Product Use
Levonelle One Step is an emergency contraceptive that can be used within 72 hours (3 days) of
unprotected sex or if your usual contraceptive method has failed.
Levonelle One Step contains a synthetic hormone like substance called levonorgestrel. It prevents
about 84% of expected pregnancies when you take it within 72 hours of having unprotected sex. It
will not prevent a pregnancy every time and is more effective if you take it as soon as possible after
unprotected sex. It is better to take it within 12 hours rather than delay until the third day.
Levonelle One Step is thought to work by:
– stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg;
– preventing sperm from fertilising any egg you may have already released.
Levonelle One Step can only prevent you becoming pregnant if you take it within 72 hours of
unprotected sex. It does not work if you are already pregnant. If you have unprotected sex after taking
Levonelle One Step, it will not stop you from becoming pregnant.
Levonelle One Step is not indicated for use before the first menstrual bleeding (menarche).
Levonelle One Step is not recommended for young women under 16 years of age
Instructions
Take the tablet as soon as possible, preferably within 12 hours, and no later than 72 hours (3 days)
after you have had unprotected sex. Do not delay taking the tablet. The tablet works best the sooner
you take it after having unprotected sex. It can only prevent you becoming pregnant, if you take it
within 72 hours of unprotected sex.
Levonelle One Step can be taken at any time in your menstrual cycle assuming you are not already
pregnant or think you may be pregnant. Do not chew but swallow the tablet whole with water.
• If you are using one of the medicines that may prevent Levonelle One Step from working
properly or if you have used
one of these medicines in the past 4 weeks, Levonelle One Step may work less effectively for
you. Your doctor may prescribe another type of (non-hormonal) emergency contraceptive, i.e. a
copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD). If this is not an option for you or if you are unable to see
your doctor promptly, you can take a double dose of Levonelle One Step (i.e. 2 tablets taken
together at the same time).
• If you are already using a regular method of contraception such as the contraceptive pill, you
can continue to take this at your regular times.
If another unprotected intercourse takes place after the use of Levonelle One Step (also if this is
during the same menstrual cycle), the tablet will not exert its contraceptive effect and there is again
the risk of pregnancy.
Always use this medicine exactly as described in the leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told
you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Use in children and adolescents
Levonelle One Step is not indicated for use before the first menstrual bleeding (menarche).
Cautions
Do not use Levonelle One Step:
– if you are allergic to levonorgestrel or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
Warnings and precautions
If any of the following applies to you, talk to your doctor before taking Levonelle One Step as
emergency contraception may not be suitable for you. Your doctor may prescribe another type of
emergency contraception for you.
– If you are pregnant or think that you may already be pregnant. This medicine will not work if
you are already pregnant. If you are already pregnant, Levonelle One Step cannot terminate
pregnancy, so Levonelle One Step is not an “abortion pill”.
You may already be pregnant if:
– your period is more than 5 days late, or you have experienced unusual bleeding when
your next period is due
– you have had unprotected sex more than 72 hours ago, and since your last period.
Children and adolescents
Levonelle One Step is not recommended for young women under 16 years of age. If you are under 16,
you must visit your doctor or family planning clinic to get emergency contraception.
The use of Levonelle One Step is not advised if:
– you have a disease of your small bowel (such as Crohn’s disease) that inhibits the absorption of
the drug
– you have severe liver problems
– you have a history of ectopic pregnancy (where the baby develops somewhere outside the
womb)
– you have ever had a disease called salpingitis (inflammation of the Fallopian tubes).
A previous ectopic pregnancy or previous infection of the fallopian tubes increases the risk of a new
ectopic pregnancy.
Your doctor may decide that Levonelle One Step is not suitable for you, or that another type of
emergency contraception would be better for you.
In all women, emergency contraception should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected
intercourse. There is some evidence that Levonelle One Step may be less effective with increasing
body weight or body mass index (BMI), but these data were limited and inconclusive. Therefore,
Levonelle One Step is still recommended for all women regardless of their weight or BMI.
You are advised to speak to a healthcare professional if you are concerned about any problems related
to taking emergency contraception.
Ingredients
The active substance is levonorgestrel. One tablet contains 1500 micrograms of levonorgestrel.
The other ingredients are potato starch, maize starch, colloidal silica anhydrous, magnesium stearate,
talc, lactose monohydrate.
