About levonorgestrel micronized
Progestin emergency contraceptive
Used for
- Emergency contraception after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure
Usual adult dose
Take 1.5 mg by mouth as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours; some guidelines allow use up to 120 hours, with reduced effectiveness.
Usual dose in children
Same dose for adolescents after puberty; not routinely used before puberty.
Common side effects
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache or dizziness
- Abdominal pain
- Temporary changes in menstrual bleeding
Important warnings
- Does not end an established pregnancy or protect against sexually transmitted infections.
- Less effective with higher body weight and some enzyme-inducing medicines.
- If vomiting occurs within 3 hours, another dose may be needed.
- Seek assessment if the next period is over seven days late or unusually painful.
Pregnancy
Not effective once pregnancy is established; available evidence does not indicate harm from accidental use during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
Generally compatible; levonorgestrel passes into breast milk in small amounts.
Interactions
- Enzyme-inducing medicines may reduce effectiveness, including rifampicin, some antiseizure medicines, and St John’s wort.
- Some HIV medicines may reduce effectiveness.
- Starting or restarting hormonal contraception immediately is generally permitted; use condoms for seven days.
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 It may be incomplete or out of date.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.