Levonorgestrel Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Levonorgestrel Tablet is an emergency contraceptive pill, often called the morning-after pill, containing the progestin hormone Levonorgestrel. It is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or birth control failure and is not meant to be used as a regular birth control method. It works best the sooner it is taken after unprotected intercourse, and in many places it is available without a prescription.

What is Levonorgestrel Tablet

Levonorgestrel is an emergency contraceptive pill, often called the morning-after pill. It is a man-made hormone similar to progesterone and is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or birth control failure. It is not meant to be used as a regular birth control method.

Levonorgestrel Tablet uses

• Emergency contraception after unprotected sex or birth control failure (such as condom breakage, slippage, or misuse)
• Backup contraception when no birth control was used
• Backup contraception after diaphragm or cap dislodgment, breakage, or early removal
• Backup contraception after a missed birth control pill or delay in starting a new pack
• Backup contraception after a delay in getting a scheduled contraceptive injection
• Backup contraception after sexual assault

Benefits of Levonorgestrel Tablet

• Can significantly lower the chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex when taken in time
• Works better the sooner it is taken after unprotected intercourse
• Available without a prescription in many places for quick access when needed

How Levonorgestrel Tablet works

Levonorgestrel works mainly by stopping or delaying the ovary from releasing an egg, so sperm cannot fertilize it. It does not end an existing pregnancy.

Levonorgestrel Tablet dosage

Swallow the tablet whole with water; do not chew or crush it. Take the dose as soon as possible after unprotected sex, ideally within a few hours and no later than 72 hours (3 days) afterward — the sooner it is taken, the better it works. It can be taken with or without food, and at any time during the menstrual cycle.

If you vomit within a couple of hours of taking the dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist, since you may need to take another dose. This medicine is not intended for use before a girl's first period. After taking this medicine, use a barrier method like condoms until your next period, since it will not protect against pregnancy from later acts of unprotected sex. If you are already using a regular hormonal birth control method, continue taking it as scheduled. If you are breastfeeding, taking the tablet right after a feeding and waiting about 8 hours before nursing again may reduce the amount that passes to your baby through breast milk.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Levonorgestrel Tablet

Common

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach or lower abdominal discomfort
• Tiredness/fatigue
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Breast tenderness
• Diarrhea
• Changes in vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods
• Period coming earlier or later than expected

Serious

• Severe lower abdominal or stomach pain, especially 3 to 5 weeks after taking the medicine
• Heavy or prolonged vaginal bleeding
• Severe headaches or vision changes
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Severe mood swings or thoughts of self-harm
• Persistent nausea or vomiting
• Allergic reaction signs like rash, itching, swelling of the face, or difficulty breathing
• Missed period with concern about pregnancy

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take this medicine if you are already pregnant, because it will not work and cannot end an existing pregnancy. If you think you might already be pregnant, talk to your doctor before taking it.
• The active ingredient passes into breast milk. To reduce the amount your baby gets, you can take the tablet right after breastfeeding and avoid nursing for about 8 hours afterward, pumping and discarding milk during that time.
• This medicine is not advised if you have severe liver problems, since the effects on the liver disease are not well known.
• This medicine is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or use machines, but if you feel tired or dizzy after taking it, avoid driving or operating machinery.
• This medicine does not protect against HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes.
• This medicine is not meant for regular birth control use and does not work as well as most other contraceptive methods used correctly.
• If you take certain medicines like efavirenz, rifampin, or seizure medications, this pill may not work as well, raising your risk of pregnancy.
• There is limited evidence that this medicine may be less effective in women with higher body weight or BMI, though it is still recommended for all women regardless of weight.
• Using this medicine more than once in the same menstrual cycle makes it less reliable and more likely to disrupt your period.

Storage

• Keep this medicine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children.
• Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
• Dispose of unneeded medication in a way that prevents children, pets, and others from taking it; do not flush it down the toilet.
• Use a medicine take-back program if available in your community.

When to see a doctor

• Get medical attention right away if you have severe lower abdominal or stomach pain, especially 3 to 5 weeks after taking this medicine, as it could signal an ectopic pregnancy.
• Contact your doctor and get a pregnancy test if your period is delayed more than a week beyond when it was expected.
• Seek immediate medical help if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
• Contact a doctor or pharmacist if you vomit within 2 hours of taking the tablet, since you may need another dose.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact a healthcare professional or a poison control center right away, even without symptoms.

Alternatives

• Ulipristal Acetate
• Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills
• Copper IUD