“Morning After Pill” Levonorgestrel 1.5mg Emergency Contraceptive | 1

Description

Who is the “Morning After Pill” Suitable For?

• Suitable for women of childbearing age, including those aged 16 years and over.
• Can be used by most women who have had unprotected sex or experienced contraceptive failure (e.g. condom breakage, missed pill).
• Not intended as a regular contraceptive method.

Ingredients / Active Ingredients

• Active substance: Levonorgestrel 1.5mg (a synthetic progestogen).
• Other ingredients: include lactose monohydrate, maize starch, povidone, magnesium stearate, and colloidal anhydrous silica.

How to Use / Dosage Instructions

• Dosage by age group:
  • Adults and adolescents (≥16 years): Take one tablet (1.5mg) orally as soon as possible after unprotected sex, ideally within 12 hours and no later than 72 hours (3 days).
• How often to take it:
  • Only one tablet per episode of unprotected sex. If vomiting occurs within 3 hours, another tablet should be taken as soon as possible.
• How to administer:
  • Swallow whole with water.
• Duration of use:
  • For occasional emergency use only. Not for regular contraception.

Possible Side Effects

Most women tolerate it well. However, side effects may include:

• Common: Nausea, abdominal pain, tiredness, headache, dizziness, breast tenderness, changes in menstrual cycle (earlier, later, heavier or lighter bleeding).
• Uncommon: Vomiting, diarrhoea, irregular bleeding.
• Rare: Rash, swelling of the face, or allergic reactions.

Seek urgent help if you develop severe abdominal pain or signs of pregnancy.

Warnings and Precautions

• Do not use if allergic to levonorgestrel or any excipients.
• Not suitable if you are already pregnant.
• Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• May be less effective in women with higher body weight or BMI.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Not to be used if already pregnant. Safe for breastfeeding women, but it is recommended to breastfeed immediately before taking the tablet and avoid breastfeeding for 8 hours afterwards.
• Driving and machinery: May cause dizziness; avoid driving until you feel well.

Interactions with Other Medicines

Some medicines may reduce effectiveness, including:

• Enzyme-inducing drugs (e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampicin, St John’s Wort).
• Certain HIV or tuberculosis treatments.

Consult a pharmacist or doctor if you are on long-term medication.

When to Consult a Pharmacist or Doctor

• If your period is more than 5 days late or unusually light/heavy.
• If you experience abdominal pain or signs of pregnancy.
• If vomiting occurs within 3 hours of taking the tablet.
• If you have used enzyme-inducing medicines in the past 4 weeks.

Storage Information

• Store below 25°C in original packaging.
• Keep out of sight and reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the pack.

FAQs

1. Can Levonorgestrel be used more than once in the same cycle?
   Yes, but frequent use is not recommended as it can disrupt your cycle.
2. How effective is it?
   It is most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex (over 80% effective if taken within 72 hours).
3. Does body weight affect how well it works?
   It may be less effective in women with a BMI over 26 or weight above 70kg, though it can still be used.
4. Will it affect my fertility long term?
   No—fertility returns quickly after use.
5. What should I do if I’m already using contraception?
   You can continue your regular contraceptive method after taking levonorgestrel. Use barrier protection until your next period.