About levonorge strel
Progestin emergency contraceptive
Used for
- Emergency contraception after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure
Usual adult dose
Take 1.5 mg as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours; a second 0.75 mg dose may be used 12 hours later.
Common side effects
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache or dizziness
- Lower abdominal pain
- Changes to menstrual timing or bleeding
Important warnings
- Less effective than some alternatives, especially after 72 hours.
- Does not end an established pregnancy or protect against sexually transmitted infections.
- Vomiting soon after a dose may mean it needs repeating.
- Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain or unusually heavy bleeding.
Pregnancy
Not effective if already pregnant; available evidence does not suggest harm to an established pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
Generally compatible; levonorgestrel enters breast milk in small amounts.
Interactions
- Some seizure medicines, rifampicin, and St John’s wort may reduce effectiveness.
- Use with medicines that induce liver enzymes may require a copper IUD instead.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.