Levonelle
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Availability
Fastest delivery available: 04/11/2024
| Qty | 1 | 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £14.99 | £27.99 |
Medication features
If you’ve engaged in sexual intercourse without contraception, or if your contraception has failed and you do not wish to become pregnant, you may need an emergency contraceptive pill such as Levonelle.
DISCREET NEXT DAY DELIVERY AVAILABLE
- Take Within 72 Hours Of Having Sex
- Morning After Pill
- Active Ingredient: Levonorgestrel
- Buy With Confidence From UK Registered Pharmacy
Overview
What is Levonelle?
Levonelle is a branded morning after pill that contains the active ingredient levonorgestrel. It is a single-use pill that you take after having had unprotected sexual intercourse should you not wish to become pregnant.
What does Levonelle do?
The Levonelle pill will stop or delay you from ovulating. Levonelle is not effective if someone is already pregnant - it is not an abortive pill, and if you take it while you are ovulating, it will not work.
You will need to take an emergency contraceptive if the following apply:
- You do not use contraception and have had unprotected sexual intercourse
- You have used contraception, but it failed for example, a condom breaking during sexual intercourse
The Levonelle tablet does not protect against or treat sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you have had unprotected sex and think that you may be at risk of an STI, visit your doctor or sexual health centre. They will be able to test you for STIs and offer any treatment if necessary.
Levonelle is used for the sole purpose of emergency contraception. If you take too much Levonelle, it can affect your menstrual cycle. Therefore, if you find yourself taking Levonelle more than once every six months, it might be a good idea to speak to your doctor or sexual health nurse about other contraceptive options.
How does Levonelle work?
Levonelle contains the active ingredient levonorgestrel that works by preventing ovulation. It does this by creating a synthetic progesterone hormone, which delays ovulation. Levonelle tablets also thicken the lining of mucus in the cervix, which makes it less penetrable for sperm.
This means that you cannot take Levonelle during or after ovulation. If you have already ovulated, speak to your doctor or sexual health nurse, who will be able to recommend an alternative form of emergency contraception.
Bleeding after Levonelle
It is normal to bleed a little after taking the Levonelle pill. This may only occur once, or you may bleed a little until your next period. If the bleeding is severe, consult your doctor. Also, if you do not have a noticeable period (if you continue spotting and your period feels different to normal), consult your doctor or take a pregnancy test.
Levonelle or ellaOne
Levonelle and ellaOne are both emergency contraceptive pills that work in similar ways.
EllaOne is generally thought to be slightly more effective if it has been more than 72 hours since engaging in sexual intercourse. The effectiveness of Levonelle decreases after the 12-hour window, and you can only take it up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. In contrast, EllaOne works for up to five days.
Aside from this point, Levonelle is considered to be highly effective with a 95% success rate when taken inside 25 hours.
You can buy Levonelle online at Cloud Pharmacy, following a quick consultation with one of our trained pharmacy specialists who will be able to provide a prescription. Orders placed before 3 pm are eligible for next-day delivery.
Levonelle and alcohol
Drinking alcohol does not reduce the effectiveness of the Levonelle pill. However, drinking alcohol could increase the chance of vomiting. If you vomit within three hours of taking Levonelle, you will need to take another pill.
Levonelle and breastfeeding
Small trace amounts of Levonelle have been found in breast milk. Because of the active ingredients, this is not considered to be harmful to your baby. However, if you are concerned, you can wait 8 hours after taking Levonelle before breastfeeding which will reduce the trace amounts of Levonelle in your breast milk.
Levonelle reviews
Levonelle reviews are mainly positive. People report that it works well, as long as it is taken as soon after unprotected sex as possible, and that side effects are either rare or very mild.
It is generally considered a useful and safe form of emergency contraception when other methods have been forgotten or failed.
Levonelle price
The price of the Levonelle emergency contraceptive pill at Cloud Pharmacy is £19.99. Speak to one of our consultants and order before 3 pm to receive the very next day.
Patient Information Leaflet
Levonelle Patient Information Leaflet
You can find the patient information leaflet here.
