Postinor

Active Ingredients

The pill contains:

Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg

Therapeutic group: Progestogens (female hormones).

Indications

Postinor is intended for the prevention of pregnancy for up to 72 hours (3 days) from having unplanned sexual intercourse without contraception or after rape or if it is suspected that the contraception used is insufficient.

Instructions

Treatment includes taking one pill.

The medicine is intended for the prevention of pregnancy when taken up to 72 hours (3 days) from having unprotected sexual intercourse. The closer Postinor is taken to the time of sexual intercourse, the greater the efficacy of the preparation, but, it is still not 100%. It is therefore advisable to take it within 12 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse. Do not delay taking Postinor. This medicine works better if taken as soon as possible.

Swallow the pill whole with water.

If you use contraceptive pills, you can continue taking them as usual.

If you had unprotected sexual intercourse after taking Postinor you are not protected and there is a chance of becoming pregnant.

Use Postinor as emergency contraception only and not as routine contraception. If you use Postinor more than once in a menstrual cycle, the risk of disrupting the cycle increases.

If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the pill, you should take another pill and refer to the doctor. If you vomit the additional pill within 3 hours of taking it, do not take another pill, refer to the doctor.

If you want to have sexual intercourse after using Postinor, you should use barrier contraception such as a condom or diaphragm. If you are using contraceptive pills you can continue taking them as usual but use an additional contraceptive method as mentioned above.

If you continue using contraceptive pills and do not get your period after finishing the pack, refer to the doctor to ascertain that you are not pregnant.

If your period is more than 5 days late or if your period is lighter or heavier than usual, refer to the doctor as soon as possible.

If you are pregnant despite using the medicine, refer to the doctor immediately to rule out an ectopic pregnancy.

After taking the pill it is advisable to make an appointment with the doctor and consult with him regarding contraceptives for long-term use that are more effective than this medicine in preventing pregnancy.

After taking Postinor, generally your next period will start on its due date, but sometimes the period will arrive earlier or later than expected. If your period is more than 5 days late or if the bleeding is different than usual, you should refer to the doctor to rule out pregnancy.

Breastfeeding:You may breastfeed. A very small amount of the medicine, considered unharmful to the baby, is secreted into the breast milk. Therefore, the medicine should be taken immediately after breastfeeding and afterwards, breastfeeding should be avoided for 8 hours. (The milk that accumulates between the two feedings should be expressed and discarded)

Warnings

This medicine is intended for females above the age of 16. If you are younger than this age you should consult the doctor before starting treatment. If you have started treatment without such consultation, refer to the doctor as soon as possible. You must use this medicine correctly. If you need further information, consult the pharmacist.

If you are sensitive (allergic) to the active ingredient Levonorgestrel or to any other ingredient included in the medicine do not use it.

Do not use if more than 72 hours have passed since having unprotected sexual intercourse.

Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant.

According to the scientific literature there is no association between emergency contraception and thrombosis. Nevertheless, it is known that use of routine contraceptives containing progestins (the group of hormones to which Levonorgestrel belongs) may cause incidents of thrombosis.

If you are taking or have recently taken other medicines including non-prescription medicines and food supplements, tell the doctor or pharmacist. Especially inform the doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the following medicines, since they may impair the efficacy of Postinor:

Barbiturates or other medicines for the treatment of epilepsy (e.g., primidone, phenytoin and carbamazepine)

Anti-tuberculosis medicines (e.g., rifampicin and rifabutin)

Anti-AIDS medicines (e.g., ritonavir)

Anti-fungal medicines (e.g., griseofulvin)

Herbal medicines containing Hypericum (St. John’s wort)

Cyclosporine (a medicine that suppresses your immune system).

Please do not consider this information as an alternative to consulting your physician or pharmacist.

For further information on instructions for use, risks and side effects, please read the patient package insert and consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Read the patient package insert carefully before starting to take any medication.