Levonelle One Step 1500 mcg

Levonelle is a medication used to treat unwanted pregnancies due to unprotected sex.

Levonelle is an emergency contraception used to prevent unwanted pregnancy within 72 hours of unprotected sex (3 days). Levonelle can also be used when you have experienced a missed pill, or your normal contraception method has failed.

Please contact us for further guidance on the best treatment for you if you are unsure.

• Levonelle One Step is a form of emergency contraception that can be used up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex has occurred
• It can also be used if other contraceptive measures fail

Levonelle works by using a synthetic hormone called Levonorgestrel 1.5mg. It prevents around 84% of unwanted pregnancies if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Levonorgestrel works by preventing your ovaries from releasing an egg as well as also stopping the fertalisation of any eggs that have already been released.

Suitable for woman of childbearing age for emergency contraception only

Do not take Levonelle if:
• you are already pregnant
• you are allergic to any of the ingredients within Levonelle One Step
• you have a history of ectopic pregnancy
• you have ever had a disease called salpingitis (inflammation of the Fallopian tubes).
• you have a disease of your small bowel (such as Crohn’s disease) that reduces the absorption of the drug
• you have severe liver problems

If any of the following applies to you, talk to your doctor before taking Levonelle One Step as emergency contraception may not be suitable for you. Your doctor may prescribe another type of emergency contraception for you.
• If you are already pregnant, Levonelle One Step cannot terminate pregnancy, so Levonelle One Step is not an “abortion pill”.
You may already be pregnant if:
• Your period is more than 5 days late, or you have experienced unusual bleeding when your next period is due
• You have had unprotected sex more than 72 hours ago, and since your last period.

Read the patient information leaflet carefully before taking this medication. Levonelle One Step is one tablet that should be taken as soon as possible with water, idealy within 12 hours of unprotected sex, no later than 72 hours. Levonelle can be taken at any time in your cycle. Do not take this if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. Levonelle is not a regular form of contraception. If you take levonelle more than once a month it may reduce the efficacy of the treatment and may also change your period. If you throw up in the first 3 hours of taking this tablet, you will need to have another tablet as it will not have worked.

• This pill can only prevent pregnancy if you take it within 72 hours of unprotected sex
• It’s better to take this pill within 12 hours instead of postponing it until the third day, it’s more effective within that period
• Having unprotected sex after taking Levonelle will not prevent you from becoming pregnant, you should use a barrier method such as condoms
• This pill doesn’t work if you are already pregnant
• You should only use this pill in emergencies and not for regular birth control

• Nausea
• Lower abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Irregular bleeding
• Tender breasts

Note:
After the use of Levonelle One Step, your period is usually normal and will start at the usual day; however sometimes, this will be a few days later or earlier. If your period starts more than 5 days later than expected, an ‘abnormal’ bleeding occurs at that time or if you think that you might be pregnant, you should check whether you are pregnant by a pregnancy test.