Levonorgestrel
Also sold as: Postinor-2, Norlevo
Prescription neededFamily planning and hormones
Comes as:Tablet
Usual adult dose
Emergency contraception: 1.5 mg as one tablet (or two 0.75 mg tablets together) as soon as possible, within 72 hours after unprotected sex. It works best when taken early. It is not for regular contraception.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- nausea
- tiredness
- headache
- breast tenderness
- period coming earlier or later
- spotting
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- severe lower abdominal pain (possible pregnancy outside the womb)
- heavy bleeding
- severe allergic reaction
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Known pregnancy (it does not end a pregnancy and is not useful then)
- Severe liver disease
- If vomiting within 3 hours of the tablet, ask about taking another dose
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious3 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Carbamazepine
Carbamazepine makes levonorgestrel less effective; ask a doctor about a double dose or a copper IUD.
- Phenytoin
Phenytoin makes levonorgestrel less effective; ask a doctor about a double dose or a copper IUD.
- Rifampicin
Rifampicin makes emergency levonorgestrel less effective; a double dose or a copper IUD may be advised.