Injectable contraceptive launched at TRIHMS

Our correspondent

Itanagar, April 27: Antara, an injectable contraceptive, was launched at Tomo Riba Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) at Naharlagun, near here.

The programme, which was organized on Thursday, was attended by gynecologists Dr G C Das, Dr G Doke, Dr A Perme Ete and Dr B Mala, an official release stated on Friday. An eligible patient was injected with the contraceptive antara during the launching of the programme.

Dr Das said that antara study was conducted at Guwahati Medical College (GMC) during 1987-1992 in collaboration with ICMR. The outcome was found to be 100% effective with some 10% complaint of intermittent spotting, 15% amenorrhea and return to fertility was found to be quite effective, he added.

Dr Ete said the contraceptive is safe and highly effective. 'Antara' being effective for three months will help meet the changing needs of couples and help women plan and space their pregnancies. She further added that injectable contraceptive would be initially made available in district hospitals.

Dr Doke said:  "Injectable contraceptive is an effective method of contraception that can be injected subcutaneously or in the muscles (usually buttock or upper arm). It prevents pregnancy from taking place by releasing progestogen in the body. Each dose of injectable contraceptive prevents pregnancy for three months. It is a safe method for maintaining spacing between pregnancies. It can also be used by breastfeeding women (after six weeks of delivery) as it does not affect the quantity, quality and composition of breast milk. It reduces blood loss during periods, decreases menstrual cramps and also reduces pre-menstrual tension."