Levonorgestrel is an emergency contraceptive product that prevents the starting of a pregnancy.
What is Levonorgestrel?
Levonorgestrel is an emergency contraceptive product that prevents the starting of a pregnancy. It contains levonorgestrel, a synthetic progestin, which is also a component of some contraceptive pills. The amount of hormone in one Levonorgestrel tablet corresponds to that gained from a month's dose of minipills.
What is Levonorgestrel used for?
The product is used when condom use or other contraception has failed or when no contraception has been used during intercourse. If pregnancy has already started or starts in spite of emergency contraception, Levonorgestrel does not harm the fetus. Levonorgestrel is not an abortion pill.
Who can use Levonorgestrel?
The product can be used by women from 18 years of age up to menopause, with certain limitations.
Who can not use Levonorgestrel?
Do not use Levonorgestrel if you have a severe liver disease or if you are allergic to the product. If you have a liver disease, cardiac disease, increased risk of blood clotting or extrauterine pregnancy, or inflammatory bowel disease, contact your doctor to assess the risks of Levonorgestrel use.
How is Levonorgestrel used?
The first tablet is taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, and the second tablet 12 (-24) hours after taking the first tablet. The product does not have much contraceptive effect if the first tablet is taken as late as three days after intercourse.
How effective is Levonorgestrel?
The efficacy of the product is the better, the earlier it is taken. If the first tablet is taken within 12 hours of unprotected intercourse, pregnancy probability is 0.5%. If use of emergency contraception is started over 48 hours after intercourse, pregnancy probability is approximately 3%.
How do I know that Levonorgestrel treatment has worked?
Your period will start normally, but it may be a few days late, in 10-15% of the users even more. Levonorgestrel is not likely to have any effect on the amount of bleeding.
If your period does not start within five days of when they normally would have started, you should do a pregnancy test.
Can Levonorgestrel be used as regular contraception?
Levonorgestrel is for temporary use only. You should use a reliable contraceptive method instead of repeated emergency contraception. The product should not be used more than three times a year.
Can Levonorgestrel be used simultaneously with other drugs?
The effect of the product may be weakened if it is used simultaneously with epilepsy drugs or rifampicin and griseofulvin. If you use any drugs regularly, discuss Levonorgestrel use with a doctor or a pharmacist.
Does Levonorgestrel cause adverse effects?
The product may cause passing nausea, vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, headache, breast tenderness and stomach ache. The symptoms will disappear in two days.
Important
Levonorgestrel does not protect from sexually transmitted diseases.
Levonorgestrel is an emergency solution.
The product should not be used more than three times a year, as there is only little information on the safety of repeated use.
Emergency contraception should be used only once during one menstrual cycle.
The efficacy of the product can not be improved by taking more than two tablets. Symptoms of an overdose are nausea and period-like bleeding.
To ensure successful use of Levonorgestrel, discuss the following issues with a pharmacist:
1. Tell the pharmacist if you use regular medication or if you have chronic diseases. The pharmacist will find out if you can use Levonorgestrel.
2. Read the patient information leaflet that comes with the package. Take the first tablet immediately and the second tablet at the earliest 12 hours and at the latest 24 hours after taking the first tablet.
3. The product may cause passing adverse effects. If the symptoms do not disappear in a few days, contact a doctor.
4. If you vomit within three hours of taking the tablet, take another tablet immediately. As the treatment absolutely includes two tablets, buy a new package and take one tablet from it.
5. Wait for your next period to start before possibly using emergency contraception again. Remember to use another form of contraception during this time.
6. Getting your period normally means that emergency contraception has probably worked. If your period is more than 5 days late, you should do a pregnancy test. If you are pregnant, contact a doctor or a maternity clinic.
7. A follow-up doctor's appointment is usually not necessary. Since Levonorgestrel is a temporary solution, visiting a doctor may, however, be necessary to find a reliable contraceptive method.
8. Do not forget the importance of using a condom: only condom use protects from sexually transmitted diseases.
If you are not sure about your situation, please contact a doctor or a public health nurse.