Kyleena (levonorgestrel)

Kyleena generic

Kyleena is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Kyleena side effects

Kyleena can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while using Kyleena. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

For more information on the possible side effects of Kyleena, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome. You can also refer to this article for more information.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to report to the FDA a side effect you’ve had with Kyleena, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Below is a partial list of mild side effects of Kyleena. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Kyleena’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Kyleena can include:

• dizziness
• acne
• cramps or painful periods
• bleeding or brown vaginal discharge
• amenorrhea (stopped periods)
• headache or migraine
• alopecia
• pain in your abdomen, pelvis, or breasts
• vulvovaginitis (swelling or infection in your vagina or your vulva, which is the outer area of the female* genitals)
• mild allergic reaction†

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
† For more information about allergic reaction and Kyleena, see “Allergic reaction” below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Kyleena aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

• Pelvic infection, which can lead to a more serious condition called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Symptoms of PID can include:
  • lower abdominal pain
  • chills
  • vaginal discharge that looks or smells different than usual
  • fever
  • painful sex
  • pelvic pain
  • unusual vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding that occurs during sex, between periods, or lasts longer or is heavier than usual
• Perforation (when an IUD* pokes into the wall of your uterus), which may not always cause symptoms. But possible symptoms of perforation can include:
  • lower abdominal pain
  • vaginal bleeding
• Expulsion (when an IUD comes out of your uterus on its own). This doesn’t cause symptoms in some people, but possible symptoms can include:
  • new or worsening vaginal bleeding
  • new or worsening pelvic pain
  • being unable to feel or locate the threads of Kyleena
• Ovarian cysts (pockets of fluid on an ovary). These don’t cause symptoms in most people and usually go away on their own. But in rare cases, they can cause problems, including:
  • pelvic pain
  • abdominal pain
  • vaginal pain during sex
• Ectopic pregnancy, if pregnancy occurs with Kyleena use. Symptoms can include:
  • sharp abdominal cramps
  • pain on one side of the body
  • light vaginal bleeding with pelvic pain
  • upset stomach
  • vomiting
• Severe infection that leads to sepsis (a life threatening response to infection by your immune system). Symptoms of sepsis can include:
  • fever
  • chills or shivering
  • confusion
  • severe pain
  • sweaty or clammy skin
  • tachycardia (increased heart rate)
  • trouble breathing
• Depression or anxiety (mental health conditions that can cause similar symptoms in some people). Symptoms of anxiety and depression can include:
  • changes in your appetite, such as eating more or less than usual
  • fatigue
  • irritability (feeling annoyed or agitated)
  • lethargy (feeling sluggish)
  • loss of interest in usual activities
  • trouble concentrating
  • trouble sleeping
• Allergic reaction.†

* Kyleena is a type of birth control called an intrauterine device (IUD). IUDs are inserted into your uterus by a healthcare professional.
† For more information about allergic reaction and Kyleena, see “Allergic reaction” below.

Side effects in children

Kyleena is approved for use in females* of reproductive age. Reproductive age is the time during which a female is able to become pregnant. It begins at the time of your first period, which often happens around 12 years of age.

However, clinical trials of Kyleena didn’t include females who were younger than 18 years of age. So it’s not known whether side effects of Kyleena in adolescents are similar to those in adults using the drug.

If you have questions about side effects of Kyleena given your age, talk with your doctor.

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

ALLERGIC REACTION

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction while using Kyleena. But it’s not known how often allergic reactions occur in people who use Kyleena.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

• swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
• trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Kyleena. But call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Kyleena vs. Mirena and Liletta

You may wonder how Kyleena compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Here we look at how Kyleena, Mirena, and Liletta are alike and different.

These medications can cause similar side effects, and some different ones as well. To learn more about these IUDs, including their potential side effects, you can refer to the prescribing information for Kyleena, Mirena, and Liletta. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: IUDs can be left inside your uterus for the maximum amount of time that they’re effective. Your doctor can remove an IUD from your uterus after the IUD is no longer effective, or whenever you’d like to stop using it within the effectiveness period.

