What is Levonorgestrel?

21 pink active tablets each containing 0.10 mg of levonorgestrel, d(-)-13b-ethyl-17a-ethinyl- 17b- hydroxygon-4-en-3-one, a totally synthetic progestogen, and 0.02 mg of ethinyl estradiol, 17a-ethinyl-1,3,5(10)-estratriene-3, 17b-diol. The inactive ingredients present are cellulose, hypromellose, iron oxide, lactose, magnesium stearate, polacrilin potassium, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, and wax E.

How does Levonorgestrel work?

LEVONORGESTREL (Plan B) products are effective as emergency oral contraceptives (emergency birth control pills). This product can prevent ovulation and pregnancy after unprotected sex. Levonorgestrel will not work if you are already pregnant; it will not 'abort' a pregnancy that has already started. After consultation with a health care professional, this kit can be used for emergency contraception within the 72 hours after unprotected sex. A generic levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive kit is not yet available.

Levonorgestrel side effects

Severe side effects are relatively rare in women who are healthy and do not smoke while they are taking levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives. On average, more women have problems due to complications from getting pregnant than have problems with oral contraceptives. However, the potential for severe side effects may exist and you may want to discuss these with your health care provider.

If you are taking Levonorgestrel for emergency prevention of pregnancy, it is common to have nausea, headache, abdominal pain or cramping, breast tenderness and dizziness. You may vomit. If you throw-up within 1 hour of taking your dose, you will need to contact your health care professional for instructions. If any of the other side effects are severe or continue, contact your health care professional. After you finish your prescription, it is common for you to have changes in your next period, or to have spotting. If you do not get a period within 21 days of taking your prescription, you should see your health care professional and get a pregnancy test.

Disclaimer:

Information on this page is provided for general information purposes. You should not make a clinical treatment decision based on information contained in this page without consulting other references including the package insert of the drug, textbooks and where relevant, expert opinion. We cannot be held responsible for any errors you make in administering drugs mentioned on this page, nor for use of any erroneous information contained on this page.