Levonorgestrel
Description
Levonorgestrel belongs to the category of progestins. It is used as an emergency contraceptive. This medicine helps in preventing pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of an unprotected intercourse or failure of the usual method of contraception.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Levonorgestrel
- Difficulty in breathing
- Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet
- Severe abdominal pain
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Spotting or bleeding between periods
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Unusual tiredness and weakness
- Dizziness
- Breast pain and tenderness
- Change in libido
- Diarrhea
- Blood clot formation
- Stroke
Uses of Levonorgestrel
What is it prescribed for?
- Emergency contraception
- Long term contraception
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThis medicine is rapidly and almost completely absorbed after oral administration and reaches the peak levels within 1.5-2.5 hours.
- Duration of effectThis medicine remains active in the system for up to 7 days.
- Safe with alcohol?Avoid or minimize the consumption of alcohol while taking this medicine.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy in near future. This medicine should be taken only after chances of being pregnant are ruled out.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine can be used by women who are breastfeeding if the potential benefits outweigh the risks involved with use. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known history of allergy to levonorgestrel or any other component present along with it.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
This medicine is not recommended for use if the patient has episodes of abnormal bleeding from the vagina.
Breast cancer
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have/had breast cancer.
Stroke
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have had a bleeding disorder of the brain or have suffered from stroke recently.
Blood clotting disorder
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a blood clotting disorder.
Porphyria
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have this rare genetic disorder of the blood and lymphatic system.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy in near future. This medicine should be taken only after chances of being pregnant are ruled out.
Breast-feeding
This medicine can be used by women who are breastfeeding if the potential benefits outweigh the risks involved with use. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Use of the medicine
This medicine is effective if taken at the earliest. It should be taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex or contraception failure. It should not be used as an emergency contraceptive and not as a routine birth control method.
Existing pregnancy
This medicine should not be used if you are already pregnant or planning a pregnancy in near future. Chances of a pre-existing pregnancy should be ruled out before taking this medicine.
Effect on menstrual cycle
Use of this medicine can impact the onset and duration of the menstrual period after use. It may also make the bleeding light or heavy. Any unusual effect of this medicine that lasts for more than 5 days should be reported to the doctor.
Sexually transmitted disease
This medicine will not provide any protection against diseases that transmits via sexual contact.
Use of contraception after uptake
Use of this medicine is followed by certain changes that increase the chances of getting pregnant. It is advised to practice safe sex or other means of contraception until the start of next periods.
Dizziness and tiredness
Use of this medicine can cause mild to moderate levels of dizziness and tiredness. Do not drive or operate any machinery after taking this medicine.
Weight gain
Use of this medicine can cause moderate to significant weight gain and hence should be used with caution if you are obese or are suffering from obesity related disorders.
Surgeries
This medicine should not be taken or use should be discontinued (for long-term contraception) four weeks before the surgical process is due.
Infections
Use of this medicine, especially for a prolonged duration, may increase the chances of getting an infection. Any instance of infection after use of this medicine should be reported to the doctor.
Liver/Kidney impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients having an impaired liver/kidney function. The use of this medicine should be discontinued if symptoms like jaundice, edema occur.
Ectopic pregnancies
Use of this medicine can cause fertilization of the egg outside the uterus (Ectopic pregnancy). Patients should be monitored for ectopic pregnancies if the intended use of this medicine is long-term.
Cancer
Use of this medicine may increase the chances of cancer of the breast and the ovaries. It should not be used if the patient has a history of cancer or currently has one.
Depression
Use of this medicine has been associated with an increase in the symptoms of depression and hence should be used with caution in patients who are currently suffering or have suffered in past from depression.
Diabetes
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from diabetes or are exposed to the risk factors. You are advised to have a more frequent monitoring of the blood sugar levels while taking this medicine.
Other diseases
Report the incidence of diseases like asthma, epilepsy, migraine, diseases of the heart and blood vessels etc to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Other medicines
This medicine is known to interact with many medicines that you might possibly be taking. Report the use of all medicines including herbs and supplements to the doctor.
Missed Dose
Contact your doctor immediately if you miss a scheduled dose of a multi-dose therapy with this medicine.
Overdose
Contact your doctor if an overdose with this is medicine is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Use of alcohol while taking oral contraceptives may cause an increase in the Central nervous system effects.
Instructions
Avoid or minimize the consumption of alcohol while taking this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine
Carbamazepine
Griseofulvin
Phenytoin
Tranexamic Acid
Bosentan
Amprenavir
Disease interactions
Liver tumor
This medicine should not be used in patients having a tumor in the liver. Consumption of this medicine may worsen the symptoms of the disease and hence use should be avoided.
Intracranial hypertension
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients having a current of past history of increased pressure around the brain. Patients suffering from frequent and unpredictable headaches, difficulties in vision should report the use of this medicine to the doctor.
Liver disease
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients having an impairment of the liver function due to a disease or any other contributing factor. Use of this medicine, especially long term, should be stopped if jaundice or associated symptoms are observed.
Fluid Retention and edema
The use of a high dose of this medicine for prolonged durations may cause fluid retention and associated complications in some patients. This medicine should be given with caution in patients with a history of edema.
Retinal thrombosis
Use of this medicine may cause the blockage of blood vessels in the eyes causing partial or complete loss of vision. This medicine should be used with caution in patients having a pre-existing condition of the eye. Any abnormality in vision while using this medicine should be reported to the doctor.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Thyroid function tests
Use of this medicine can potentially interfere with thyroid function test and give false values. Report the use of this medicine to the doctor before undergoing a thyroid function test.
Take Levonorgestrel as instructed by the doctor. For emergency contraception, this medicine should be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex or suspected contraception failure. For long term contraception and other purposes
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by preventing the fertilization of the egg with the sperm. It also induces changes in the hormonal levels contributing to the prevention of pregnancy.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Contraceptives, Progestins
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 24 April 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - Levonorgestrel tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 24 April 2017]. Available from:
Levonorgestrel: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 16 November 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 16 November 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 8 Feb 2018
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