UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, July 13, 1994
5
Norplant gains local favor despite lawsuits
By Carolyn Durbin Special to the Kansan
Norplant, a contraceptive made by Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, has recently come under fire in the form of a class action lawsuit by about 200 women who claim they were injured during removal of the device.
The contraceptive consists of six capsules surgically implanted into a woman's upper arm. The capsules continually release levonorgestrel (a form of progestin) to prevent pregnancy. The implants are effective for five years and can be inserted in an office visit through a minor surgical procedure.
Audrey Ashby, a Wyeth-Ayerst representative, estimated that about 15 percent of the more than 900,000 American women who had received Norplant later requested removal. Ashby said studies predicted that about 6 percent of the women who asked for removal would have complications, but a smaller percentage actually reported problems.
Henry Buck, a gynecologist at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said that he had not received any phone calls from women concerned about Norplant removal.
"We've done maybe 10 or 15 Norplant insertions since it became available three years ago," Buck said.
Experience doing surgery makes the capsule removal much easier, he said. He has done two or three removals and reported no problems at all.
Buck said he wondered if the problem women have had with removals had to do with the experience level of the people removing them.
Buck said most students do not choose Norplant as a method of contraception.
A part-time clinician at Planned Parenthood in Kansas City said some women might be having problems with removal because the capsules had been inserted incorrectly, or because the capsules sometimes migrate after implantation.
"We get inquiries about Norplant, but the turn off for most women is, first, the cost; and second, the location and possible visibility," he said.
Watkins is one of the least expensive places to get Norplant capsules, he said, and the cost there is $515. Implantation costs $700 to
"From a pure cost point of view, the pill is less expensive," Buck said.
$1,000 through private clinics.
"Some patients don't like the placements," he said. "If someone is wearing a short-sleeved shirt, the capsules are visible if you look for them."
Kristen, a Shawnee senior who asked that her last name not be used, said she had used Norplant for a year and was not concerned either about removal or the lawsuit against Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories.
"When I first heard about the lawsuit, it starred to freak me out," Kristen said. "But when I heard that 1 million women have them and only 200 have filed suit, I quit worrying. I trust my doctor."
Removal of the Norplant capsules requires an injection of local anesthetic and an incision. The lawsuit seeks undisclosed damages and an injunction to prevent Wyeth-Ayerst from selling Norplant to doctors who have not been properly trained to insert and remove it.
The Associated Press contributed information to this story.
Problems with Norplant
Some cases may involve improperly inserting capsules too deeply, making removal difficult.
Some women have experienced problems with the Noiriant contraceptive which requires placing capsules in the arm of the patient.
In some cases, the capsules may migrate slightly.
Source: Kansan staff research
Some scarring and discoloration may occur.
Some cases may involve lack of experience on the part of the clinician removing the capsule. It may not be the same clinician who inserted them.
Dave Campbell / KANSAN
Fine Line Tattoo Inc.
* Fraternity & Sorority Letters
* Baby Jayhawk Tattoo
* Bring your own design or choose from our extensive selection
* Reasonably priced
* Hospital sterilized
Mon - Sat 29th Mass. St
12 - 8pm Topeka
Tues. till 6pm 233-8288
Dickinson
Cinema 6
Little Big League **P** 2:10, 4:35, 7:00, 9:35
Maverick **P** 2:00, 4:40, 7:20, 10:00
Wolf **P** 1:50, 4:30, 7:10, 9:45
Blowen Away **P** 2:10, 4:35, 7:15, 9:40
Forrest Gump **P** 1:15, 4:05, 7:00, 9:55
Love Trouble **P** 1:40, 4:25, 7:15, 9:45
PrimeTime show (+) | Heating Dobb
Sensitive Sensor Anlyme | Imported Scree
SHOWTIMES FOR TODAY ONLY.
The University of Kansas
The University Theatre
Presents
Kansas Summer Theatre '94
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Paul Meier
8:00 p.m.
