• Confidential assessment
  • Reviewed by doctors
  • Same-day collection from your local pharmacy

Product features

  • Take within 72 hours (3 days) of having unprotected sex

  • Available for collection in over 700 pharmacies nationwide

  • Levonorgestrel is the active ingredient in the Levonelle branded morning after pill

What is levonorgestrel?

Levonorgestrel is a morning after pill that works the same way as the hormone progestogen. It’s the active ingredient in the branded morning after pill Levonelle.

Our clinicians can prescribe the right emergency contraception for your needs. Fill out a confidential online consultation and you collect Levonorgestrel from your local pharmacy. 

How does it work?

The levonorgestrel morning after pill works the same way as progestogen, a hormone our body produces naturally.

Just like the Levonelle pill, levonorgestrel is thought to work in two ways. It can prevent pregnancy by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulating). Or, if an egg has already been released, levonorgestrel stops sperm from reaching an egg to fertilise it.

While this emergency contraception is effective for up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, you should take it as soon as possible after intercourse.

How to use levonorgestrel

Take one levonorgestrel pill within 72 hours (3 days) of having unprotected sex.

Effectiveness

While you can take it up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex, the earlier you can take it, the more effective it can be. If taken:

  • within 24 hours it will prevent 95% of pregnancies
  • within 48 hours it will prevent 85% of pregnancies
  • within 72 hours it will prevent 58% of pregnancies

If you vomit within 3 hours of taking a levonorgestrel tablet, you should take another as soon as you can. We also recommend speaking to a medical professional.

If you take levonorgestrel and have unprotected sex afterwards, you won’t be protected from future pregnancies. 

If you are already taking a hormonal contraceptive, then this can be restarted immediately after taking Levonorgestrel, but it won't work straight away, and you will need to use a condom or not have sex for:

  • 7 days if you take the combined contraceptive pill, patch or ring
  • 9 days if you take Qlaira
  • 2 days if you are on the progesterone only (mini) pill

Side effects of levonorgestrel

As with all medications, you may experience side effects when taking Levonorgestrel. For around 1 in 10 women who take it, common side effects include:

  • Feeling sick (nausea)
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach pain (abdominal)
  • Headaches
  • Changes to your next period

After taking levonorgestrel if you get a missed or late period, and you experience any of these symptoms, you should take a pregnancy test.

For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the levonorgestrel patient information leaflet. And if you’re worried about side effects, please contact us in your Patient Record.  

Medication

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A clinician will review your answers and, if suitable, prescribe treatment

Prescription delivery

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Levonorgestrel FAQs

  • Levonorgestrel dosages 

    The standard levonorgestrel dose is 1.5 milligrams. You might need a double dose (3mg) if you:

    • weigh over 70kg
    • have a BMI over 26
    • are taking certain medications

    If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the morning after pill, you should always let your doctor know. It’s likely they’ll recommend taking another tablet.

  • Where can I buy Levonorgestrel?

    You can get levonorgestrel from your GP, pharmacies, contraception clinics and sexual health or GUM clinics.

    You can take a quick, confidential online consultation and get levonorgestrel prescribed by our clinicians. Collect from your local Well Pharmacy.

  • What to do if I get levonorgestrel side effects

    If you experience the more common side effects of levonorgestrel, you should be able to manage these at home. But if you notice any serious side effects, like an allergic reaction, you should speak to your doctor or go to A&E.

  • Levonorgestrel warnings

    You shouldn’t take levonorgestrel 1.5mg tablets if:

    • You have a disease of your small bowel (such as Crohn’s disease) that makes it hard to absorb the pill of the drug
    • You have severe liver problems
    • You have a history of ectopic pregnancy (where the baby develops outside the womb)
    • You have a history of fallopian tube inflammation (salpingitis)

    Taking a morning after pill like levonorgestrel can make your period earlier, later or heavier but it doesn’t stop your periods. If you’ve missed a period or it’s more than 7 days late, you should take a pregnancy test.

  • Levonorgestrel drug interactions

    As with all medications, levonorgestrel can interact with other medicines, including the contraceptive pill. So, we can prescribe it safely, you’ll need to let us know which prescription and over-the-counter medicines or recreational drugs you’re taking regularly.

  • Alternative levonorgestrel treatments

    If it’s been more than more than 72 hours since you’ve had unprotected sex, you shouldn’t take levonorgestrel.

    Instead, we recommend ellaOne. It can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Our clinicians can make sure it’s safe for you to take after a quick, confidential online consultation.

    An effective alternative to either pill is an intrauterine device (IUD), also called the copper coil. 

    The coil is fitted by a trained healthcare professional. To be effective it must be fitted within 5 days of unprotected sex. Once inserted, it stays in place for 5 to 10 years as a contraceptive. If you’re waiting to get the coil fitted and have unprotected sex we recommend taking the morning after pill.  

  • References

    https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/services/hiv-sexual-health/morning-after-pill

Collection information