COPPER

85/100 · Critical

Manufactured by CooperSurgical, Inc.

High Safety Concerns with Copper-Based Contraceptive Devices

116,047 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About COPPER

COPPER is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by CooperSurgical, Inc.. Based on analysis of 116,047 FDA adverse event reports, COPPER has a safety score of 85 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for COPPER include DEVICE EXPULSION, DEVICE BREAKAGE, COMPLICATION OF DEVICE REMOVAL, FOREIGN BODY IN REPRODUCTIVE TRACT, DEVICE DISLOCATION. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for COPPER.

AI Safety Analysis

Copper has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 116,047 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Coopersurgical, Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Device Expulsion, Device Breakage, Complication Of Device Removal. Of classified reports, 45.3% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. The majority of adverse events are serious and involve device-related complications.

Pain and reproductive complications are the most frequently reported issues. There is a significant risk of uterine perforation and other serious complications.

Patients taking Copper should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Copper-based contraceptive devices can cause serious complications such as uterine perforation and device breakage, which may require surgical intervention. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 85/100

Copper received a safety concern score of 85/100 (high concern). This is based on a 45.3% serious event ratio across 38,274 classified reports. The score accounts for 116,047 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

DEVICE EXPULSION10,636 reports
DEVICE BREAKAGE9,388 reports
COMPLICATION OF DEVICE REMOVAL8,216 reports
FOREIGN BODY IN REPRODUCTIVE TRACT7,285 reports
DEVICE DISLOCATION6,762 reports
COMPLICATION OF DEVICE INSERTION6,075 reports
PAIN5,274 reports
REPRODUCTIVE COMPLICATION ASSOCIATED WITH DEVICE3,764 reports
EMBEDDED DEVICE3,603 reports
INJURY ASSOCIATED WITH DEVICE2,852 reports
ANXIETY2,580 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS2,121 reports
OFF LABEL USE2,080 reports
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS2,046 reports
PELVIC PAIN1,982 reports
PROCEDURAL PAIN1,887 reports
VAGINAL HAEMORRHAGE1,572 reports
DEFORMITY1,539 reports
DISCOMFORT1,483 reports
DEVICE USE ISSUE1,358 reports
ABNORMAL UTERINE BLEEDING1,350 reports
PREGNANCY WITH CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICE1,328 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE1,225 reports
DEVICE PLACEMENT ISSUE1,145 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN1,141 reports
MENORRHAGIA1,137 reports
COMPLICATION ASSOCIATED WITH DEVICE1,125 reports
SENSATION OF FOREIGN BODY1,026 reports
DYSMENORRHOEA1,021 reports
HEAVY MENSTRUAL BLEEDING963 reports
DEVICE ISSUE847 reports
MENSTRUATION IRREGULAR798 reports
ECONOMIC PROBLEM784 reports
DEVICE DEPLOYMENT ISSUE766 reports
DYSPAREUNIA766 reports
EMOTIONAL DISORDER719 reports
DEVICE MATERIAL ISSUE623 reports
MATERNAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY622 reports
UTERINE PERFORATION577 reports
VAGINAL DISCHARGE573 reports
DEPRESSION559 reports
PREGNANCY ON CONTRACEPTIVE515 reports
UNINTENTIONAL MEDICAL DEVICE REMOVAL514 reports
METRORRHAGIA494 reports
ABORTION SPONTANEOUS451 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN LOWER427 reports
FOREIGN BODY IN UROGENITAL TRACT420 reports
SURGERY420 reports
OVARIAN CYST415 reports
UTERINE LEIOMYOMA411 reports
BACK PAIN403 reports
INTERMENSTRUAL BLEEDING390 reports
NAUSEA386 reports
INJURY364 reports
EXPOSURE DURING BREAST FEEDING354 reports
ANHEDONIA326 reports
PROCEDURAL HAEMORRHAGE322 reports
ABORTION INDUCED299 reports
FATIGUE296 reports
INTENTIONAL DEVICE USE ISSUE294 reports
INFERTILITY FEMALE283 reports
DISABILITY274 reports
HYSTERECTOMY274 reports
DIZZINESS243 reports
HAEMORRHAGE240 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION239 reports
COITAL BLEEDING233 reports
HEADACHE229 reports
MEDICAL DEVICE COMPLICATION220 reports
VAGINAL INFECTION216 reports
BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS215 reports
MENSTRUATION DELAYED207 reports
DYSFUNCTIONAL UTERINE BLEEDING205 reports
AMENORRHOEA203 reports
SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION202 reports
MENSTRUAL DISORDER201 reports
ABDOMINAL DISTENSION199 reports
MENOPAUSE164 reports
SALPINGECTOMY163 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED162 reports
VOMITING160 reports
STRESS154 reports
ADVERSE EVENT149 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL141 reports
ALOPECIA140 reports
ANAEMIA134 reports
FUNGAL INFECTION133 reports
PRESYNCOPE132 reports
UNEVALUABLE EVENT125 reports
PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE124 reports
POST PROCEDURAL HAEMORRHAGE122 reports
VAGINAL ODOUR122 reports
VULVOVAGINAL PAIN122 reports
MALAISE118 reports
VULVOVAGINAL DISCOMFORT118 reports
CERVICAL DYSPLASIA117 reports
UTERINE PAIN117 reports
DIARRHOEA116 reports
PYREXIA116 reports
RASH116 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High frequency of device expulsion and breakage
  • Significant number of reports of foreign body in reproductive tract
  • Multiple reports of uterine perforation and pregnancy with contraceptive device