Things to consider when taking

If you can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy, fertility, birth control, and breastfeeding.

Kyleena and pregnancy

Kyleena is approved to prevent pregnancy. It should not be used during pregnancy.

If you think you may be pregnant while you’re using Kyleena, tell your doctor right away. They may recommend that you take a pregnancy test. Doing so can show whether Kyleena is working to prevent pregnancy.

Risks of using Kyleena during pregnancy

Kyleena isn’t meant to be used while you’re pregnant. Using Kyleena during pregnancy increases your chance of certain risks, including ectopic pregnancy (when a fertilized egg doesn’t implant inside your uterus like usual) and pregnancy loss.

Also, if a female* fetus is exposed to Kyleena, the fetus could be affected. For example, virilization (development of physical traits typically seen in males*) may occur.

Tell your doctor right away if you think you may be pregnant while you’re using Kyleena. They can help you determine the best next steps for your situation.

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

Kyleena and fertility

Kyleena works to prevent pregnancy while it’s placed inside your uterus. After Kyleena is removed from your uterus, your fertility (ability to become pregnant) should return to usual.

If you’re concerned about your ability to become pregnant after having Kyleena removed, talk with your doctor.

Kyleena and other forms of birth control

Kyleena is approved to prevent pregnancy. Typically, you shouldn’t need to use other forms of birth control along with Kyleena to prevent pregnancy.

Note: If Kyleena is inserted more than 7 days after your period started, you should use a backup birth control for at least 7 days. However, if Kyleena is placed within 7 days of your period starting, a backup form of birth control typically isn’t needed.

Kyleena and emergency contraception

Kyleena shouldn’t be used as emergency contraception. And you don’t need to use emergency contraception along with Kyleena.

Emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy after you’ve had sex without birth control. But if you’re using Kyleena, you’re protected from becoming pregnant during sex.

An example of emergency contraception is Plan B, which is also called the morning after pill.

Kyleena and contraception for STI prevention

It’s important to note that Kyleena doesn’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also commonly referred to as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STIs are infections that pass from one person to another during sexual activity.

To help prevent the transmission of STIs, you could use another birth control method, such as a condom or another barrier method, during sexual activity.

Kyleena and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Kyleena should be used while breastfeeding.

It’s important to note that you may have an increased risk of perforation if you have Kyleena placed into your uterus while you’re breastfeeding. With perforation, the IUD pokes into the wall of your uterus. In addition, you may produce less breast milk than usual if you’re using Kyleena while breastfeeding.

If you have questions about using Kyleena while breastfeeding, talk with your doctor. They can discuss with you the risks and benefits of using this method of birth control.

Kyleena uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Kyleena for certain uses. Kyleena may also be prescribed off-label for other uses. (Off-label use is when a drug that’s approved for one purpose is prescribed for a different purpose.)

Kyleena is a birth control method that’s FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy in females of reproductive age. Reproductive age is the time during which a female is able to become pregnant.

Kyleena is a type of birth control called an intrauterine device (IUD). IUDs are inserted into your uterus by a healthcare professional. Kyleena can be used by females who haven’t been pregnant in the past and those who have. It prevents pregnancy by releasing a hormone into your uterus.

Each Kyleena IUD is approved to prevent pregnancy for up to 5 years. After 5 years, it’s no longer effective. Your doctor can remove Kyleena from your uterus after it’s no longer effective or whenever you’d like to stop using it within the 5-year period.

If you and your doctor determine that Kyleena is safe and effective for you, you can continue using this drug for longer than 5 years. However, in that case, you’d need to have your Kyleena IUD replaced every 5 years. This is because each Kyleena IUD is only effective for up to 5 years.

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

Effectiveness for birth control

In clinical trials, Kyleena was effective in preventing pregnancy for up to 5 years.

