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Levonorgestrel

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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.

Uses of Levonorgestrel

What is it prescribed for?

  • Emergency contraception

    This medicine is used for the prevention of unwanted pregnancies. The oral tablet has to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex.

  • Long term contraception

    This medicine is also used in the form of vaginal insert or slow release oral tablets for long term prevention of pregnancies.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Levonorgestrel

  • Difficulty in breathingsevererare
  • Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet severerare
  • Severe abdominal painsevere
  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Spotting or bleeding between periods
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Unusual tiredness and weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Breast pain and tenderness
  • Change in libido
  • Diarrhearare
  • Blood clot formationsevererare
  • Strokesevererare
SEVERE
Contact your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms are experienced on a regular basis.
RARE
Observed in a small fraction of population.
This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. Please inform your doctor if you experience any adverse reaction to the medication.

Highlights

Commonly asked questions for Levonorgestrel

Onset of action

This medicine is rapidly and almost completely absorbed after oral administration and reaches the peak levels within 1.5-2.5 hours.

Duration of effect

This medicine remains active in the system for up to 7 days.

Safe with alcohol?

minor
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.

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When not to use?

Contraindications of Levonorgestrel

  • 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.

Dosage

  • 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.

Interactions

All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.

Interaction with Alcoholminor

  • 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

Disease interactions

  • Liver tumor

    severe
    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

    severe
    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

    severe
    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

    moderate
    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

    moderate
    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

    moderate
    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.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.

General Instructions

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

Warnings

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.

Other details

  • Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor
  • To be taken as instructed by doctor
  • Does not cause sleepiness

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

Approved
Approved
Approved
Approved

Classification

Category
Contraceptives, Progestins
Schedule
Schedule H

References

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Information on this page was last updated on 8 Feb 2018

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Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.