FDA takes additional action to better understand safety of Essure, inform patients of potential risks
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today two actions to provide important information about the risks of using Essure and to help women and their doctors be better informed of the potential complications associated with implantable forms of sterilization. These actions include a new, mandatory clinical study for Essure to determine heightened risks for particular women and draft guidance with labeling recommendations including a boxed warning label and a checklist for doctors to discuss potential risks of implanted permanent birth control devices with patients. Since Essure’s approval in 2002, the agency has continued to monitor Essure’s safety and effectiveness by reviewing the medical literature, clinical trial information, post-approval study data and medical device reports submitted to the agency. The new actions announced today take additional steps and follow the agency’s careful evaluation of available information.
