Original Research ArticlesEffects on the hemostatic system and liver function in relation to Implanon® and Norplant®1: A prospective randomized clinical trial

In this prospective randomized clinical trial, two long-term contraceptive implants were studied with respect to hemostasis and liver function in 86 healthy young women. The two implants used were Implanon®, containing the progestagen etonogestrel (the biologically active metabolite of desogestrel) and Norplant®, the implant containing the progestagen levonorgestrel. The results of the trial showed that both implants had similar small effects on the hemostatic system that are not suggestive of a tendency towards thrombosis. The effect on liver function was characterized by increases in total bilirubin and γ-glutamyl transferase and decreases in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase.