Buy Levonelle pill to protect yourself against pregnancy

What is Levonelle?

Levonelle is a type of emergency contraception that is used after having unprotected sex to prevent unplanned pregnancy. It's more commonly known as a morning after pill.

How does Levonelle work?

Levonelle is a progestogen hormone that acts to prevent pregnancy by inhibiting or delaying ovulation. This means an egg is not released from the ovary, so fertilisation cannot occur from unprotected sex prior to ovulation. It is not effective after ovulation has already occurred.

How effective is Levonelle ?

The sooner you take Levonelle the more effective it is. The pregnancy rate following the use of Levonelle is around 0.6–3.1%. This means that if 1000 women take Levonelle after unprotected sex, between 6 and 31 will fall pregnant.

How often can I use Levonelle?

Levonelle should only be used in emergencies, it should not be used as a regular method of contraception. Levonelle has not been tested for prolonged or regular use. It contains a high dose of hormones that can produce stronger side effects and have an effect on your menstrual cycle. In addition, Levonelle is not as effective as other methods of contraception, so other methods can be more reliable.

Why can’t I buy Levonelle for emergency use via Dr Felix?

Levonelle is available from Dr Felix as a “stand by” treatment only. We do not offer it as an emergency treatment due to the time-sensitive nature of emergency contraception. While you can take Levonelle up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, it's most effective within the first 24 hours and should be taken as soon as possible.

Where can I get Levonelle for emergency use?

You can get Levonelle for emergency use from your GP, local sexual health clinic or pharmacy. It’s often available free, however, pharmacies may charge for it. Often it’s available from school nurses, emergency departments, walk-in centres or minor injury centres.

Levonelle summary

Active ingredients

The active ingredient in Levonelle is 1.5mg of levonorgestrel.

Inactive ingredients

The inactive ingredients in Levonelle are: maize starch, potato starch, magnesium, colloidal silica anhydrous, stearate (E572), talc (E533b), lactose monohydrate.

How to take Levonelle

Take the tablet as soon as possible after having unprotected sex. It should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. It can be taken up to 72 hours after sexual intercourse but works best within the first 24 hours.

Levonelle dosage

Levonelle is taken as a single tablet containing a dose of 1.5mg of levonorgestrel.

Levonelle side effects

Common side effects may include: 

• Nausea
• Headaches
• Feeling tired
• Irregular bleeding between your periods 
• Lower abdominal pain

Less common side effects can include: 

• Vomiting
• Changes to your menstrual cycle 
• Diarrhoea 
• Breast tenderness
• Painful periods 
• Pelvic pain
• Rash

Contraindications

Levonelle is not suitable to take if: 

• You are already pregnant
• It has been more than 72 hours since you have unprotected sex
• If your period is more than 5 days late 

The treatment may not be suitable if you: 

• Have a disease of the small bowel
• Have salpingitis (inflammation of the fallopian tubes)
• Have severe liver problems 
• Have ever experienced an ectopic pregnancy 
• Are obese

If you are under 16 years of age you need to see a doctor or visit a family planning clinic to get access to emergency contraception.

Drug interactions

If you are using the following medications, Levonelle may not work correctly: 

• Barbiturates 
• Medications for tuberculosis 
• HIV treatments 
• Antifungal medicines 
• St John's wort

You may be offered an IUD instead which is a long term contraceptive, known as the coil, that also works as a method of emergency contraception, and is not affected by medication.

Alcohol and Levonelle

Alcohol does not have an effect on Levonelle. 

Levonelle vs ellaOne

The main difference between the two types of emergency contraception is that ellaOne can be taken within five days of having unprotected sex whereas Levonelle must be taken within three days. Both work in similar ways and are more likely to be effective when taken early on. Overall, ellaOne is slightly more effective, with a pregnancy rate of 0.9–2.1%, compared with 0.6–3.1% for Levonelle. 

Levonelle may be more suitable for people with certain medical problems such as severe asthma, or for those using certain medications, including hormonal contraceptives. Your prescriber will be able to advise which is most suitable for you.

What is the effect of Levonelle if I am pregnant?

Levonelle will not have any harmful effects if you are already pregnant. It will not terminate a pregnancy and does not work in place of an abortion pill. 

What should I do if I vomit after taking Levonelle?

If you vomit within 3 hours of taking Levonelle you should take another pill right away. If you continue to vomit, then see a GP or pharmacist right away as they may be able to give you a different treatment.

Is Levonelle an abortion pill?

Levonelle is not an abortion pill and it cannot terminate an existing pregnancy. It is a form of contraception that prevents conception from taking place.

Can Levonelle cause a miscarriage?

Studies have concluded that taking Levonelle will not cause harm to an unborn baby, or cause a miscarriage if you are already pregnant.

Can Levonelle cause ectopic pregnancy?

If you have previously experienced an ectopic pregnancy then you may be more at risk of having one after taking Levonelle. If this applies to you then let your doctor know as Levonelle may not be suitable. 

Does Levonelle affect your period?

A common side effect of Levonelle is that it can affect your next period. It is common for your next period to come earlier or later than usual. In addition, your period could be heavier or lighter. An early sign of pregnancy can be a change in your period, therefore, it is recommended that you take a pregnancy test after your next period is due, just to be sure.

Can Levonelle affect a pregnancy test?

Taking Levonelle will not affect the results of a pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests check for a hormone called HCG, which is only produced if you are pregnant. 

How many times can I take Levonelle?

You can take Levonelle as often as you need to but it should only be used in emergencies. If you find that you need to take Levonelle regularly, an alternative method of contraception may be more suitable for you.

When is Levonelle most effective?

Levonelle is most effective when it is taken within the first 24 hours. Levonelle effectiveness decreases, the longer you leave it after unprotected sex, however, it can be effective up to 72 hours later. If you are unable to take Levonelle quickly, ellaOne may be more effective. ellaOne can be effective for up to 5 days after unprotected sex.

How old do you have to be to take Levonelle?

Levonelle can only be purchased by adults over 16. It may be prescribed to women under 16, at the discretion of a doctor.