Levonelle One Step

Key Features:

– Emergency Contraception: Intended to prevent unplanned pregnancy following unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure.

– Timeframe for Use: Effective within 72 hours post-intercourse, with higher effectiveness the sooner it is taken.

Levonelle 1500 is not a regular method of contraception and should only be used in emergency situations.

 

What is Levonelle 1500?

Levonelle 1500 is an oral contraceptive pill containing levonorgestrel, a synthetic hormone. It works primarily by preventing ovulation and also by preventing sperm from fertilising any egg that may have already been released.

 

Summary of Levonelle 1500:

– Indicated For: Emergency contraception in women.

– Drug Class: Synthetic hormone.

– Active Ingredient: Levonorgestrel.

   – Strengths Available: Single-dose 1500 microgram tablet.

– Administration: Oral, single dose.

– Potential Side Effects: Nausea, lower abdominal pain, tiredness, headache, menstrual changes.

 

How Levonelle 1500 Works:

Levonelle 1500 operates as an emergency contraceptive primarily through two mechanisms to prevent pregnancy:

 

1. Inhibiting Ovulation: The main function of Levonelle 1500 is to prevent or delay the release of an egg from the ovaries. This action is crucial because if no egg is released, there is nothing available for sperm to fertilise, thereby preventing pregnancy. The active component in Levonelle 1500, levonorgestrel, is a synthetic hormone that influences the body’s natural hormonal cycle, particularly impacting the ovulation process.
2. Preventing Fertilisation: In instances where ovulation has already occurred, Levonelle 1500 may work by stopping the fertilisation of any egg that has been released. This is achieved by altering the environment within the uterus and fallopian tubes, making it more challenging for sperm to reach an egg. It might also affect the consistency of the cervical mucus, creating a barrier that impedes sperm movement.

 

It is important to understand that Levonelle 1500 is not effective if the process of implantation has already started, meaning it cannot terminate an existing pregnancy. Its effectiveness depends on how quickly it is taken after unprotected intercourse. The pill is most effective when taken as soon as possible, ideally within 12 hours, and its efficacy decreases as it approaches the 72-hour limit.

Levonelle 1500 is a single-dose emergency contraceptive, intended only for emergency situations. It is not designed as a regular method of contraception and should not be used as such. After taking Levonelle 1500, it is advisable to resume or start regular contraceptive methods to continue preventing unwanted pregnancy.

 

Patient Information Leaflet:

For comprehensive information on usage, side effects, contraindications, and precautions, consult the patient information leaflet accompanying Levonelle 1500.

 

How To Use Levonelle 1500?

Take the tablet as soon as possible, preferably within 12 hours, and no later than 72 hours after unprotected sex. Swallow the tablet whole with water. If you vomit within three hours of taking the tablet, take another one immediately. Continue or start a regular method of contraception after taking Levonelle 1500, and use condoms until your next period.

 

Safety and Precautions:

Before taking Levonelle 1500 as emergency contraception, it’s important to consult your doctor or pharmacist, especially if any of the following conditions apply to you. In some cases, your they might recommend a different type of emergency contraception.

– Pregnancy: Do not use Levonelle 1500 if you are pregnant or suspect you might be pregnant. This medication will not be effective if you are already pregnant and cannot terminate an existing pregnancy. Levonelle 1500 is not an “abortion pill.”

– You might already be pregnant if your period is over 5 days late, or you have experienced unusual bleeding when your next period is due.

– If you have had unprotected sex more than 72 hours ago and since your last period, you may be pregnant.

 

– Medical Conditions: The use of Levonelle 1500 is not advised if you:

– Have a small bowel disease (such as Crohn’s disease) that affects the absorption of the drug.

– Suffer from severe liver problems.

– Have a history of ectopic pregnancy (where the baby develops outside the womb).

– Have a history of salpingitis (inflammation of the Fallopian tubes).

– Note: A previous ectopic pregnancy or fallopian tube infection increases the risk of a new ectopic pregnancy.

 

– Effectiveness and Body Weight: There is some evidence suggesting that Levonelle 1500 may be less effective with increasing body weight or body mass index (BMI). However, these data are limited and inconclusive. Therefore, Levonelle 1500 is still recommended for all women, regardless of their weight or BMI.

 

– Children and Adolescents: Levonelle 1500 is not suitable for use before the first menstrual bleeding (menarche).

 

– Sexually Transmitted Diseases: If you did not use a condom, or it was damaged during intercourse, there is a risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease or the HIV virus. Levonelle 1500 does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases; only condoms can provide this protection. Seek advice from your doctor, nurse, family planning clinic, or pharmacist if you are concerned about this.

 

– Interactions with Other Medicines: Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines. Some medicines can prevent Levonelle 1500 from working effectively. If you have used any of the following medicines in the last 4 weeks, Levonelle 1500 may be less suitable for you:

– Barbiturates and other medicines used to treat epilepsy (e.g., primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine).

– Medicines used to treat tuberculosis (e.g., rifampicin, rifabutin).

– HIV treatments (e.g., ritonavir, efavirenz).

– Medicines for fungal infections (e.g., griseofulvin).

– Herbal remedies containing St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum).

– In such cases, your doctor may prescribe a non-hormonal emergency contraceptive, like a copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD). If this is not an option, or you cannot see your doctor promptly, you may take a double dose of Levonelle 1500.

 

– Impact on Other Medicines: Levonelle 1500 may also affect how well other medicines work, such as cyclosporin (which suppresses the immune system).

 

After taking Levonelle 1500, consult a doctor as soon as possible for further advice on a reliable form of regular contraception and to exclude a pregnancy.

 

Common Side Effects:

Like all medicines, Levonelle 1500 can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. The following are some of the known side effects:

 

Very Common Side Effects (affecting more than 1 in 10 people):

– Nausea or feeling sick.

– Irregular bleeding until your next period.

– Lower abdominal pain.

– Tiredness.

– Headaches.

 

Common Side Effects (affecting up to 1 in 10 people):

– Vomiting. If you vomit, please refer to the section in the leaflet titled ‘What to do if you are sick (vomit)’.

– Changes in your menstrual cycle. Your period might occur later or earlier than expected, and you may experience irregular bleeding or spotting until your next period. If your period is over 5 days late, or if it is unusually light or heavy, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

– Tender breasts, diarrhoea, and dizziness after taking the medicine.

 

Very Rare Side Effects (affecting up to 1 in 10,000 people):

– Skin reactions such as rash, urticaria (hives), and pruritus (itching).

– Swelling of the face, pelvic pain, and painful periods.

 

If you experience any side effects, it’s important to talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. This includes any potential side effects not listed in the leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard, or by searching for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. Reporting side effects is crucial as it helps provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

For comprehensive information on usage, side effects, contraindications, and precautions, consult the patient information leaflet accompanying Levonelle 1500.

 

When Not To Use Levonelle 1500?

 

– During Pregnancy: Not to be used if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy.

– Allergy: Avoid if allergic to levonorgestrel or any other components of the pill.

– Repeated Use: Not recommended for repeated use within the same menstrual cycle.