Levonelle 1500 mcg Morning After Pill - 1 Tablet

Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or if the contraception you have used has failed

There are 2 types of emergency contraception:

the emergency contraceptive pill – Levonelle or ellaOne (the "morning after" pill) the intrauterine device (IUD or coil) Emergency contraception You need to take the emergency contraceptive pill within 3 days (Levonelle) or 5 days (ellaOne) of unprotected sex for it to be effective – the sooner you take it, the more effective it'll be. The IUD can be fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex, or up to 5 days after the earliest time you could have ovulated, for it to be effective. The IUD is more effective than the contraceptive pill at preventing pregnancy – less than 1% of women who use the IUD get pregnant. Taking the emergency contraceptive pills Levonelle or ellaOne can give you a headache or tummy pain and make you feel or be sick. The emergency contraceptive pill can make your next period earlier, later or more painful than usual. If you're sick (vomit) within 2 hours of taking Levonelle or 3 hours of taking ellaOne, go to your GP, pharmacist or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic, as you'll need to take another dose or have an IUD fitted. If you use the IUD as emergency contraception, it can be left in and used as your regular contraceptive method. Emergency contraception doesn't cause an abortion.

How the emergency pill works

Levonelle Levonelle contains levonorgestrel, a synthetic (man-made) version of the natural hormone progesterone produced by the ovaries. Taking it, is thought to stop or delay the release of an egg (ovulation). Levonelle has to be taken within 72 hours (3 days) of sex to prevent pregnancy. It doesn't interfere with your regular method of contraception. ellaOne ellaOne contains ulipristal acetate, which stops progesterone working normally. This also works by stopping or delaying the release of an egg. ellaOne has to be taken within 120 hours (5 days) of sex to prevent pregnancy. If you take Levonelle or ellaOne Levonelle and ellaOne don't continue to protect you against pregnancy – if you have unprotected sex at any time after taking the emergency pill, you can become pregnant. They are not intended to be used as a regular form of contraception. But you can use emergency contraception more than once in a menstrual cycle if you need to. Who can use the emergency pill? Most women can use the emergency contraceptive pill. This includes women who can't use hormonal contraception, such as the combined pill and contraceptive patch. But you may not be able to take the emergency contraceptive pill if you're allergic to anything in it, have severe asthma or take any medicines that may interact with it, such as: the herbal medicine St John's Wort some medicines used to treat epilepsy, HIV or tuberculosis (TB) medicine to make your stomach less acidic, such as omeprazole some less commonly used antibiotics (rifampicin and rifabutin) ellaOne can't be used if you're already taking one of these medicines, as it may not work. Levonelle may still be used, but the dose may need to be increased. Breastfeeding Levonelle is safe to take while breastfeeding. Although small amounts of the hormones in the pill may pass into your breast milk, it's not thought to be harmful to your baby. The safety of ellaOne during breastfeeding isn't yet known. The manufacturer recommends that you don't breastfeed for one week after taking this pill.

How the IUD works as emergency contraception

The intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, T-shaped plastic and copper device that's put into your womb (uterus) by a doctor or nurse. It releases copper to stop the egg implanting in your womb or being fertilised. The IUD can be inserted up to 5 days after unprotected sex, or up to 5 days after the earliest time you could have ovulated (released an egg), to prevent pregnancy. You can also choose to have the IUD left in as an ongoing method of contraception. How effective is the IUD at preventing pregnancy? The emergency IUD is the most effective method of emergency contraception – less than 1% of women who use the IUD get pregnant. It's more effective than the emergency pill at preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex. Who can use the IUD? Most women can use an IUD, including those who are HIV positive. A GP or nurse will ask about your medical history to check if an IUD is suitable for you.

Contraception for the future

If you're not using a regular method of contraception, you might consider doing so to protect yourself from an unintended pregnancy. See a GP, nurse or visit your nearest sexual health clinic to discuss the options available. Types of contraception

Side Effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people): Feeling sick (nausea) You might have some irregular bleeding until your next period You might have lower abdominal pain Tiredness Headache Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): Being sick (vomiting). If you are sick, read the section ‘What to do if you are sick (vomit) ’. Your period might be different. Most women will have a normal period at the expected time, but some may have their period later or earlier than normal. You might also have some irregular bleeding or spotting until your next period. 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. You might have tender breasts, diarrhoea, feel dizzy after taking this medicine. Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people): Abdominal pain, rash, urticaria, pruritus, swelling of the face, pelvic pain, painful period.

Further Information

Further information can be found on the manufacturers Paitient Information Leaflet and printed if required.