If you’re looking at birth control options, your doctor might suggest Nexplanon for you.

The implant is used to prevent pregnancies. It can be used in females of any age who are pregnant.

The active ingredient in Nexplanon is etonogestrel. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) It belongs to a group of drugs called progestins. Nexplanon only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not available in a generic version.

Your doctor or healthcare professional will place a drug under your arm. You can use one implant for up to 3 years.

This article describes the dosage of the Nexplanon implant, as well as its strength and how it’s used. To learn more about Nexplanon, see this in-depth article.

Please keep in mind that this article covers Nexplanon’s standard dosage schedule, which is provided by the drugmaker. Always follow instructions provided by your doctor regarding Nexplanon use.

*We use the term “female” in this article to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

The information below is for common dosage information.

What is Nexplanon’s form?

The implant-shaped NEXplanon is small. It will be placed under the skin of your upper arm by your doctor or healthcare professional.

What strength does Nexplanon come in?

The maximum amount of etonogestrel is 68 milligrams.

What are the usual dosages of Nexplanon?

One dose of NEXplanon is all it comes in. The implant slowly releases the active ingredient into your body over a period of 3 years.

Dosage for preventing pregnancy

For up to 3 years, one can be implanted with theNexplanon. You can have a new implant if your doctor removes it. You can have this done at the same time as your removal.

If you and your doctor determine that NEXplanon is not right for you, it can be removed sooner than 3 years.

Is Nexplanon used long term?

Long-term birth control is possible with the help of the drug, Nexplanon. You will likely have it implanted for 3 years if you and your doctor determine it is safe and effective. You can have a new implant inserted after your doctor removes the one you have.

Below are answers to some questions.

After Nexplanon is inserted, what’s the daily dose of the drug that’s released into my body?

The total dose of etonogestrel is 68 milligrams. The maximum time you can use one implant is 3 years. The daily dose changes over the course of 3 years.

The first 5 to 6 weeks, the dose of etonogestrel is 60 to 70mcg. The dose is reduced to 35 to 45 mcg by the end of the first year. The second year has a daily dose of 30 to 40 mcg. The dose is about 25 to 30 mcg per day by the end of the third year.

If you have questions about the dose that is released into your body, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

If I have problems with the Nexplanon implant, can I have it removed early?

You can. You can have the implant removed earlier than 3 years if you want. Nexplanon must be removed by your doctor or another healthcare professional.

If you experience side effects or if the implant becomes damaged, you may want to have it removed early. If the area where the implant is located is injured, it is possible for it to be damaged. This could cause the implant to break.

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The implant is small and goes under the skin of the arm. If you are right-handed, the device would be placed in your left arm. Your doctor or healthcare professional will insert the drug for you.

You can use one implant for up to 3 years. You can have a new implant if your doctor removes it. You can have this done at the same time as your removal.

If you have questions about how the drug is placed or removed, talk to your doctor.

The drugmaker provides a usual dosage.

If you have questions about the implant, talk to your doctor. You may want to ask some questions.

  • How does the dosage ofNexplanon compare to other options?
  • Will it hurt to have it inserted?
  • Is it possible that I will get a reminder to have Nexplanon removed when I reach the 3-year mark?

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.