What is Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive?
The emergency contraceptive levonorgestrel is used to prevent pregnancy following unprotected sexual activity or when other forms of birth control have failed (such as condoms breaking or two or more birth control pills being missing).Levonorgestrel is also used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat.If you experience severe pain on your side or lower stomach, call your doctor immediately or go to an emergency room. This could indicate a tubal (a pregnancy that implants in the tube of the fallopian tubes instead of in the uterus) pregnancy. A tubal pregnancy can be a medical emergency.
Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive side effects may include:
- Stomach pain;
- Breast pain or tenderness
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea;
- Headache, dizziness;
- Feeling tired
- Changes in your menstrual cycle
There may be other side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report adverse effects, you can contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
The levonorgestrel contraceptive emergency will not stop pregnancy if the fertilised ovary has already attached itself to the uterus.Before taking levonorgestrel, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are regularly using medication to treat seizures, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, or other conditions. Other medicines may make levonorgestrel ineffective.
Before you take this drug
Levonorgestrel is not meant to be used as a regular form of birth control. Speak to your doctor about birth control options.This medicine should not be used if you have already become pregnant. Levonorgestrel is not effective for terminating a pregnancy that has already started.No one under the age of 17 is allowed to use this product.If you have an allergy to levonorgestrel, then it is best not to use this drug.Before taking levonorgestrel, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are regularly using medication to treat seizures, tuberculosis, or HIV/AIDS. Levonorgestrel can be less effective when used as an emergency contraceptive if you are taking certain medications.Levonorgestrel can slow down breast milk production. Inform your doctor if breastfeeding is a concern.
How to take Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive?
You can follow the directions on the package or the prescription of your doctor.Levonorgestrel is an emergency contraceptive that must be used as soon as possible (no more than 72 hours) after a sexual encounter without protection.If you vomit after 2 hours of taking the emergency contraceptive levonorgestrel, call your doctor immediately. Do not take a second dosage without consulting your doctor first.If your period is a full week or more late, you may be expecting.. If you think you're pregnant, take a pregnancy test. Contact your doctor. Levonorgestrel is not effective in terminating pregnancy when the fertilised ovary has already attached to the uterus.A doctor should confirm within 3 weeks of taking levonorgestrel as an emergency contraceptive that you are not pregnant and that the medicine hasn't caused any adverse effects.Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Levonorgestrel is an emergency contraceptive that comes in a single dose. It does not come with a schedule for daily doses.
What happens if I overdose?
Levonorgestrel emergency concetative is available as a single tablet of a specific strength. This makes it unlikely that an overdose will occur if the medication is taken as prescribed. Take no more than one tablet simultaneously.
What should be avoided?
Levonorgestrel is not an emergency contraceptive and will not protect against sexually transmissible diseases, including HIV or AIDS. The only way to prevent these diseases is by using a condom. Avoid unprotected sexual activity.
Interaction with other drug
Some medications may make levonorgestrel less effective. This can lead to pregnancy.
- Efavirenz;
- Rifampin
- Seizure medication: carbamazepine, felbamate, fosphenytoin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and primidone.
This list is incomplete. Levonorgestrel may be affected by other drugs, such as vitamins and herbs. This list does not include all possible interactions with other drugs.
