Adult Dosing
Emergency contraception
- 0.75 mg PO within 72 hrs of intercourse, then repeat 0.75 mg PO after 12 hrs of 1st dose
- Alternate: 1.5 mg PO within 72 hrs of intercourse
- Note: Consider repeating the dose if vomiting occurs within two hours of taking the tablet
Pediatric Dosing
- Not indicated before menarche
Emergency contraception (postpubertal adolescents >17 years)
- 0.75 mg PO within 72 hrs of intercourse, then repeat 0.75 mg PO after 12 hrs of 1st dose
- Alternate: 1.5 mg PO within 72 hrs of intercourse
Note:
- Consider repeating the dose if vomiting occurs within two hours of taking the tablet
- Available only by prescription for women younger than 17 years of age
See Supplemental Patient Information
- Ectopic pregnancy can occur with routine use of progestin-only contraceptives, Consider the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy in women who become pregnant or complain of lower abdominal pain after taking progestin-only contraceptives
- An existing pregnancy cannot be terminated with levonorgestrel
- Levonorgestrel can cause spotting or irregular menstrual cycle
- Levonorgestrel does not protect against HIV or any other sexually transmitted infections
- If there is any doubt concerning the general health or pregnancy status of any woman after taking levonorgestrel, consider follow-up physical and pelvic examination
- Routine contraception should be continued or initiated as soon as possible following use of levonorgestrel as fertility returns following the use of emergency contraception with levonorgestrel
Cautions: Use cautiously in
Supplemental Patient Information
- Advise patients to seek medical attention if they experience severe lower abdominal pain 3 to 5 weeks after taking levonorgestrel, to evaluate ectopic pregnancy
- Instruct patients not to use it as routine contraception
- Inform that it does not protect against HIV-infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases/infections
- Inform patient to consider pregnancy if the periods are delayed by one week even after taking levonorgestrel
- Patients should be informed that is not used to terminate existing pregnancy
Pregnancy Category:X
Breastfeeding: Nonhormonal methods of contraception are preferred during breastfeeding, but progestin-only contraceptives such as levonorgestrel are considered the hormonal contraceptives of choice during lactation. As per evidence levonorgestrel does not adversely affect the composition of milk, the growth and development of the infant or the milk supply. As per the expert opinion in the United States, progestin-only contraceptive products generally outweigh the theoretical or proven risks before 4 weeks postpartum. However use after 3 days postpartum when lactation is established. Based on study conducted on a single 1.5 mg dose nursing can be resumed 8 hours after a large dose. This information is based upon LactMed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 3 February 2011). As per manufacturer data isolated post-marketing cases of decreased milk production have been reported. Small amounts of progestins pass into the breast milk of nursing mothers taking progestin-only pills for long-term contraception, resulting in detectable steroid levels in infant plasma.
US Trade Name(s)
- Next choice
- Next Choice One Dose
- Plan B
- Plan B one Step
US Availability
levonorgestrel (generic)
- OTC TABS: 0.75, 1.5 mg
- TABS: 0.75, 1.5 mg
Next Choice
Next Choice One Dose
Plan B
Plan B One Step
Canadian Trade Name(s)
Canadian Availability
Norlevo, Plan B
UK Trade Name(s)
- Levonelle 1500
- Levonelle One Step
- Norgeston
UK Availability
Levolenelle 1500, Levonelle One Step
Norgeston
Australian Trade Name(s)
- Levonelle-1
- Levonelle-2
- Microlut
- NorLevo
- NorLevo-1
- Postinor-1
- Postinor-2
Australian Availability
Levonelle-1, Postinor-1, NorLevo-1
Levonelle-2, NorLevo, Postinor-2
Microlut