Levonorgestrel Tablets - Emergency Contraception

Levonorgestrel is a progestogen hormone contraceptive pill that can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. The hormonal contraceptive comes as a single dose. The medication should be taken immediately after unprotected sex to maximise effectiveness. Levonorgestrel has a 95% chance of preventing any unplanned pregnancy if taken according to the leaflet instructions. The active ingredient, 1.5mg of Levonorgestrel, works by blocking the release of eggs from the ovaries. The substance inhibits the fertilisation of released eggs and their attachment to the womb lining. For women to become pregnant, the eggs require to be removed and get fertilised by sperm. Levonorgestrel blocks the process, preventing one from conceiving.

Do not take Levonogestrel if you suffer from any of these conditions:

• - If you have ever had an ectopic pregnancy.
• - If you have ever had inflammation of the Fallopian tubes.
• - If you have bowel disease that interferes with food digestion.
• - When suffering from severe liver problems.

How to Take Levonelle:

• - Levonorgestrel should be taken orally as soon as possible after unprotected sex; the sooner it is taken, the more effective it is.
• - It is only effective up to 72 hours after sex. If it has been longer than this, you should not take Levonorgestrel; you should instead see a healthcare professional to discuss emergency contraception.
• - If you are sick or suffer from diarrhoea within 2 hours of taking Levonorgestrel, it may not have been absorbed and will not be effective. Take another dose as soon as possible.

Each Levonorgestrel tablet contains the active ingredient: 1.5mg of Levonorgestrel. It also contains inactive ingredients: potato starch, maize starch, and colloidal silica anhydrous, magnesium stearate (E572), and talc (E533b), lactose monohydrate.

If you do experience side effects from Levonorgestrel, the most common can include:

• - Spotting
• - Breast tenderness
• - Abdominal pains
• - Nausea or sickness
• - Diarrhoea
• - Dizziness
• - Headaches