Directions
Levonelle dosage
Levonorgestrel tablets come as a single 1500 microgram tablet. Those using it should take the tablet on a one-off occasion, as soon after unprotected sex as possible. If you are sick within 3 hours of taking the tablet, take another tablet as soon as possible.
When to take Levonelle
Take Levonelle as soon as possible after unprotected sexual intercourse. It is called the ‘morning after pill’ because it is most effective the morning after unprotected sex - or even straight after if possible.
However, Levonelle only works for up to 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse. If it has been more than three days but less than five, you will need to consult your doctor about taking an alternative emergency contraceptive pill such as ellaOne, which is stocked by Cloud Pharmacy.
Levonelle has been shown to have an 84% success rate. This is because the medication becomes increasingly less effective between 12-72 hours. Its effectiveness if taken within 25 hours is 95%. So, provided you take your Levonelle pill quickly after unprotected sex, and it is before you begin to ovulate, there is a high chance of avoiding pregnancy.
How to take Levonelle
To take a Levonelle pill, swallow it whole with a glass of water. You will only need to take one tablet (unless you vomit within 3 hours of taking it - speak to your doctor or pharmacist if this is the case).
Levonelle should delay ovulation as soon as you take the pill. However, it is much more effective if you take it shortly after sex.
Who can take Levonelle?
Levonelle is not recommended for women who are under 16 years old. If you are under 16 and need emergency contraception, you should speak to your doctor or go to a family planning clinic, where they will advise you on contraception. All appointments are confidential.
It is also not advisable to take Levonelle if you have the following conditions:
- Severe liver problems
- Previous ectopic pregnancy
- Bowel conditions, such as Crohn’s disease. This is because it can stop you from absorbing the drug effectively, so other emergency contraception methods exist that will be better. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist
- Salpingitis, which is an inflammation of your fallopian tubes
The Levonelle pill contains 142.5 mg of lactose monohydrate. If you have an intolerance to lactose or other sugars, speak to your doctor before taking Levonelle.
How long does Levonelle delay ovulation?
It depends where you are in your cycle, but Levonelle delays ovulation for a few days. Your period will probably be a few days later as well. However, if your period is more than a few days late, take a pregnancy test and speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
Side Effects
Levonelle side effects
Like any medication, there are potential side effects to Levonelle. Always speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any course of medication.
Common Levonelle side effects
Common side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting. If you vomit within 3 hours of taking Levonelle, you will need to take another pill
- Pain in your stomach
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Sore breasts
Rare side effects of Levonelle
Rare side effects of Levonelle include:
- Rash
- Pruritus (feeling itchy)
- Urticaria (itchy welts)
- Swelling around your face
- Pain in your pelvis
If you experience any of the rare side effects listed above, speak to your doctor. The side effects of the emergency contraceptive pill are not considered serious, but if you are concerned, seek medical attention.
Levonelle drug reactions
If you take any other medications, Levonelle might not work properly or you may be at increased risk of side effects. Speak to your doctor before taking the Levonelle pill if you are currently taking any of the following medication or suffer from any of the associated conditions (please note that this not an exhaustive list):
- Griseofulvin, a medicine for fungal infections
- Ritonavir, efavirenz or another HIV medication
- St John’s Wort or any herbal medications containing this drug
- Barbiturates and other epilepsy medication
- Ciclosporin, which suppresses the immune system
If you are on any other medication or have underlying health issues and are worried about taking Levonelle, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
When to speak to a doctor
If your next period is very late (more than seven days), or very heavy or light, speak to a doctor. You may also wish to do an at-home pregnancy test if you suspect that you may be pregnant. If your period starts as normal or is just a few days late, treat it as you usually would.
If you are not on any form of contraception and are sexually active, you may wish to speak to your doctor about your options. You can either ensure that you always use a condom or other barrier method or opt for a prescribed form of contraception. There are lots of options, including the hormonal pill, the IUD (coil), the injection and the implant - so you should be able to find something that works for you.
Levonelle FAQs
What is the Morning After Pill?
