Levonelle
Levonelle is a type of morning after pill which can be taken to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
In stock. Prices from £18.95
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Levonelle is a type of emergency contraceptive often referred to as the morning after pill. It contains the active ingredient levonorgestrel and can be taken within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex. If more than 72 hours have passed, EllaOne or the copper coil might be a more suitable option.
Prices
1 tablet(s) / 1500 mcg - £18.95
1 tablet(s) / 1500 mcg - £18.95
2 x 1 tablet(s) / 1500 mcg - £34.95
About Levonelle
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You can take Levonelle if you’ve had unprotected sex and would like to prevent pregnancy. It is effective up to 72 hours (3 days) after having sex. The active ingredient, levonorgestrel, is a synthetic (man made) type of progestogen which is a synthetic hormone. Progestogens mimic the hormone progesterone that is found naturally in your body.
Important to know: You can take Levonelle if you are on other types of birth control, like the contraceptive pill. Levonelle does not, however, protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
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Levonorgestrel works by stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg, a process known as ovulation. Ovulation usually occurs about halfway through your menstrual cycle, or roughly 2 weeks before your period. Levonorgestrel is not effective if you’re taking it after ovulation.
Everyone’s menstrual cycle is different, so it’s a good idea to track what stage of your cycle you are in. If you have already ovulated, it’s best to use the copper intrauterine device (IUD) as a form of emergency contraception. You can get this fitted at a sexual health or family planning clinic.
Does Levonelle work if you’ve already ovulated?
No, Levonelle prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation. If you have already ovulated and an egg has been released, Levonelle will not prevent pregnancy. If you think ovulation may have happened and that you might be pregnant, you should speak to your doctor. They can discuss any further options that are available to you.
How quickly does Levonelle work?
Levonelle can work to stop ovulation within a few hours of taking it unless you throw up or have diarrhoea within 3 hours. If this happens, your body will not have had time to absorb the medication and you will need to take another tablet.
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Take 1 Levonelle tablet as soon as possible after unprotected sex or a contraception failure (for example if you have forgotten to take your regular contraceptive pill). Ideally try to take it within 12 hours after sex as this is when Levonelle is most effective. You can take it a maximum of 72 hours after sex. It’s possible to take the tablet with or without food.
Please note:
- If you throw up or have diarrhoea within 3 hours of taking a Levonelle tablet, speak to your doctor, pharmacist or sexual health clinic. You’ll probably need to take another tablet as your body will not have been able to absorb the first one you took.
- Levonelle is not designed to be used as a regular method of contraception. There are types of regular contraception that are much more effective.
- A morning after pill such as Levonelle can affect your period by making it slightly earlier or later than normal.
If your period is more than 5 days late or you experience any abnormal vaginal bleeding, speak to your doctor. You should also do a pregnancy test to check if you are pregnant. If you have taken Levonelle and find out you are pregnant, speak to your doctor.
How often can I use Levonelle?
You can take Levonelle more than once in your menstrual cycle but this can cause irregular periods. If you have questions about how often a morning after pill can be used, you should speak to your doctor.
Should I keep taking my contraceptive pill after taking Levonelle?
Yes, it is recommended that you take your next contraceptive pill within 12 hours of taking Levonelle. You should then take your contraceptive pill as normal going forward.
You should also use alternative contraception, such as condoms, for:
- 9 days if you use the combined pill Qlaira
- 2 days if you take a progestogen-only pill
What should I do if I vomit after taking Levonelle?
Vomiting is one of the known side effects of Levonelle. If you vomit after taking Levonelle and it has been less than 3 hours since you took the tablet, you will need to get another. Speak to a pharmacist, doctor, or sexual health clinic so you can get another dose.
If you vomit after taking Levonelle and it has been longer than 3 hours, your body will have absorbed the medication and it is not recommended to take another tablet unless you have unprotected sex again.
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The only way to know for sure if Levonelle or any form of emergency contraception has worked is by waiting for your next period. If your period arrives when it should, you are most likely not pregnant. If your period is late, you can take a pregnancy test.
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Levonelle is effective in preventing around 84% of potential pregnancies when taken within 72 hours. The sooner you take Levonelle, the more effective it will be.
Remember that Levonelle is a type of emergency contraception, so it’s best to have a regular method of contraception if you do not want to get pregnant.
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You may feel some side effects when taking a morning after pill such as Levonelle. These are usually temporary and will disappear within a few hours.
Very common side effects of Levonelle include:
- nausea (feeling sick)
- irregular bleeding
- tiredness
- headache
- pain in your lower abdomen
Some common side effects of Levonelle are:
- vomiting (being sick)
- abnormal periods
- breast tenderness
- dizziness
- diarrhoea
If you think you’ve had an allergic reaction after taking Levonelle, call 999 immediately. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:
- severe itching
- swelling of the face, throat, eyes or lips
- difficulty breathing
You can read the patient information leaflet for further information on side effects.
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Each Levonelle tablet contains 1500 mcg of the active ingredient levonorgestrel. Each tablet also contains:
- potato starch
- maize starch
- colloidal silica anhydrous
- magnesium stearate
- talc
- lactose monohydrate
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You can take Levonelle if you are a woman over the age of 16. If you are under 16, speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or sexual health clinic first.
You should not use Levonelle if you are allergic to levonorgestrel or other ingredients in the tablet.
Speak to your doctor before taking Levonelle if you have:
- a history of liver problems
- ever had an ectopic pregnancy (where the baby grows outside the womb)
- a disease that affects your small bowel such as Crohn’s disease
- a condition called salpingitis where your fallopian tubes are inflamed
Your doctor may suggest using another type of emergency contraception if these conditions affect you. They’ll guide you towards the best treatment choice for you.
Can I take Levonelle while breastfeeding?
If you’re breastfeeding, you should avoid breastfeeding for 1 week after you take Levonelle. During this time, any milk you pump to stimulate and maintain production should be disposed of.
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Levonelle can interfere with how other medications work. Some medicines can also stop Levonelle from working.
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking:
- epilepsy treatment, such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, or carbamazepine
- HIV treatment, such as ritonavir
- tuberculosis treatment, such as rifampicin
- antifungal medication like griseofulvin
- St John’s wort, a herbal remedy used to treat low moods
- ciclosporin, a medicine that suppresses the immune system
You may need an alternative method of emergency contraception in these cases.
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If Levonelle is not suitable for you, you might be able to take EllaOne. EllaOne is another type of morning after pill that can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex or contraception failure. Like Levonelle, EllaOne is most effective if you take it as soon as possible.
You can also get a copper IUD (intrauterine device) fitted. This is a non hormonal contraceptive that must be fitted by a doctor or nurse. The copper IUD can also be used as long term contraception. Speak to your doctor or sexual health clinic to find out more information.
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Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy Levonelle?
Levonelle is available from most pharmacies, but you will need to speak to a doctor or pharmacist before buying it. If you would prefer to buy Levonelle without visiting a pharmacy, it is available from reputable online doctors such as ZAVA. There, you will need to fill out a medical questionnaire to make sure Levonelle is safe and suitable for you.
Can you get Levonelle on the NHS?
Yes, Levonelle is available on the NHS. A doctor or pharmacist will need to talk to you and check that Levonelle is right for you first.
Can you get Levonelle over the counter?
Yes, Levonelle is available over the counter from most pharmacies or reputable online doctors, such as ZAVA. You will still need to answer a few questions for the pharmacist to make sure it’s safe and suitable for you.
How long after taking Levonelle should I do a pregnancy test?
A pregnancy test can normally detect pregnancy 21 days (3 weeks) after unprotected sex. If you want to check whether Levonelle has worked with a pregnancy test, you should wait at least this long.
What is the difference between Levonelle and ellaOne?
Levonelle and ellaOne contain different active ingredients but both work in the same way. Levonelle contains levonorgestrel, whereas ellaOne contains ulipristal acetate. They can also be taken at different times. Levonelle is effective up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex, while ellaOne can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after.
How long will Levonelle stay in your system?
Levonelle can delay ovulation for around 3 days after you take it. This means you may come on your period later than usual, but usually no more than 5 days late. This does not mean you are protected from pregnancy during this period. Even if you are not ovulating after taking Levonelle, you can still become pregnant if you have unprotected sex. Should you have unprotected sex after you’ve taken Levonelle, you’ll need to take another tablet.
Can Levonelle delay your period?
Levonelle can affect your period by making it slightly earlier or later than normal. If your period is more than 5 days late or you experience any abnormal vaginal bleeding, speak to your doctor. You should also do a pregnancy test to check if you are pregnant. If you have taken Levonelle and find out you are pregnant, speak to your doctor.
How do I know if Levonelle has worked?
The only way to know for sure if Levonelle or any form of emergency contraception has worked is by waiting for your next period. If your period arrives when it should, you are most likely not pregnant. If your period is late, you can take a pregnancy test.
Can you drink alcohol after taking Levonelle?
Yes, you can drink alcohol after taking Levonelle – alcohol is not known to cause any interactions. If you get side effects like nausea and vomiting, it is best to avoid alcohol until you feel better.
What if I vomit after taking Levonelle?
If you vomit after taking Levonelle and it has been less than 3 hours since you took the tablet, you will need to get another. Speak to a pharmacist, doctor, or sexual health clinic so you can get another dose. If you vomit after taking Levonelle and it has been longer than 3 hours, your body will have absorbed the medication and it is not recommended to take another tablet unless you have unprotected sex again. A known side effect of Levonelle is vomiting, but this should pass within a few days.
Can Levonelle delay your period?
Yes, Levonelle can make your period come earlier or later than usual. Speak to your doctor and take a pregnancy test if your period is delayed for longer than 5 days.
Can you take Levonelle while breastfeeding?
You can take Levonelle if you are breastfeeding but it’s best to take it after you have breastfed your baby. Leave at least a 7 day gap between taking Levonelle and breastfeeding your baby again.
Can Levonelle cause spotting?
Yes, a very common side effect of Levonelle is irregular bleeding. This is usually not a cause for concern but speak to your doctor if you are bleeding heavily or your period is very painful.
Is Levonelle safe?
Yes, Levonelle is safe to take but can sometimes cause some mild side effects. As you are only taking Levonelle as a single dose, it is not likely to cause any long term effects. There is no evidence that Levonelle will affect your ability to have a baby in the future.
Will Levonelle affect my fertility in the future?
Taking Levonelle should not affect your fertility in the future, even if it’s been taken more than once in a short period. However, it is safer and much more effective to use condoms or other methods of contraception regularly and to avoid taking Levonelle too often. Levonelle, or any other form of emergency contraception, should only be used in emergencies, and not as a regular form of contraception.
Do you bleed after taking Levonelle?
Some people may experience irregular bleeding after using Levonelle. If you’re unsure whether your bleeding is from your period, you can take a pregnancy test as long as it is at least 21 days (3 weeks) since you had unprotected sex.
Can Levonelle cause mood swings?
Levonelle contains hormones which can affect mood, and a common side effect of the medication is mood swings. They normally go away after a few days, but if they do not then you should speak to your doctor.
Does Levonelle stop sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
No, Levonelle will only delay ovulation and prevent pregnancy. You are not protected from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) when you take it. You should use alternative contraceptives such as condoms in order to prevent STIs.
Does Levonelle cause stomach pain?
You may experience some stomach pain after using Levonelle. This is normally mild and will go away within a few days. If the pain becomes unmanageable or does not go away, you should speak to your doctor.
Babak studied medicine at King’s College London and graduated in 2003, having also gained a bachelor’s degree in Physiology during his time there. He completed his general practice (GP) training in East London, where he worked for a number of years as a partner at a large inner-city GP practice. He completed the Royal College of GPs membership exam in 2007.
Meet our doctorsLast reviewed: 24 May 2023
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Levonelle 1500 microgram tablet (Patient Leaflet) EMC [accessed May 2023]
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Emergency contraception (morning after pill, IUD) National Health Service [accessed May 2023]
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Levonelle, Summary of Product Characteristics EMC [accessed May 2023]
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Emergency contraception, Sexwise [accessed May 2023]
You might need emergency contraception if you’ve recently had unprotected sex and want to reduce your risk of getting pregnant. ZAVA offers a morning after pill service, which includes a variety of options.