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 33,739, Male: 359, Unknown: 3. The most frequently reported age groups are age 25 (1,062 reports), age 30 (1,054 reports), age 27 (1,043 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 38,274 classified reports for COPPER:

  • Serious: 17,331 reports (45.3%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 20,943 reports (54.7%)
Serious 45.3%Non-Serious 54.7%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female33,739 (98.9%)
Male359 (1.1%)
Unknown3 (0.0%)

Reports by Age

Age 251,062 reports
Age 301,054 reports
Age 271,043 reports
Age 311,032 reports
Age 281,025 reports
Age 261,013 reports
Age 291,009 reports
Age 24990 reports
Age 32990 reports
Age 23940 reports
Age 33937 reports
Age 21836 reports
Age 22825 reports
Age 34820 reports
Age 35729 reports
Age 36708 reports
Age 20700 reports
Age 37694 reports
Age 38618 reports
Age 39559 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Copper-based contraceptive devices can cause serious complications such as uterine perforation and device breakage, which may require surgical intervention.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Copper, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include device expulsion, device breakage, complication of device removal, foreign body in reproductive tract, device dislocation. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Women using copper-based devices should be closely monitored by healthcare providers. Patients should report any unusual symptoms or complications immediately. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

Regulatory bodies are closely monitoring these devices and have issued warnings about the potential for serious complications.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Copper?

The FDA has received approximately 116,047 adverse event reports associated with Copper. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Copper?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Copper include Device Expulsion, Device Breakage, Complication Of Device Removal, Foreign Body In Reproductive Tract, Device Dislocation. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Device Expulsion (10,636 reports), Device Breakage (9,388 reports), Complication Of Device Removal (8,216 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Copper.

What percentage of Copper adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 38,274 classified reports, 17,331 (45.3%) were classified as serious and 20,943 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Copper (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Copper break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 33,739, Male: 359, Unknown: 3. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Copper?

The most frequently reported age groups for Copper adverse events are: age 25: 1,062 reports, age 30: 1,054 reports, age 27: 1,043 reports, age 31: 1,032 reports, age 28: 1,025 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Copper?

The primary manufacturer associated with Copper adverse event reports is Coopersurgical, Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Copper?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Copper include: Complication Of Device Insertion, Pain, Reproductive Complication Associated With Device, Embedded Device, Injury Associated With Device. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Copper?

You can report adverse events from Copper to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Copper's safety score and what does it mean?

Copper has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. The majority of adverse events are serious and involve device-related complications.

What are the key safety signals for Copper?

Key safety signals identified in Copper's adverse event data include: High frequency of device expulsion and breakage. Significant number of reports of foreign body in reproductive tract. Multiple reports of uterine perforation and pregnancy with contraceptive device. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Copper interact with other drugs?

Copper-based contraceptive devices can cause serious complications such as uterine perforation and device breakage, which may require surgical intervention. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Copper.

What should patients know before taking Copper?

Women using copper-based devices should be closely monitored by healthcare providers. Patients should report any unusual symptoms or complications immediately.

Are Copper side effects well-documented?

Copper has 116,047 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Pain and reproductive complications are the most frequently reported issues. The volume of reports for Copper reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Copper?

Regulatory bodies are closely monitoring these devices and have issued warnings about the potential for serious complications. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Drugs Also Linked to DEVICE EXPULSION

The following drugs share commonly reported adverse reactions with COPPER:

ETONOGESTREL (55/100)LEVONORGESTREL (45/100)

View all drugs reporting DEVICE EXPULSION →

Related Drugs

Drugs related to COPPER based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

IUDCopper IUDContraceptive DeviceReproductive Health DeviceMedical Device
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.