THE MORNING-AFTER PILL (POST-COITAL EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILL)

Overview

The "morning-after pill" is a progesterone-only medicine designed to stop pregnancy after unprotected sex.

The emergency pills contain levonorgestrel (progesterone). This progesterone-only method of emergency contraception is more effective and better tolerated than the conventional "Yupze" method (combined oestrogen and progesterone pills).

The levonorgestrel pills should be taken as soon as possible (preferably within 12 hours) to be the most effective, but can be taken up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex.

Although Levonorgestrel may be used between 72 and 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex, it is not licensed for such use and is less effective than an IUD.

In the UK, the emergency contraceptive pill is called Levonelle and is available as an over-the-counter medicine.

Dose

As an emergency contraceptive, Levonorgestrel is taken as two pills (0.75 mg each) in a single dose.

If vomiting occurs within 3 hours of taking the dose, a replacement dose can be given.

Contraindications

This medicine should not be taken by people with porphyria.

Side effects

Side-effects are uncommon, but may include nausea, lower abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, dizziness, breast tenderness or vomiting.

The next menstrual period may be early or late after taking this medicine. A barrier method of contraception should be used until the next period.