During the studies, adult females used Kyleena for 3 to 5 years. In each year of the studies, for every 100 females who used Kyleena, the following pregnancy rates were reported:

• 0.16 pregnancies in the first year
• 0.38 pregnancies in the second year
• 0.45 pregnancies in the third year
• 0.15 pregnancies in the fourth year
• 0.37 pregnancies in the fifth year
• 1.45 pregnancies over all 5 years of use

Overall, Kyleena prevented pregnancy for 5 years in 98.6% of females who used it. The pregnancy rate for females who used other birth control drugs in these studies isn’t known.

Kyleena and children

Kyleena is approved to prevent pregnancy in females of reproductive age. Reproductive age is the time during which a female is able to become pregnant. It begins with the first period, which often happens around 12 years of age.

However, clinical trials of Kyleena didn’t include females who were younger than 18 years of age. So Kyleena’s effectiveness in adolescents isn’t known for sure. Kyleena should only be used by females who’ve started having periods.

If you have questions about using Kyleena given your age, talk with your doctor.

Common questions about Kyleena

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions related to Kyleena, which is a form of birth control called an intrauterine device (IUD). IUDs are a form of birth control that’s inserted into your uterus by a healthcare professional.

Can I use tampons if I have a Kyleena IUD?

Yes, you can use tampons if you’re using Kyleena.

Keep in mind that Kyleena is placed inside your uterus. Tampons, on the other hand, are inserted into your vagina. So, it’s possible to use tampons without affecting Kyleena.

Is it safe to have an MRI or X-ray if I have a Kyleena IUD?

Yes, if your doctor recommends an MRI scan or X-ray, it’s generally safe to have one while you’re using Kyleena.

However, before having an MRI scan or X-ray, be sure to tell your healthcare professional if you’re using Kyleena. They may see Kyleena on certain imaging tests, so it’s helpful if they’re aware that you have the IUD.

Are there any nonhormonal birth control options?

Yes, there are several nonhormonal birth control options available. These include:

• barrier methods, such as condoms, cervical caps, spermicides, diaphragms, and sponges
• surgical procedures, such as tubal ligation and vasectomy
• withdrawal method (pulling the penis out of the vagina before ejaculation occurs)

In addition, there’s an IUD available that’s made with copper instead of hormones. This IUD is called Paragard. Like Kyleena, it’s placed inside your uterus to prevent pregnancy. But each Paragard IUD is effective for up to 10 years, unlike each Kyleena IUD, which is only effective for up to 5 years.

If you’d like to know more about nonhormonal birth control options, talk with your doctor. They can recommend birth control options that may be right for you.

Similar drugs

Other drugs are available that can prevent pregnancy. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Kyleena, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Like Kyleena IUD,* the following drugs or devices may be used for birth control:

• copper IUD (Paragard)
• levonorgestrel IUD (Liletta, Mirena, Skyla)

* Kyleena is a type of birth control called an intrauterine device (IUD). IUDs are inserted into your uterus by a healthcare professional.

Kyleena dosage

The following information describes the typical dosage of Kyleena. Because this drug only comes in one strength, everyone using Kyleena will receive the same dosage of the drug.

Drug forms and strengths

Kyleena is a type of birth control called an intrauterine device (IUD). IUDs are inserted into your uterus by a healthcare professional.

Kyleena prevents pregnancy by releasing the drug levonorgestrel inside your uterus. Each Kyleena IUD contains a total of 19.5 milligrams (mg) of levonorgestrel.

Dosage for birth control

The dose of levonorgestrel that’s released from the Kyleena IUDs varies over time. For example:

• Kyleena releases about 17.5 micrograms (mcg) of levonorgestrel each day after 24 days of use
• The amount of levonorgestrel that’s released decreases to:
  • 9.8 mcg each day after 1 year of use
  • 7.4 mcg each day after 5 years of use

On average, Kyleena releases about:

• 12.6 mcg of levonorgestrel each day over the first year
• 9 mcg of levonorgestrel each day over 5 years of use

Children’s dosage

Kyleena is approved to prevent pregnancy in females* of reproductive age.

