Levonelle

Authored by

Dr Muhammad Zeeshan Afzal

20 August 2024

What is Levonelle?

Levonelle is a progesterone-only emergency contraceptive pill (ECP), which can be used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or failed contraception.

What is Levonelle One Step®?

Levonelle One Step® is also known as the "morning after pill," but it can be taken up to three days (72 hours) after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.

The earlier you take the Levonelle One Step® morning after pill, the more likely it is to work, so it is critical to act quickly, rather than over a period of days.

Directions:
Take the tablet as soon as possible after unprotected sex, preferably within 12 hours, but no later than 72 hours (3 days).
Swallow the tablet whole, with or without water. Do not put off taking the tablet.
The tablet works best if taken soon after having unprotected sex.
If you already use a regular method of contraception, such as the contraceptive pill, you can continue to use it as usual.

Description

Levonelle as an Emergency Contraceptive

Levonelle is a type of emergency contraception which is a medication taken after unprotected sex, or if a contraception method (e.g. condom) has failed. Levonelle is a morning-after pill that is used within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex. It may also be used if a contraception method was broken or used incorrectly, e.g. a diaphragm moved position or if a daily oral contraceptive was not taken correctly.

What is Levonelle and how does it work?

Levonelle contains the active substance called levonorgestrel. This is a synthetic version of the naturally occurring hormone progesterone which is produced by women in the ovaries. This medication works to prevent pregnancy by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg and disallowing any sperm from fertilising an egg that may have already been released.

Levonelle is most effective when taken as soon as possible after sex, e.g. 12 hours, but should be used within 3 days (72 hours) after unprotected sex.

This medication can be taken by any woman of childbearing age, including adolescents and can be used at any time in the menstrual cycle.

Emergency contraception can be used to prevent pregnancy, however, if you are already pregnant, it will not interrupt an existing pregnancy. Levonelle should not be used as a regular form of birth control.

Is Levonelle right for me?

If you are looking for an effective emergency contraceptive, Levonelle may be right for you. However, it may not be suitable for you if you have the following:

If you are allergic to levonorgestrel or any of the other ingredients of this medicine,
If you suffer from severe asthma,
If you suffer from liver disease,
If you are pregnant or think you may already be pregnant
If you have severe liver problems
If you have a history of ectopic pregnancy
If you have a history of salpingitis
If you have not had your first period
If you have a disease of your small bowel (such as Crohn’s disease) that inhibits the absorption of the drug.

How to take Levonelle?

Always take Levonelle exactly as prescribed by your doctor or advised by the pharmacist.

Take a tablet as soon as possible, but preferably within 12 hours and no later than 72 hours (3 days) after sexual intercourse.
Take the tablet at any time in your cycle.
It can be taken before, during or after without food, if necessary with a small amount of water.
Levonelle should not be used as a regular form of birth control.

Side Effects

All medications can cause potential side effects, below we have listed some potential side effects of Levonelle. However, these do not always occur and are mostly mild in nature. But if you experience any prolonged or worrying side effects of Levonelle, please discontinue the medication immediately and consult your doctor.

Common side effects include:

Nausea
Painful periods
Abdominal pain
Changes to your next period
Headache
Tiredness

Warnings and Precautions

Levonelle may not be safe if taken with certain other medications or recreational drugs. Please inform the prescriber if you are taking any of the listed medications:

Do not use Levonelle:

barbiturates and other medicines used to treat epilepsy (for example primidone, phenytoin, and carbamazepine)
medicines used to treat tuberculosis (for example, rifampicin, rifabutin)
HIV treatment (ritonavir, efavirenz)
a medicine used to treat fungal infections (griseofulvin)
herbal remedies containing St John’s wort

The above-listed warnings are not exhaustive, please consult a doctor, pharmacist, or nurse if you have further questions on the use of this medication or potential interactions with other medicines.

Levonelle Patient Leaflet

To view Levonelle Patient Leaflet click here.

To view PDF patient leaflet click here.

Additional Information

Levonelle contains the active ingredient levonorgestrel, which is a synthetic version of the natural hormone progesterone. Levonelle works by delaying or preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary), and by thickening the mucus in the cervix, making it more difficult for sperm to penetrate and fertilize an egg.

Levonelle can be taken up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex, but it is most effective if taken within 12 hours. The earlier it is taken, the more effective it will be. If taken within 24 hours, Levonelle is about 95% effective in preventing pregnancy. This means that for every 100 women who take Levonelle, 5 will become pregnant. If taken within 48 hours, Levonelle is about 85% effective. And if taken within 72 hours (49-72 hours), Levonelle is about 58% effective.

Levonelle is available without a prescription from pharmacies and can be taken by women of all ages. It is not recommended for use in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Side effects of Levonelle may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tiredness, headache, and dizziness. If you experience any of these side effects, contact your healthcare provider.

If you have had unprotected sex and are concerned about becoming pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about Levonelle or other emergency contraception options.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog post is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Welzo does not endorse or sell the medication discussed, nor do we recommend using this information as a substitute for professional healthcare. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions regarding your health or medical treatment. Welzo assumes no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided in this blog.