I mean it only lasts 3 years instead of 5. They discontinued the 5 year several years ago and a couple years later reintroduced the 3 year one under a new name.

My BFF was on the original for ten years (implanted twice) but when she went to get the third one, it was no longer manufactured.

Norplant distribution in the United States ended in 2002; limited supplies still remained in the U.S. until 2004. Norplant was withdrawn from the UK market in 1999.[4]

Norplant II (Norplant-2, Jadelle), also developed by the Population Council and manufactured by Schering Oy, consists of two small (2.5 mm × 43 mm) silicone rods each containing 75 mg of levonorgestrel in a polymer matrix, instead of six capsules. It was approved May 31, 1996 by the FDA as being effective for three years; it was subsequently approved November 22, 2002 by the FDA as being effective for five years. Jadelle has not been marketed in the United States;[5] Jadelle is the successor to the original Norplant in USAID's contract beginning January 2007.[6]

Though it looks like maybe it is 5 years after all with the new formulation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norplant

Ishtar