LEVONORGESTREL - ORAL
Common Brand Name(s): Plan B
Phonetic Pronunciation: (lee-voh-nor-JEST-rell)
Information last revised May 2010
What does LEVONORGESTREL ORAL look like?
Plan B 0.75 mg Tab
Next Choice 0.75 mg Tab
Uses:
This medication is used in women to prevent pregnancy after birth control failure (e.g., 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 (e.g., HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia). This medication should not be used as a regular form of birth control.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, contact your doctor immediately.
How To Use
Take 1 tablet by mouth as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Take the second tablet by mouth 12 hours after taking the first dose. This medication may be taken with or without food. This medication works best when it is taken within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex. In some cases, your doctor may instruct you to take both tablets at once. Take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you vomit within 1 hour of taking either dose of the 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. Notify your doctor immediately if your period is more than 7 days late. You may need to take a pregnancy test.
Drug Interactions
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: sodium tetradecyl sulfate. If you are currently using the medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this medication. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medications you may use, especially of: amprenavir, drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove levonorgestrel from your body (such as bosentan, modafinil, nevirapine, HIV protease inhibitors including ritonavir, griseofulvin, rifamycins including rifabutin, St. John's wort, certain anti-seizure medicines including carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital), troleandomycin. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents should call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents should call their provincial poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe nausea/vomiting.
Precautions
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other progestins (e.g., 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. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this product, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: unexplained vaginal bleeding, current or suspected pregnancy. Before using this product, tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: 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.
Storage
Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines 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 product.
Side Effects
Nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, tiredness, dizziness, changes in vaginal bleeding, breast tenderness, diarrhea, 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 any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: lower abdominal pain. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: 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.
This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
The information contained in the First DataBank databases is intended to supplement the knowledge of physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals regarding drug therapy problems and patient counselling information. This information is advisory only and is not intended to replace sound clinical judgment in the delivery of healthcare services. First DataBank disclaims all warranties, whether expressed or implied, including any warranty as to the quality, accuracy, and suitability of this information for any purpose.
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