LEADING POINTS:
- Effective up to 3 days after
- OK when breastfeeding
- Up to 97% effective [2] if taken within 24 hours
Levonorgestrel = 3 day pill. Effectiveness decreases significantly over time
- Up to 97% effective [2] within 24 hours of unprotected sex.
- 85% effective if you take it within 2 days .
- 58% effective after 3 days
MORE INFORMATION ON LEVONELLE:
ABOUT LEVONELLE (LEVONORGESTREL)
Levonelle is one of the morning after pills and a form of emergency birth control. It prevents a possible pregnancy after unprotected sex.
It is a progestogen; an artifical form of progesterone.
HOW DOES LEVONELLE WORK?
It stops the release of an egg (ovulation) which would have been fertilised by a sperm and led to pregnancy.
It disrupts the hormone balance of the reproductive system to signal that it is not ready to release an egg yet.
WHO IS LEVONELLE SUITABLE FOR?
Do NOT take Levonelle if:
- Under 16. Under 16’s CAN buy EllaOne if deemed ‘competent’ enough to understand their situation.
- Rare blood disorder known as acute porphyrias
- Severe issues with absorption of nutrients that would interfere with drug absorption – such as in Crohn’s Disease
- Severe liver issues
- Past pregnancy difficulties, such as ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy in an abnormal location) or tumours during pregnancy (trophoblastic disease)
- History of salpingitis (inflammation of Fallopian tubes of the vagina)
Use within CAUTION if:
- Current breast cancer – seek specialist advice before using
- Diabetic – Levonelle has lactose sugar so may disturb blood glucose levels.
- Heart disease or high risk of heart problems
- History of stroke
- History of blood clots
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Presence of Antiphospholipid Antibodies in blood (positive blood test)
TAKING LEVONELLE WHILST BREASTFEEDING
- Is OK
- Is present in breastmilk but no effects noted.
- To be safe, it is advised to take Levonelle just after breastfeeding so minimal passes into the milk
HOW TO TAKE LEVONELLE
- Usually One tablet as a single dose*
- If you vomit within 4 hours of taking, it may not effective so take another as soon as possible.
*The need for a double dose with Levonorgestrel
Double doses may be needed for many reasons (or different method such as EllaOne or Copper IUD)
- Levonorgestrel is not a one-size fits all and is highly affected by BMI/weight:
- If BMI>26
- Or weight >70kg
- It is recommended one takes two tablets instead of the usual one
- Or they could take EllaOne instead
- You may also need a double dose if taking any other medications that could interfere with Levonelle such as:
- Epilepsy medication
- HIV medication
- Tuberculosis medication
- Herbal remedies – in particular St John’s Wort
- Anti-sickness medication
- Antifungal – Griseofulvin 12121
- These medications make Levonelle less effective.
SIDE EFFECTS OF LEVONELLE:
Common:
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Feeling or being sick
- Changes in period – may be a few days earlier or later than usual, or more painful than usual
- Diarrhea
- Tiredness
Rare/very rare
- Pelvic pain
- Facial swelling
Unknown frequency
- Uncontrolled tissue growth (neoplasm)
- Weight changes
- Depressed mood
- Diabetes
- Blood clot
OTHER WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
- The morning after pill is not 100% effective even when taken early; there is still a chance you could become pregnant even after taking this pill.
- If period delayed by more than 5 days or last period was unusually light or heavy, please see your doctor.
- If significant lower stomach pain that comes on suddenly, speak to doctor right away – sign of ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside of where it normally should be).
LEVONELLE INGREDIENTS
Potato starch
Maize starch
Colloidal silica anhydrous
Magnesium stearate
Talc
Lactose monohydrate.
SOURCES:
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summaries/emergency-contraception/
Shobz Pharmacy 