What is Levonelle?
Levonelle is an emergency contraceptive that can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. The hormonal contraceptive comes as a single dose. It contains progesterone produced by the ovaries. The pill should be taken immediately after unprotected sex to maximize effectiveness. Levonelle has a 95% chance of preventing any unplanned pregnancy if taken according to the leaflet instructions.
How does Levonelle Work?
Levonelle works by blocking ovulation during menstruation. The drug thickens the vaginal fluid and prevents the sperm from reaching the egg for fertilisation to occur. By so doing, the embryo fails to attach to the uterine wall, so there is no pregnancy. Levonelle does not stop an existing pregnancy. It only works as an emergency way to prevent unplanned conception.
Directions
Consult with a healthcare professional and read the instructions before taking:
- Levonelle is an oral drug that should be swallowed as a single dose.
- Take Levonelle immediately after unprotected sex, since it is more effective when used within 72 hours (3 days).
- You can take the medication with or without food.
- If you vomit within 2 hours of taking this medication, the pill may not be absorbed. Consult your doctor to ask if you need to repeat the dose to avoid getting pregnant.
Ingredients
Each tablet of Levonelle emergency pill contains 1500 micrograms of levonorgestrel as the active substance.
The other ingredients are potato starch, maize starch, colloidal silica anhydrous, magnesium stearate, talc, and lactose monohydrate.
Warnings
Do not take Levonelle if you suffer from any of these conditions:
- If you have ever had an ectopic pregnancy.
- If you have ever had inflammation of the Fallopian tubes.
- If you have bowel disease that interferes with food digestion.
- When suffering from severe liver problems.
