Levonorgestrel

Drug Status in USA : Approved
Drug Status in Canada : Approved

pronunciation

pronounced as (lee voe nor jes' trel)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Levonorgestrel is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse (sex without any method of birth control or with a birth control method that failed or was not used properly

  • e.g., a condom that slipped or broke or birth control pills that were not taken as scheduled
). Levonorgestrel should not be used to prevent pregnancy on a regular basis. This medication is to be used as an emergency contraceptive or backup in case regular birth control fails or is used incorrectly. Levonorgestrel is in a class of medications called progestins. It works by preventing the release of an egg from the ovary or preventing fertilization of the egg by sperm (male reproductive cells). It also may work by changing the lining of the uterus (womb) to prevent development of a pregnancy. Levonorgestrel may prevent pregnancy, but it will not prevent the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
  • AIDS
) and other sexually transmitted diseases.


How should this medicine be used?

Levonorgestrel comes as a tablet to take by mouth. If you are taking levonorgestrel as a single tablet product , take one tablet as soon as possible within 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse. If you are taking levonorgestrel as a two tablet product, take one tablet as soon as possible within 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse and take a second dose 12 hours later. Levonorgestrel works best if it is taken as soon as possible after unprotected sexual intercourse. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take levonorgestrel exactly as directed.

If you vomit less than 2 hours after you take a dose of levonorgestrel, call your doctor. You may need to take another dose of this medication.

Because you can become pregnant soon after treatment with levonorgestrel, you should continue using your regular method of birth control or begin using regular birth control immediately.


What are the precautions to be followed?

Before taking levonorgestrel,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to levonorgestrel, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in levonorgestrel tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements, you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: barbiturates such as phenobarbital or secobarbital; bosentan (Tracleer); griseofulvin (Grifulvin V, Gris-PEG); certain medications used to treat HIV including atazanavir (Reyataz). darunavir (Prezista, in Prezcobix), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), etravirine (Intelence), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir (in Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), rilpivirine (Edurant, in Complera), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), saquinavir (Invirase), and tipranavir (Aptivus); certain medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Oxtellar XR, Trileptal), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), and topiramate (Qudexy XR, Topamax, Trokendi XR, in Qsymia); and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane). Levonorgestrel may not work as well or may be more likely to cause side effects if it is taken with these medications.
  • tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any medical conditions.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Do not take levonorgestrel if you are already pregnant. Levonorgestrel will not end a pregnancy that has already begun.
  • you should know that after you take levonorgestrel, it is normal for your next menstrual period to begin up to a week earlier or later than expected. If your next menstrual period is delayed for longer than 1 week after the expected date, call your doctor. You may be pregnant and your doctor will probably tell you to have a pregnancy test.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

Levonorgestrel may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
  • heavier or lighter than usual menstrual bleeding
  • spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • tiredness
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • breast pain or tenderness
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience the following symptom, call your doctor immediately:
  • severe lower abdominal pain (3 to 5 weeks after taking levonorgestrel)

Levonorgestrel may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.


How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.


Drug Category/Class

  • Contraceptive Agents, Female
  • Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic
  • Contraceptive Agents
  • Hormonal Contraceptives for Systemic Use
  • Sex Hormones and Modulators of the Genital System
  • Genito Urinary System and Sex Hormones
  • Progestogens and Estrogens, Sequential Preparations
  • Progestogens
  • Emergency Contraceptives
  • Progestogens and Estrogens, Sequential Products
  • CYP3A4 Inhibitors
  • Progestoge
Prescribed For the treatment of menopausal and postmenopausal disorders and alone or in combination with other hormones as an oral contraceptive.
Weight :312.4458
Structure Levonorgestrel
Generic Drug Levonorgestrel prescribed For the treatment of menopausal and postmenopausal disorders and alone or in combination with other hormones as an oral contraceptive.
Formula

C21H28O2

Levonorgestrel has 21 Brands listed


72 Hours (0.75 mg)Ecee 2 (0.75 mg)
Eve Pill (1.5 mg)G Pill (0.75 mg)
G Pill (1.5 mg)Gynapill (0.75 mg)
Help 72 (1.5 mg)I Pill (1.5 mg)
No Chance (1.5 mg)No will (1.5 mg)
Nofear 72 (1.5 mg)Norisk (0.75 mg)
Norlevo (0.75 mg)OH GOD (1.5 mg)
Pill 72 (0.75 mg)She 72 (1.5 mg)
Sirf Ek (1.5 mg)Tab 72 (72 mg)
Undesired 3DUnwanted 72 (1.5 mg)
Yew Lady Care

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