A performance for
**FRIENDS Of the THEatre benefit.**
A Midsummer Night's Magic, Act III:
Much Ado About Something,
will be held at 8:27 p.m. Sunday, July 17.
For more information call 864-3381
A performance for the
July 15, 16, 22, 23, 24, 1994 Crafton-Preyer Theatre Stage
General admission tickets are available through the KU box offices (Murphy): 913/864-3982, Lied 913/864-ARTS). KU student tickets are available through the SUA Office, Kansas Union; public $6, KU students $3, senior citizens $5; VISA/MasterCard accepted for phone orders.
KEEP IT UNDER YOUR HAT...
THE UNIVERSITY THEATRE IS THE BEST-KEPT SECRET IN TOWN!!!
See the best in live theatre at the most reasonable prices!!!
KANSAS SUMMER THEATRE
**MUNCH AAD ABOUT NOTHING**
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Paul Meier
July 15, 16, 22, 23, 24, 1994
8:27 p.m. Sunday, July 17*
Crafton-Preyer Theatre Stage
*Performance for the Friends of The Theatre benefit, "A Midsummer Night's Magic, Act III; Much Ado About Something." For more information call 864-3381
Tartuffe by Molière
Jesus Christ Superstar
by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
Co-sponsored by Waxman Candles
Directed by Paul Meier
October 14-16* 20.21** 22.194
by JMcGuire
Co-supported by Wiley
Pontiac-Cadillac GMC Trucks
Directed by Ropen Popenhagen
November 11'-13', 17'-18', 19'-194
THE UNIVERSITY THEATRE SERIES
Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Eriel
by Brian Friel
Co-sponsored by Weavers
Directed by Jack Wright
March 3-5, 9, *10*,**11**, 1995
Virtual Reality Project:
The Adding Machine
by Elmer Rice
Directed by Ron Willis
April 21-23, 27, 28* , 29, 1995
Unless noted, all performances are at 8.00 p.m.
*2.30 p.m. matinee*
*2.39 p.m. matinee
** This performance will be signed for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
Season Tickets Now on Sale For information, call 913/864-3982
DON'T MISS OUT!!! WE'RE SAVING A SEAT FOR YOU!
featuring DINE IN or CARRY OUT 11am-3am PUPS Grill Downtown Delivery Available
Downtown Delivery Available
Great Food-Great Music
O Wed Thur
Acoustic Sub-
Open Mic Terraneans
$1* Pints of $1* Sam
Boulevard Adams Draws
Fri Particle Man
Sat
Drivin Jack
All shows Acoustic/or Unplugged
1016 Massachusetts Downtown Lawrence 865-4055
Buy 1, Get 1 FREE Sale!
RAGU SPAGHETTI BY ONE
SAUCE GEL ONE
30.0% TEMPERED FREE
30 OZ., TIME1N1L
GUYS POTATO CHIPS 6.0%
HOMESTYLE
SANDWICH BREAD
20 OZ.
HEINZ PICKLE
BUY ONE
GET ONE
FREE
BUY ONE
GET ONE
FREE
MARTHA GOOCH PASTA
LONG SPAGHETTI
24.00
BUY ONE
RELISH GET ONE
16 oz. FREE
BUY ONE
GET ONE
FREE
BUY ONE
GET ONE
FREE
OPEN 6 a.m. to Midnight 7 days a week, 9th and Iowa
LIBBY SWEET PEAS
18 OZ CAN
BUY ONE
GET ONE
FREE
RAINBOW PAPER
PLATES
100 CT.
16 GALLON KEG
PEPPERidge FARMS
GOLDFISH CRACKERS
CHEDDAR ONLY
BUY ONE
GET ONE
FR F F
STRONGHEART
DOG FOOD
14 OZ. CAN
BUY ONE
GET ONE
FREE
CARESS, LEVER
BAR SOAP
10 OZ. PACKS
BUY ONE
GET ONE
FR I E
BUY ONE
GET ONE
IF I BE
BUY ONE
GET ONE
IF I E