Levonorgestrel

When used as directed, levonorgestrel works by temporarily preventing or delaying ovulation. Levonorgestrel will not terminate an existing pregnancy and will not work if you are already pregnant. Levonorgestrel will not protect you from HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

You have 72 hours (3 days) to use levonorgestrel to prevent pregnancy after birth control failure or unprotected sex. The sooner you take it, the more effective it is (for example, it’s more effective if taken 3 hours after unprotected sex rather than 48+ hours after).

The sooner you take levonorgestrel, the better it works. If levonorgestrel tablet is taken as directed, it can significantly decrease the chance that you will get pregnant. With levonorgestrel, about 7 out of 8 women who would have gotten pregnant will not become pregnant.

Levonorgestrel can be taken as often as necessary to prevent an unplanned pregnancy, However, levonorgestrel is only intended to be used in emergencies and is not recommended as a primary form of birth control. Birth control is more effective than levonorgestrel at preventing pregnancy.
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• Some women may have changes in their period, such as a period that is heavier or lighter or a period that is early or delayed. If your period is more than a week late, you may be pregnant.
• If you have severe abdominal pain, you may have an ectopic pregnancy and should get immediate medical attention.
• When used as directed, levonorgestrel tablet is safe and effective. Side effects may include changes in your period, nausea, lower stomach (abdominal) pain, tiredness, headache, dizziness, and breast tenderness.
• If you vomit within 2 hours of taking this medication, contact a healthcare professional to find out if you should repeat the dose.

Levonorgestrel should not be used:

• as a regular birth control method, because it is not as effective as regular birth control.
• if you are already pregnant, because it will not work.
• if you allergic to levonorgestrel or any other ingredients in levonorgestrel tablet (colloidal silicon dioxide, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, talc, corn starch, lactose monohydrate).

Levonorgestrel tablet is a backup or emergency method of birth control you can use when:

• your regular birth control was used incorrectly or failed.
• you did not use any birth control method.

If it has been more than 72 hours (3 days) but less than 120 hours (5 days) since you had unprotected sex, our medical team recommends requesting prescription Ella® with overnight shipping here. The most effective method of emergency contraception is to have an IUD inserted by a medical provider within 5 days. This method is not impacted by body weight, and you can leave the IUD in for years as birth control.
If it has been more than 5 days since unprotected sex, emergency contraception will no longer be effective. We recommend taking a pregnancy test two weeks after you had sex, or if your period is late.