Reproductive age is the time during which a female is able to become pregnant. It begins at the time of your first period, which often happens around 12 years of age.

The Kyleena dosage used for females younger than 18 years of age is the same as it is for adults. See the “Dosage for birth control” section just above for more information.

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

How it’s placed

Kyleena is a type of birth control called an intrauterine device (IUD). It’s inserted into your uterus by a healthcare professional. This insertion procedure can be performed during an office visit, and it takes only a few minutes to complete.

To place Kyleena, you’ll lie down on an exam table and place your feet into stirrups. (This is the position you’re usually in during a pelvic exam.) Your doctor places a speculum into your vagina, so that they’re able to see your cervix. Then, your doctor cleanses your cervix with an antiseptic solution and inserts Kyleena through your cervix into your uterus.

It’s possible to have pain and cramping while Kyleena is being inserted. And these symptoms may last for a little while after the IUD has been placed. But if you have severe pain or cramping that doesn’t stop within 30 minutes after Kyleena has been inserted, tell your doctor right away. This could be a sign that Kyleena wasn’t placed correctly.

In some cases, your doctor may need to examine you and determine whether Kyleena needs to be adjusted or removed.

To learn more about how Kyleena is placed, you can refer to the manufacturer’s website.

About using Kyleena

Below you’ll find information about key dosage issues.

• When it’s inserted: The appropriate timing for Kyleena insertion depends on several factors. These can include which birth control methods you’ve been using, whether you’ve recently given birth, and more. Also, your healthcare professional will make sure you’re not pregnant before inserting Kyleena into your uterus. They may have you take a pregnancy test. Talk with your doctor about the best time for you to start using Kyleena.
• If you miss a dose: It’s not possible to miss a dose of Kyleena while the device is inside your uterus. However, it’s important to check each month and make sure your Kyleena IUD is in place. Additionally, you should see your healthcare professional once a year for a check of your IUD. For more information about checking your IUD, talk with your doctor.
• Length of use: Kyleena can be used as a long-term birth control option if needed. Each Kyleena device is approved to prevent pregnancy for up to 5 years. If you and your doctor determine that Kyleena is safe and effective for you, you can continue using this drug for longer than 5 years. In that case, you’d need to have your Kyleena IUD replaced every 5 years because each IUD is only effective for this long. It’s possible to use Kyleena until you go through menopause and no longer need birth control.
• Length of time to work: The amount of time it takes for Kyleena to start working depends on when it’s placed. If Kyleena is placed more than 7 days after your period started, you should use a backup birth control method for at least 7 days. However, if Kyleena is placed within 7 days of your period starting, a backup form of birth control typically isn’t needed.

Kyleena interactions

Kyleena is not known to interact with other medications, herbs, supplements, foods, or alcohol. The manufacturer of Kyleena didn’t look at interactions in clinical trials of the drug.

However, this doesn’t mean that interactions won’t be recognized in the future. For example, new drugs could be approved that interact with Kyleena.

Before starting Kyleena treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Kyleena cost

As with all medications, the cost of Kyleena can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan and your location. Also, Kyleena is placed by a healthcare professional, so there will likely be related charges. To find out how much Kyleena will cost, talk with your doctor or their office staff.

Drug coupons: You can visit Optum Perks* for price estimates of Kyleena. These estimates are based on the use of Optum Perks coupons. Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Financial and insurance assistance: If you need financial support to pay for Kyleena or help to understand your insurance coverage, help is available.

Because Kyleena is a birth control drug, the cost of the medication may be covered under the Affordable Care Act. For information on contacting your insurance company to determine whether Kyleena is covered, visit the manufacturer’s website.

Generic version: Kyleena is not available in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.