What is Take action?
Take Action can be used to avoid pregnancy after unprotected sexual activity or in the absence of other forms of birth control (such as condom breakage or the absence of two or more birth pills for control).
Take Action can also be used to treat conditions not covered by this guideline.
Side effects of Take Action
Contact a medical professional immediately. Get medical attention immediately if you notice symptoms that indicate an allergic reaction, like hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of your lips, face, or tongue. Consult your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you experience intense discomfort in your stomach or on your side. This could be the sign of a tubal pregnancy (a pregnancy that has an implant inside the fallopian tubes rather than your uterus). Tubal pregnancy is an emergency medical situation.
Common adverse consequences associated with taking action may include:
- Stomach pain;
- Tenderness or pain in the breast;
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea;
- Headache, dizziness;
- Getting fatigued, getting tired
- Changes in your menstrual cycle.
This is not a comprehensive list of possible side effects, and others could happen. Contact your doctor to seek medical advice on adverse effects. You can report adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Take Action does not end pregnancy if a fertilised egg has already been attached to the uterus. Consult a physician or pharmacist prior to taking levonorgestrel in the event that you frequently take medications for seizures, tuberculosis, or HIV/AIDS. Certain other medicines can make levonorgestrel less efficient.
Before taking this medication
Take Action is not designed to be used as a routine method of birth control. Discuss with your physician the various methods of birth control available. Do not take this medication if you are already pregnant. Take Action cannot stop a pregnancy that is already in progress (the fertilised embryo has been inserted into your uterus). Not suitable for use by anyone less than 17 years of age. Levonorgestrel should not be used when you are allergic to it. Consult a physician or pharmacist prior to taking levonorgestrel if you routinely use medications to treat seizures, tuberculosis, or HIV/AIDS. Certain medications may make levonorgestrel less effective as an emergency contraceptive option. Levonorgestrel can reduce the production of breast milk. Inform your doctor if you are nursing.
What steps should I take to take action?
Follow the directions on the label or as recommended by your doctor. It is imperative to take action immediately following unprotected sexual contact (no longer than 72 hours following the event). Contact your doctor immediately in the event that you vomit within two hours of taking action. Avoid taking another dose without first consulting your physician.
If your cycle is delayed by a week or more beyond the time you expect, it could be that you are pregnant. Take a pregnancy test and consult your physician to confirm if you're expecting. Making sure you take action does not mean that you have to terminate your pregnancy if the fertilised egg has bonded with the uterus. Within 3 weeks of the time you took action, a physician should verify that you're not expecting any adverse effects and confirm that the medicine hasn't resulted in any adverse effects. Place it in a cool, dry place free of heat and moisture.
What happens If I miss a dose?
Because Take Action is used as one dose, it doesn't come with a daily dosage schedule.
What happens if I overdose?
Since Take Action is supplied as one tablet at the exact dose, the risk of overdose is less likely to occur if the levonorgestrel dose is taken as directed. Take only one tablet at a time.
What should be avoided?
The Take Action programme will not shield you against sexually transmitted illnesses, including HIV and AIDS. The use of a condom is your only way to shield yourself from the aforementioned diseases. Do not engage in sexual activities that aren't protected.
Interaction with other drugs
Certain medications can cause Take Action less effective, that could result in the birth of a baby. Ask a doctor or pharmacist whether Take Action is safe to take if you're taking any of the following drugs:
- efavirenz;
- rifampin; or
- seizure medication--carbamazepine, felbamate, fosphenytoin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone.
This list isn't complete. Other medications can affect levonorgestrel, such as prescription and over-the counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies. There are many possible interactions between drugs. are listed here.
