A medicine you received as part of your anaesthetic may interfere with hormonal contraception and increase your chance of pregnancy.

This leaflet provides contraception advice for patients who have been given Sugammadex. If you would like further information, please do not hesitate to ask your anaesthetist or pharmacist.

What is Sugammadex?

When you undergo surgery, sometimes medicines are given to relax your muscles. At the end of the operation, the effect of these medicines is reversed before you wake up. Sugammadex is a medicine which reverses muscle relaxation.

Sugammadex has a unique interaction with the hormone progesterone. This may reduce the effectiveness of hormone contraception and may temporarily increase the risk of pregnancy.

What should I do if I have been given Sugammadex?

If you take a hormone contraception to avoid pregnancy and have been given Sugammadex, you will need to follow the guidance below to minimise chances of getting pregnant.

If you take the oral contraceptive pill

Because of the interaction between Sugammadex and your hormones, any oral contraceptive pill you have taken before your surgery will be ineffective. You should treat this as the equivalent of one missed pill. This applies to:

  • The progesterone only contraceptive “mini-pill” (including Desogestrel, Levonorgestrel and Northisterone).
  • The combined contraceptive "pill".

To avoid pregnancy, you must follow the “missed pill” advice in your oral contraceptive package leaflet.

If you use any other hormone contraceptive

If you use any of the following hormonal contraceptives, these will not be effective for up to seven days after surgery:

  • Contraceptive implant (Etonogestrel/Nexplanon®).
  • Hormonal Intra-Uterine System (IUS) including Levonorgestrel/Mirena®, Jaydess®, Levosert®, Benilexa®, Kyleena®.
  • The contraceptive injection Medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera) including SAYANA® PRESS and Noristerat®.
  • The contraceptive patch (EVRA 203).  
  • Vaginal ring (Nuvaring).

To avoid pregnancy, you must use a barrier method of contraception, such as condoms, for the next seven days. Follow the advice in the package leaflet of the contraceptive product.