Levest Contraceptive Pill

Levest is a combined oral contraceptive pill that’s taken daily for 21 days to prevent pregnancy followed by a 7-day pill-free break.

Levest contains man-made versions of oestrogen and progesterone, important hormones for regulating the menstrual cycle. Each Levest pill contains 150mcg of levonorgestrel (progestogen) and 30mcg of ethinylestradiol (oestrogen).

Although Levest is primarily used to prevent pregnancy, it can have some other benefits, including:

• making periods lighter and less painful
• treating acne
• reducing premenstrual symptoms

Levest works to prevent pregnancy by mimicking the actions of the female sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone. Together they work to prevent pregnancy in 3 ways by:

1. Preventing an egg from being released from the ovaries (ovulation).
2. Thinning the womb lining to stop an egg from implanting itself.
3. Thickening the cervical mucus making it harder for sperm to reach an egg.

How long does Levest take to work?

If you take your first Levest pill on days 1 to 5 of your period, you will be protected from pregnancy immediately.

If you start taking Levest after day 5 of your period, you will need to use an additional form of contraception, like condoms, for 7 days.

How effective is Levest?

If used correctly, Levest is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, with typical use it is likely to be closer to 91% effective when factors such as forgetting to take the pill or illness, including sickness (vomiting) and diarrhoea are taken into account.

Research also shows that Levest, like other combined pills, may effectively manage acne, improve heavy periods, and excessive hair growth (hirsutism).

Levest is supplied in blister strips of 21 pills. You should swallow 1 pill every day with water. Each pill is marked with a corresponding day of the week.

To take Levest, you should:

• take a pill that relates to the day of the week you are on, so if it is Sunday, take a pill marked ‘Sun’
• take 1 pill at the same time each day for 21 days
• follow the direction of the arrows until you have taken all 21 pills
• then, have a 7-day break where you will take no pills for 7 days
• within a few days you should have a ‘withdrawal bleed’ that’s similar to a period – if you have taken the pill correctly, you will be protected against pregnancy during this break and won’t need to use additional contraception
• after 7 days, start a new Levest strip, even if you are still bleeding

You can take Levest strips back to back without a pill-free break if you would prefer not to have a withdrawal bleed. It’s important to make sure you’re not pregnant before starting Levest.

You can find out more information about how to take Levest in the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication.

When to take Levest

You should start taking Levest on day 1 of your period, but you can start it on days 1 to 5 of your period. If you start it after this, you will need to use extra contraception, like condoms, for 7 days.

What if I miss a dose of Levest?

If you miss a Levest pill and it is

• less than 12 hours late, take your missed pill as soon as you remember. Your protection against pregnancy shouldn’t be reduced.
• more than 12 hours late, take the most recently missed pill as soon as you remember and skip any earlier missed pills. Then take your next scheduled pill at the right time, even if this means taking 2 pills in the same day. You will need to use another form of contraception like condoms, for 7 days.

Some people find it helpful to set an alarm on their phone, use a pill reminder app or a pill box to help them remember to take their pill at the right time.

What if I take too much Levest?

If you take too many Levest pills, it shouldn’t cause you any harm, but you may experience some side effects like nausea, vomiting, or vaginal bleeding. If you experience any side effects and you are concerned, contact your doctor.

What if I throw up after taking Levest?

If you are sick (vomit) or have bad diarrhoea within 4 hours of taking Levest, you should either:

• take the last pill of the strip in place of the pill which may not have been fully absorbed. Then, take all the other pills on the correct days. Your cycle will be shorter, but your protection won’t be affected. After your 7-day pill break, you will have a new starting day that is 1 day earlier than before, or
• take a pill from a spare strip of Levest pills if you have one and then take the other pills from your current strip as usual. If you do this your starting day won’t change.

Levest is available to buy in most UK pharmacies once you have obtained a prescription by a doctor. It is also available for request from reputable online doctor services, or from the NHS.

Can I buy Levest online?

Yes, you can request Levest from ZAVA by:

1. Filling out a brief health and lifestyle questionnaire.
2. Requesting your preferred treatment and making payment.
3. One of our doctors will review your treatment request and questionnaire answers.
4. If approved, your treatment will be posted to your address or made available for collection at your local Post Office.
5. If your request is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

Can I buy Levest over the counter?

