Levonelle
(
levonorgestrel) is more commonly know as the "morning
after pill," which is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected
intercourse.
The medication prevents conception in three ways:
- If an egg has not yet been released from the ovaries, it will
prevent release.
- If an egg has already been released, it will inhibit
fertilization by sperm.
- If fertilization has already occurred, it will prevent the
fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus.
This treatment is for emergency use and should not be used in place
of more conventional methods of birth control. If used properly it
will prevent conception from occurring, but it will not terminate
an existing pregnancy.
How To Use Levonelle:
Levonelle is effective for up to three days, or 72 hours, after
intercourse. Ideally it is taken within 12 hours of sexual
activity; after the 12 hour mark it will prevent conception in
about 84% of women.
It is safe to use with other forms of birth control, including
spermicides, birth control pills, or contraceptive implants.
Continue using regular birth control methods as normal. It should
not be used as a replacement birth control therapy; regular use of
Levonelle may upset menstrual cycles.
Levonelle is administered by tablet. Some women vomit after taking
a tablet. If this happens within three hours of administration,
another dose should be taken.
This product should only be taken after intercourse. Its
effectiveness is diminished if taken prior to sexual activity.
Levonelle is not 100% effective. Women should follow up with a
pregnancy test a few weeks after use, especially if experiencing an
unusually light period, or a period is skipped altogether.
Before Taking Levonelle:
Levonelle is a remarkably safe medication. A few women will
experience mild side effects:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Mild stomachache
- Mild fatigue
- Breast tenderness
- Spotting
- Early or late period
- Unusually heavy or light period
Any disruption of the menstrual cycle, including spotting, should
clear up after the next period. Excessive use or overdose of
Levonelle may result in longer term disruption.
Though it should not be used while pregnant, this product is not
believed to be harmful to fetuses or breast feeding infants.
A rash, hives, or swelling of the face and throat indicates an
allergic reaction to one or more of the ingredients and should
brought to the attention of a physician.
Though unlikely to produce severe side effects, certain other
medications are known to interfere with this treatment's
effectiveness. Discuss alternative options with a pharmacist or
physician if taking:
- Medications used to treat epilepsy
- Ritonavir, used to treat HIV
- Products containing St John's wort
- Griseofulvin, used to treat fungal infections
- Medications used to treat tuberculosis
- Ciclosporin, an immunosuppressant
Always check that the product is not expired before use -- expired
Levonelle will not be effective!
Ingredients:
Active ingredient:
levonorgestrel
Inactive ingredients:
lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate,
colloidal silica anhydrous, potato and maize starch, talc
Controversy:
In some areas use of and easy access to "morning after pills" is
highly controversial. It may not be legal in all locations; clients
are responsible for abiding by local laws.
In many cases opposition to Levonelle and similar products stems
from ignorance of how this treatment actually works. It is
not an abortifacient; to the contrary, it is not even
harmful to unborn babies once conception has taken place. It is
simply another means of preventing conception from taking place,
like a condom or spermicide.
Unprotected intercourse does not always result from carelessness or
a lapse of judgement. Condoms can break, a birth control dose can
be forgotten, or the intercourse may not have been consensual. No
form of birth control is 100% foolproof.
Levonelle offers women a convenient, inexpensive, and non-invasive
opportunity to maintain reproductive control of their own
bodies.