Legal classification of medication
POM and P
Levonorgestrel can be obtained in accordance with a prescription (POM) given by an appropriate practitioner and also obtained from pharmacies (P) through a one to one consultation with a pharmacist for women over 16 years old. Levonorgestrel can also be obtained from sexual health clinics also known as genitor-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics.
Formulations
Levonorgestrel tablets come as single packs of strength 1.5mg.
Class of drug
Hormonal emergency contraception
Indications
Emergency contraception
How does it work?
It is not fully understood how levonorgestrel works because it depends on where you are in your cycle. Levonorgestrel is thought to work by one of the following mechanisms:
How is it taken?
The tablet is taken as soon as possible, preferably with in 12 hours, and no later than 72 hours (3 days) after you have had unprotected sex. Levonorgestrel can be taken at any time in your menstrual cycle assuming you are not already pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
If you are already using a regular method of contraception such as the contraceptive pill, you can continue taking this at your regular times.
Levonorgestrel may still exert its contraceptive effect if unprotected intercourse takes place again after use of the pill, however it cannot be relied on as a long term contraceptive. Your doctor can discuss you long term methods of contraception, which are more effective in preventing pregnancy.
Levonorgestrel will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STD), only condoms can do this.
Pregnancy and Breast feeding
Levonorgestrel should not be given to pregnant women. It will not interrupt a pregnancy. There is no evidence that the pill will harm the baby.
Small amounts of levonorgestrel are secreted into breast milk. This is not harmful to the baby. However, if you are still worried you can take the tablet immediately after breast feeding and then drain your milk using a breast pump for 6 hours after taking levonorgestrel and throw away the milk.
Contra-indications
The WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraception Use advices that there are no absolute medical contra-indications to the use of the emergency hormonal contraceptive. If you fall in one of the categories above your doctor will advice if the levonorgestrel pill will be appropriate for use.
Side-effects
If you experience vomiting within three hours of taking levonorgestrel, you should take another tablet as it takes 2 hours for the drug to be fully absorbed into the system and severe vomiting will expel the pill making it less effective.
Most women will have a normal period at the expected time, but some may have their period later or earlier than normal. If your period is more than 5 days late or is unusually light or unusually heavy, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.
