Postinor 1.5 mg Tablet of Levonorgestrel
What Is Postinor And What Postinor Used For?
Postinor is an emergency contraceptive pill that can be used within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected intercourse or if a used contraceptive method has failed.
It can be used on the following occasions:
- No contraceptive was used during intercourse.
- The contraceptive was used incorrectly, e.g., if a condom broke, slipped off, or was used incorrectly if a diaphragm changed position, ruptured, broke, or was removed prematurely if concerns about the failure of interrupted intercourse (e.g., ejaculation in the vagina or on external genitalia).
Postinor contains a synthetic hormone-like active substance called levonorgestrel. It prevents about 85% of expected pregnancies when the tablet is taken within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected intercourse.
Postinor does not prevent a pregnancy every time, but the tablet is more effective the earlier after unprotected intercourse it is taken. It is better to take it within 12 hours than to wait until the third day.
Postinor is assumed to operate by:
- Prevent ovulation
- Prevent the sperm from fertilizing an egg that has already been released.
Postinor can only prevent you from getting pregnant if you take it within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. It does not work if you are already pregnant. Suppose you have had unprotected intercourse after taking this medicine (even if it happens within the same menstrual cycle).
In that case, the tablet does not have a preventive effect, and there is a risk that you will become pregnant again. Postinor is not intended for use before the first menstrual period.
What You Need To Know Before Taking Postinor?
Do Not Take Postinor:
- If you are allergic to levonorgestrel or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Warnings And Cautions:
If any of the following apply to you, tell your doctor before taking this medicine, as emergency contraceptive pills may not suit you. Your doctor may prescribe another type of emergency contraceptive.
- Ask your doctor if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. This medicine does not work if you are already pregnant. If you are already pregnant, Postinor can not terminate an ongoing pregnancy. Postinor is thus not an “abortion pill.”
You may already be pregnant if:
- Your period is more than 5 days delayed, or abnormal bleeding occurs at the expected time of the next period
- You have had unprotected intercourse more than 72 hours before and since your last menstrual period.
Postinor should not be used if:
- You have an intestinal disease (e.g., Crohn’s disease ) that inhibits the absorption of the drug
- You have severe liver problems
- You have previously had an ectopic pregnancy (where the fetus develops outside the womb)
- You have had ovarian inflammation (salpingitis).
Previous ectopic pregnancy or fallopian tube inflammation increases the risk of a new ectopic pregnancy. Acute – birth control pills should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse. This applies to all women.
There is some evidence that the effect of this medicine may decrease with increasing body weight or body mass index ( BMI ), but these data are limited and incomplete. Therefore, regardless of weight and BMI, Postinor is still recommended for all women.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any thoughts about any problems related to using emergency contraceptive pills.
Children And Young People:
This medicine is not intended for use before the first menstrual period.
If you are worried about sexually transmitted diseases
If you did not use a condom (or if it broke or slipped) during intercourse, you may have been infected with a sexually transmitted disease or HIV.
Postinor does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases; only condoms can do that. Ask your doctor, nurse, contraceptive clinic, or pharmacist if you have any further questions.
Other Medicines And Postinor:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take other medicines. Some medicines can stop Postinor from working effectively. If you have been taking any of the medicines below for the past 4 weeks, this medicine may be less suitable.
Your doctor may prescribe another type of (non-hormonal) emergency contraceptive, i.e., copper coil. If this is not an option for you or if you do not have the opportunity to see a doctor immediately, you can take a double dose of this medicine:
- Barbiturates and other antiepileptic medicines (e.g., primidone, phenytoin, and carbamazepine)
- Drugs against tuberculosis (e.g., rifampicin, rifabutin)
- Treatment of HIV (ritonavir, efavirenz)
- Medicines for fungal infections (griseofulvin)
- (Traditional) herbal medicines containing St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum).
Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you need further advice on the right dose. After taking the tablets, consult your doctor as soon as possible for further advice on reliable, common contraceptives and to rule out pregnancy. (See section 3, “How to take Postinor,” for further advice).
Postinor may also affect the effectiveness of other medicines
- A drug called cyclosporin (which suppresses the immune system).
How Often Can Postinor Be Taken?
This medicine should only be used as an emergency measure and not as a regular method of contraception. If this medicine is used more than once during a menstrual cycle, it becomes less reliable and will likely disrupt the menstrual cycle.
Postinor dose does not work as well as regular contraceptive methods. You can get information from a doctor, reception nurse, or contraceptive clinic about long-term contraceptive methods that prevent pregnancy more effectively.
Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, And Fertility:
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Pregnancy
You should not take this medicine if you are already pregnant. If you become pregnant even though you have taken this medicine, you must consult a doctor.
There is no evidence that this medicine harms a fetus if Postinor is used as directed. Despite this, the doctor may want to rule out an ectopic pregnancy (where the fetus develops outside the uterus).
It is especially important if you get severe stomach pain after taking this medicine or if you have previously had an ectopic pregnancy, surgery on the fallopian tubes, or inflammatory conditions in the pelvis.
Breast-feeding
The active substance in this medicine passes into breast milk. Therefore, it is recommended that you take the tablet immediately after a breastfeeding session and then avoid breastfeeding for at least 8 hours thereafter. Pump out the milk with a breast pump for 8 hours after taking the tablet.
In this way, you take the tablet well before the next breastfeeding session and reduce the amount of active substance that can be transferred to the baby via breast milk.