Earning its name from the time at which you take it, the morning after pill is a form of contraceptive, designed only to be taken in an emergency. This could be due to your usual contraceptive not working (such as a condom breaking) or maybe you just didn’t use any, but in these circumstances, the morning after pill can be taken to prevent pregnancy.
Can the Morning After Pill be purchased online?
Levonelle and EllaOne are available online through our pharmacy online. You should only purchase the morning after pill online as an advance supply - if you have had unprotected sex or a contraceptive failure, you should see your GP, local GUM clinic, or local pharmacy to obtain the treatment as soon as possible.
When ordering online, always check that the website is registered with the MHRA.
Is it safe to take the Morning After Pill?
The morning after pill is widely regarded as safe to take with few side effects.
How much does the Morning After Pill cost?
The pill is available to buy from most pharmacies, with Cloud Pharmacy offering emergency contraception products from £19.99 including delivery.
Is the Morning After Pill suitable for me?
Please note that our service is strictly for people aged 18 or over.
The morning after pill will not be suitable if:
- You're already pregnant
- You had unprotected sex more than 5 days (120 hours) ago
- You're allergic to any of the ingredients (the pharmacist can help you with this)
- You have a sugar intolerance
- You have already had the morning after pill during this month's menstrual cycle (speak to your doctor,
- family planning clinic)
You must tell the pharmacist or your doctor if you fall into ANY of the below categories before you take the morning after pill:
- You've previously had an ectopic pregnancy
- You live with a digestive order, such as Crohn's disease
- If you are taking any other medication, especially: Barbiturates, Primidone, Phenytoin, Carbemazepine (used predominantly to treat epilepsy), Ciclosporin, Griseofulvin (for fungal infections), herbal remedies containing St John's Wort, Rifampicin or Rifabutin (usually for tuberculosis), Ritonavir (for HIV infection)
- If you're breast feeding
- If you're unsure if the morning after pill is suitable for you
Can the Morning After Pill be taken regularly?
You must not use this medication as a method of regular contraception and should bear in mind that it doesn't protect you against chlamydia, gonorrhoea, or other STIs (sexually-transmitted diseases).
How effective is the Morning After Pill?
The morning after pill is not 100% effective, but there is a greater chance of preventing a pregnancy if it is taken within 12 hours of unprotected sex.
A trial undertaken by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that levonorgestrel (the ingredient in Levonelle) prevented:
95% of expected pregnancies when taken within 24 hours of sex
85% if taken within 25-48 hours
58% if taken within 49-72 hours
ellaOne® if used correctly, is very likely that it will be effective. However, it is not effective in every case: of 100 women receiving ellaOne® up to 5 days after unprotected sex, approximately 2 will become pregnant. So, as long as you use ellaOne® correctly, it is very likely that it will be effective.
The morning after pill will not stop a pregnancy if you are already pregnant.
How do I take the Morning After Pill?
Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine.
Take the tablet as soon as possible after unprotected sex - ideally within 12 hours and before 72 hours has past (120 hours for ellaOne®)
Swallow the tablet whole, with water.
If you are sick within three hours you will need to take another tablet.
How does the Morning After Pill work?
Morning after pills work primarily by stopping or delaying the body from releasing an egg (ovulation). In the case of levonorgestrel (ingredient in Levonelle), it may also affect the lining of the womb, preventing a fertilised egg from implanting itself.
Does alcohol affect the Morning After Pill?
There is no evidence to suggest that alcohol will reduce the effectiveness of the morning after pill.
AUTHORED BY
Ibrahim co-founded Cloud Pharmacy, stemming from a desire to revolutionise healthcare accessibility in the UK. This vision was conceptualised in 2013 to provide patient-centred care across the country.
REVIEWED BY
Nazmul brings over 11 years of experience to his role as Superintendent Pharmacist & Director. A University of Strathclyde alumnus, he has a strong background in pharmacy, previously working as a pharmacist at Boots before co-founding Cloud Pharmacy with Ibrahim.
Levonelle Reviews
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