No, Levest is a prescription-only medication, so you will need to get a prescription from a doctor before you can obtain it.

Hana is an over-the-counter progesterone-only pill that’s available online and from most UK pharmacies without a prescription.

Can I get Levest on the NHS?

Yes, Levest may be available on the NHS, but you will need to speak to your doctor to see if it is suitable for you.

Like all medications, Levest may cause side effects, but not everyone will get them.

Common side effects that can affect up to 1 in 10 people include:

• headaches
• weight gain
• feeling sick (nausea)
• stomach ache
• depressive moods or mood swings
• sore or painful breasts

Uncommon side effects affecting up to 1 in 100 people include:

• fluid retention
• loss of interest in sex
• enlarged breasts
• skin rash that may be itchy
• migraine
• being sick (vomiting)
• upset stomach

Rare side effects may affect up to 1 in 1000 people include:

• allergic reactions which can sometimes be severe with swelling of the skin and/or mucous membranes (erythema nodosum & erythema multiforme)
• weight loss
• breast or vaginal discharge
• discomfort while wearing contact lenses
• increased sex drive

A full list of side effects can be found in the patient information leaflet that comes with your pill.

How long do Levest side effects last?

Most mild Levest side effects should improve or go away within 3 months, as your body adjusts to the medication.

Although these side effects should be temporary, if you are still experiencing them after 3 months or are finding them difficult to manage, you should speak to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for advice.

What to do if you get Levest side effects

Most mild Levest side effects can be managed at home by:

• taking over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol to manage pain associated with headaches, cramps, or breast tenderness
• drinking plenty of clear fluid to keep you hydrated and manage symptoms like headaches and feeling sick
• eating smaller, more frequent meals if you are feeling sick
• applying a hot compress to your lower abdomen to manage cramps

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, call 999 or go to A&E straight away:

Signs of an allergic reaction:

• swollen hands, face, lips, tongue, or throat
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• a red bumpy rash and itching

Signs of a blood clot:

• swollen hands, face, lips, tongue, or throat
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• heart attack
• stroke
• red, swollen, painful leg

You should not take Levest if you:

• are allergic to levonorgestrel, ethinylestradiol, or any other ingredients in this medication
• have or have ever had a blood clot in your legs, lungs, or any other organs
• have a blood clotting disorder
• need an operation or are going to be off of your feet for a while
• have ever had a heart attack or stroke
• have or have ever had angina pectoris or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• have high blood pressure
• experience migraine with aura
• have a high level of fat in your blood
• have or have ever had breast cancer or liver tumours
• have or have ever had severe liver disease
• have a condition called hyperhomocysteinemia
• have hepatitis C and take medications containing ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir, pibrentasvir, sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, voxilaprevir

Levest and other medications

Some medications can interfere with Levest and stop it from working properly. You should let your doctor know if you are taking any of the following:

• epilepsy medications
• medications to treat HIV infection or Hepatitis C
• griseofulvin, a type of anti-fungal medication
• antibiotics
• sedatives, like barbiturates
• St John’s wort, a herbal remedy

Let your doctor know before taking Levest if you are or going to take any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications.

You can find a variety of different contraceptive pills at ZAVA. If you experience side effects when taking Levest, you can try another type of combined pill. It’s best to contact a doctor for advice on which pill to try next.

➤ See our page on contraceptive pill brands for more information.

There are also alternative contraceptive methods besides other combined pills, including:

• the progesterone-only pill or mini pill, such as Cerelle or Noriday
• non-hormonal barrier methods like condoms or a diaphragm

long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) such as the contraceptive implant or contraceptive coil

➤ You can find out more about these methods in our guide to types of contraception.

If you need emergency contraception, you may need the morning after pill. The morning after pill is taken after you have had unprotected sex, or if your usual contraceptive methods have failed.

Levest vs Rigevidon

Levest and Rigevidon are brand names for the same combined oral contraceptive pill. Both pills contain 150mcg levonorgestrel and 30mcg ethinylestradiol and are taken in the same way. They are also equally effective and can cause the same side effects.

Levest vs Microgynon

Microgyon is another brand with the same active ingredients in the same doses as Levest. However, the amounts of other ingredients included in both pills are slightly different, such as lactose or sucrose.

Levest and Microgynon are taken in the same way, at the same dosage. Both are equally effective, have the same non-contraceptive benefits and the same risk of side effects.