This medication is used by women to prevent pregnancy after birth control failure (such as a broken condom) or unprotected sex. It is a progestin hormone that prevents pregnancy by preventing the release of an egg (ovulation) and changing the womb and cervical mucus to make it more difficult for an egg to meet sperm (fertilization) or attach to the wall of the womb (implantation).

Using this medication will not stop an existing pregnancy or protect you against sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia).

This medication should not be used as a regular form of birth control.

Take 1 tablet by mouth as soon as possible after unprotected sex. This medication works best when it is taken within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex. Take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

If you vomit within 2 hours of taking this medication, contact your doctor to discuss whether you need to repeat the dose.

The amount and timing of your period may be irregular after taking this medication. Tell your doctor immediately if your period is more than 7 days late. You may need to take a pregnancy test.

Nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, tiredness, dizziness, changes in vaginal bleeding, breast tenderness, or headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if this rare but serious side effect occurs: lower abdominal pain.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking levonorgestrel, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other progestins (such as norethindrone); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: unexplained vaginal bleeding, current or suspected pregnancy, diabetes, migraine headaches.

This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

If you have diabetes, this medication may make it harder to control your blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood sugar regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor the results and any symptoms such as increased thirst/urination. Your anti-diabetic medication or diet may need to be adjusted.

This medication should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.

This medication passes into breast milk. Though there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. These drug interactions are possible, but do not always occur. Your doctor or pharmacist can often prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring.

To help your doctor and pharmacist give you the best care, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with this product. While using this product, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any other medicines you are using without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove levonorgestrel from your body (such as bosentan, griseofulvin, modafinil, nevirapine, St. John's wort, HIV protease inhibitors including ritonavir, amprenavir, rifamycins including rifabutin, anti-seizure medicines including carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital).

This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist to lessen your risk for serious medication problems.

Overdose with this medication is very unlikely. However, if overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe nausea/vomiting.

Do not share this medication with others.

Not applicable.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your medication.

Information last revised March 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.