Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive Uses, Side Effects & Warnings - Drugs.com

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# Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive

Generic name: levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive [ LEE-voe-nor-jes-trel ]
Brand names: AfterPill, BionaFem, EContra EZ, Fallback Solo, Morning After, ... show all 12 brands My Choice, My Way, New Day, Opcicon One-Step, Plan B One-Step, React, Take Action
Dosage form: oral tablet (1.5 mg)
Drug classes: Contraceptives, Progestins

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Sep 27, 2021. Written by Cerner Multum.

## What is levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive?

Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or failure of other forms of birth control (such as condom breakage, or missing 2 or more birth control pills).

Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

## Warnings

levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive will not terminate pregnancy if the fertilized egg has already attached to the uterus.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking levonorgestrel if you regularly use medication for seizures, tuberculosis, or HIV/AIDS. Certain other medicines can make levonorgestrel less effective.

## Before taking this medicine

Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive is not intended for use as a routine form of birth control. Talk with your doctor about the many forms of birth control available.

Do not use this medicine if you are already pregnant. Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive will not terminate a pregnancy that has already begun (the fertilized egg has attached to the uterus).

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 17 years old.

You should not use levonorgestrel if you are allergic to it.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking levonorgestrel if you regularly use medication for seizures, tuberculosis, or HIV/AIDS. Certain medications can make levonorgestrel less effective as an emergency form of contraception.

Levonorgestrel may slow breast milk production. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

## How should I take levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive must be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex (no later than 72 hours afterward).

Call your doctor right away if you vomit within 2 hours after taking levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive. Do not take a second dose without first asking your doctor.

If your period is late by 1 week or longer after the expected date, you may be pregnant. Get a pregnancy test and contact your doctor if you are pregnant. Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive will not terminate pregnancy if the fertilized egg has attached to the uterus.

Within 3 weeks after taking levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive, a doctor should confirm that you are not pregnant, and that this medicine has not caused any harmful effects.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Detailed Levonorgestrel dosage information

## What happens if I miss a dose?

Since levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive is used as a single dose, it does not have a daily dosing schedule.

## What happens if I overdose?

Because levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive is supplied as a single tablet in an exact strength, an overdose is unlikely to occur when the levonorgestrel is used as directed. Do not take more than one tablet at the same time.

## What should I avoid while taking levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive?

Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases--including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases. Avoid having unprotected sex.

## Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor or seek emergency medical help if you have severe pain in your lower stomach or side. This could be a sign of a tubal pregnancy (a pregnancy that implants in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus). A tubal pregnancy is a medical emergency.

Common side effects of levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive may include:

- stomach pain;

- breast pain or tenderness;

- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

- headache, dizziness;

- feeling tired; or

- changes in your menstrual periods.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Levonorgestrel side effects (more detail)

## What other drugs will affect levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive?

Certain other medications can make levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive is safe to use if you are using any of the following medications:

- efavirenz;

- rifampin; or

- seizure medication--carbamazepine, felbamate, fosphenytoin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect levonorgestrel, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Levonorgestrel drug interactions (more detail)

## Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

## Frequently asked questions

- Mirena, Kyleena, Skyla & Liletta - What's the difference?

## More about levonorgestrel

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- Drug class: contraceptives

### Patient resources

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#### Other brands

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### Professional resources

- Prescribing Information

### Related treatment guides

- Emergency Contraception
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
- Birth Control

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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