puberty and have a period.

Kyleena’s dosage for children is the same as it is for adults. See “Dosage for pregnancy prevention” just above for more information.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Length of use

Kyleena can be used as a long-term form of birth control. If you and your doctor determine that Kyleena is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

Typically, Kyleena can be left in place for up to 5 years to help prevent pregnancy. If you’d like to continue using Kyleena beyond this time, your doctor must remove the IUD and insert a new device. You can also have the device removed early. For more information about this, talk with your doctor.

Kyleena is an IUD, which is a small, flexible, T-shaped device. Your doctor or another healthcare professional will place Kyleena into your uterus, typically during an office visit. It can also be inserted immediately after childbirth.

First, your doctor will perform a pelvic exam to find the exact position of your uterus. Then, they’ll clean your vagina and cervix with an antiseptic solution. Finally, they’ll slide a slim plastic tube containing Kyleena through your cervix into your uterus. Your doctor will remove the plastic tube and cut the threads attached to Kyleena to the right length.

For more information about IUD insertion, see this article or talk with your doctor. You can also visit the manufacturer’s website to find out what to expect with Kyleena placement.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Kyleena.

Is the dosage of Kyleena similar to the dosage of Mirena?

Not exactly. The typical dosage for Kyleena is one IUD for up to 5 years. The typical dosage for Mirena (levonorgestrel) is one IUD for up to 8 years.

These IUDs release a similar amount of levonorgestrel (the active ingredient) per day. Kyleena contains 19.5 milligrams (mg) of levonorgestrel and releases about 17.5 micrograms (mcg) of the drug per day initially. (For details, see the “Kyleena dosage” section above.) Mirena contains 52 mg of levonorgestrel and initially releases about 21 mcg of the drug per day. With both IUDs, the amount of levonorgestrel released decreases over time.

Both Kyleena and Mirena are prescribed to help prevent pregnancy. Mirena is also prescribed to treat heavy menstrual bleeding. Your doctor will prescribe the IUD that’s right for you.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, you can read this article and talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Kyleena to start working, and should I use backup birth control?

The amount of time it takes for Kyleena to work for pregnancy prevention will depend on when it’s inserted. You may need to use a backup form of birth control temporarily, depending on your specific situation.

If you start Kyleena during the first 7 days of your menstrual cycle, you may not need a backup method. If you start Kyleena after that, you should use a barrier method (such as a condom) for at least 7 days. Talk with your doctor about when and how long you should use a backup method.

If you’re currently using a hormonal contraceptive (such as birth control pills) and switching to Kyleena, talk with your doctor. They’ll advise you about your birth control needs after Kyleena insertion.

Note: Kyleena does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Using a barrier method during sexual activity can help prevent STIs.

The dosage in this article is the typical dosage provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Kyleena for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

If you have questions about the dosage of Kyleena that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Kyleena. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Kyleena: For information about other aspects of Kyleena, refer to this article.
  • Side effects: To learn about side effects of Kyleena, see this article. You can also look at the Kyleena prescribing information.
  • Drug comparison: To find out how Kyleena compares with Mirena, read this article.
  • Interactions: For details about what Kyleena interacts with, see this article.
  • Details about birth control: For details about birth control, see our sexual health hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.