FDA Reaffirms Safety of Norplant

The Food and Drug Administration reaffirmed the safety of the Norplant contraceptive Thursday and announced a new information campaign to ensure that women are adequately told of the implant’s pros and cons. The popularity of the contraceptive implant has plummeted since last summer because of bad publicity generated by more than 200 lawsuits, including 50 class-action suits. Allegations include charges that women received inadequate warnings of such potential side effects as prolonged menstrual bleeding, headaches, weight gain, hair loss and depression, and inadequate warnings of possible complications from the removal of Norplant. Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, which markets Norplant, said it was selling about 800 units a day before the publicity began, compared to well under 100 units a day now.