Levonorgestrel (Plan B – I-Pill) 1.5mg Tablet is a synthetic progestogen used as an emergency contraceptive and hormone therapy.
Levonorgestrel is used to prevent pregnancy after an unprotected sex or if there is a failure from your usual contraceptive.
Drug = Levonorgestrel
Strength = 1.5mg
Manufacturer = Cipla
How To Take Levonorgestrel (Plan B – I-Pill) 1.5mg Tablet
This medicine may be taken with or without food.
Levonorgestrel is preferably to be taken within 12 hours and not later than 72 hours (3 days) after you have an unprotected sex. Try to take it as soon as possible.
If you vomit within 2 hours after taking this medicine, take another dose.
Take Levonorgestrel exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Dosage of Levonorgestrel (Plan B – I-Pill) 1.5mg Tablet
Contraception Monotherapy: 30 or 37.5 mcg/day. Monophasic combined oral contraceptive (COC): 150-250 mcg/day. Triphasic COC: 50-125 mcg/day.
Emergency contraception: 1.5 mg within 72 hours of coitus or 750 mcg immediately or within 72 hours of coitus, then a 2nd dose 12 hours later.
Menopausal HRT: As a progestogenic component: 75-250 mcg/day for 10-12 days of 28-day cycle.
Missed Dose of Levonorgestrel (Plan B – I-Pill) 1.5mg Tablet
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your usual dosing schedule.
Do not double a dose under any circumstances.
Overdose of Levonorgestrel (Plan B – I-Pill) 1.5mg Tablet
If you think you may have used Levonorgestrel more than the usual dose, please seek medical help immediately.
Contraindications
People with the following medical conditions should not take Levonorgestrel:
- Pregnancy
- Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
- Severe arterial disease
- Liver adenoma
- Porphyria
- After recent evacuation of hydatidiform mole
- History of breast cancer
- Hepatic impairment
Side Effects
Levonorgestrel may have the following side effects:
- Menstrual irregularities
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Breast discomfort
- Gynecomastia
- Depression
- Skin disorders
- Disturbance of appetite
- Weight changes
- Fluid retention
- Edema
- Changes in libido
- Cholestatic jaundice
- Hair loss or hirsutism
- Benign intracranial hypertension
- Thrombocytopenic purpura
Potentially Fatal:
- Thrombocytopenia
- Stroke
Warnings
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- Rifampicin
- Phenytoin
- Carbamazepine
- Ritonavir
- Nevirapine
- Efavirenz
- Griseofulvin
- St. John’s Wort
Always notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Levonorgestrel.
How Does It Work?
Levonorgestrel is a nortestosterone derivative, an active isomer of norgestrel which is a potent inhibitor of ovulation with androgenic activity. It binds to progesterone and androgen receptors and slows the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, thereby resulting in the suppression of the normal physiological luteinizing hormone (LH) surge that precedes ovulation.
Uses
Levonorgestrel is used to treat the following conditions:
- Emergency contraception
- Menopausal HRT
Special Precautions and Connected Warnings
Take special precautions if you have the following conditions:
- Sex-steroid dependent cancer
- Past ectopic pregnancy
- Malabsorption syndromes
- Functional ovarian cysts
- Active liver disease
- Recurrent cholestatic jaundice
- History of jaundice in pregnancy
- CV or renal impairment
- Diabetes mellitus
- Asthma
- Epilepsy
- Migraine
- Conditions aggravated by fluid retention
- Depression
- Thromboembolism (high doses)
- Lactation
- Avoid alcohol
Storage Conditions
- Store at 20-25°C (68-77°F).
- Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
- Do not use Levonorgestrel that is expired or out of expiry date.