Fertility
Postinor dose increase the risk of disorders in the menstrual cycle, which can sometimes lead to earlier or later ovulation dates and thus change the fertile days. There are no long-term data on fertility, but after treatment with this medicine, a rapid return to fertility is expected. Therefore, the usual method of contraception should be resumed or initiated as soon as possible after using this medicine.
Driving And Using Machines:
Postinor is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, avoid driving or using machines if you feel tired or dizzy.
You are responsible for assessing whether you can drive a motor vehicle or perform work requiring sharpened attention. One of the factors that can affect your ability in these respects is the use of drugs due to their effects and side effects.
Descriptions of these effects and side effects can be found in other sections. Read all the information in this leaflet for guidance. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Postinor Contains Lactose:
If you are intolerant to lactose ( lactose ), you should know that each Postinor pill contains 142.5 mg of lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
How To Take Postinor?
Always use this medicine as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.
| Take the tablet as soon as possible, preferably within 12 hours and no later than 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected intercourse. Do not delay ingestion of the tablet. The tablet works better the faster you take it after unprotected intercourse. It can only prevent a pregnancy if you take it within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. |
- Postinor can be taken any time during the menstrual cycle, provided you are not already pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant. Do not chew the tablet but swallow it whole with water.
- If you are taking any medicine that may prevent Postinor from working properly (see section “Other medicines and Postinor” above) or if you have used any of these medicines in the last 4 weeks, Postinor may be less effective. Your doctor may prescribe another type of (non-hormonal) emergency contraceptive, i.e., copper coil. If this is not an option for you or you do not have the opportunity to see a doctor immediately, you can take a double dose of Postinor (i.e., 2 tablets simultaneously).
- If you already use a common method of contraception, e.g., birth control pills, you can continue to take these at the usual time.
If you have had unprotected intercourse after taking Postinor (even if it happens within the same menstrual cycle), the tablet does not give the same preventive effect and you are at risk of becoming pregnant.
What To Do If You Vomit?
If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the tablet, take a new tablet immediately.
After taking Postinor:
If you want to have intercourse after taking Postinor and do not use birth control pills, you should use condoms or pessaries combined with spermicides until your next period. The reason for this is that this medicine does not work if you have unprotected intercourse again before you have your next period.
After taking Postinor, you should make an appointment with a doctor about three weeks later to check that Postinor has worked. If your period is more than 5 days late, or if it is unusually light or unusually abundant, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.
If you become pregnant even though you have taken this medicine, you must consult a doctor. You can get information from your doctor about long-term contraceptive methods that prevent pregnancy more effectively.
If you continue to use a regular hormonal contraceptive such as birth control pills and you do not get any bleeding during the break, you should see a doctor check that you are not pregnant.
Your next period after taking Postinor
After taking Postinor, menstruation is usually normal and starts when it should, but sometimes it can come a few days too late or too early. If your period is more than 5 days late, if abnormal bleeding occurs at the expected time of your period, or if pregnancy is suspected, you should have a pregnancy test.
If You Use More Postinor Rhan, You Should
There are no reports of serious side effects in women who have taken too many pills at one time. If you have taken several tablets at once, you may experience the following:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Vaginal bleeding
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, receptionist, or contraceptive clinic for advice if you are worried, especially if you vomit because the pill may not have worked properly.
If you have ingested too much medicine or if e.g. If a child has ingested the medicine by mistake, contact a doctor or hospital for risk assessment and advice. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about using this product.
Possible Side Effects Of postinor:
This medicine can cause side effects like all medicines, although not everybody gets them.
Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 user in 10):
Common postinor side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- Vomiting. If you vomit, read the section “What to do if you vomit.”
- Menstruation may be different. Most women have a normal menstrual period at the expected time, but some menstruate later or earlier than normal. You may also have irregular bleeding or spotting before the next period. If your period is more than 5 days late, or if it is unusually light or unusually abundant, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.
- You may get chest tightness, diarrhea, or dizziness after taking this medicine.
Very rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):
- Rash
- Hives
- Itching
- Swelling of the face
- Pelvic pain
- Painful menstruation
How To Store Postinor?
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
- Do not use this medicine after the expiry date on the carton after EXP. The expiration date is the last day of the specified month.
- Store in the original package. Sensitive to light.
- Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Contents Of The Pack And Other Information:
Content Declaration
- The active substance is levonorgestrel. Each tablet contains 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel.
- Other ingredients are:
- Potato starch
- Corn starch
- Silica ( colloidal, anhydrous)
- Magnesium stearate
- Talc
- Lactose monohydrate
What The Medicine Looks Like And The Contents Of The Pack?
- Tablet: Almost white, flat tablet with an edge, about 8 mm in size, and embossed with the text “G00” on one side.
- Packaging: a tablet in PVC // aluminum blister in a box.
Marketing Authorization Holder And Manufacturer
Gedeon Richter Plc.
Gyömrői út 19-21, 1103 Budapest, Hungary
This medicinal product is authorized under the European Economic Area under the names:
Austria: Postinor
Belgium: Postinor 1500
Czech Republic: Escapelle
France: Levonorgestrel Biogaran
Germany: Postinor
Greece: Postinor 1500
Iceland: Postinor
Ireland: Ramona
Italy: Escapelle
Lithuania: Escapelle
Luxembourg: Postinor
Netherlands: Postinor
Norway: Postinor
Poland: Escapelle
Portugal: Postinor
Spain: Postinor
Sweden: Postinor
United Kingdom: Levonelle 1500