About Unwanted-72 Tablet
Unwanted-72 Tablet contains Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg. Levonorgestrel is an emergency contraceptive pill (the 'morning-after pill'). It is taken after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure, such as a split condom or missed pills, to lower the chance of pregnancy. It works best the sooner it is taken and must be taken within 72 hours (3 days). It is not meant for regular use and does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Uses of Unwanted-72 Tablet
- Emergency contraception within 72 hours of unprotected sex or contraceptive failure
Benefits
As emergency contraception
Taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex, it lowers the chance of pregnancy. It does not work every time, and it is less effective the longer you wait.
Side effects
Side effects are usually mild and pass within a few days. Your next period may come earlier or later than usual.
Common
- Nausea
- Lower stomach pain
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Breast tenderness
- Spotting or a change in the timing of your next period
Get medical help if you notice
- Severe lower stomach pain, especially on one side, a few weeks later — may be an ectopic pregnancy; seek emergency care
- Very heavy or prolonged bleeding — contact your doctor
- Allergic reaction: rash, swelling of the face or throat — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as directed, as soon as possible after unprotected sex — within 72 hours. Swallow the tablet with water, with or without food. If you vomit within 3 hours of taking it, speak to a doctor or pharmacist straight away, as you may need another dose.
How it works
Levonorgestrel is a man-made hormone similar to progesterone. It mainly works by stopping or delaying the release of an egg from the ovary. It does not end a pregnancy that has already started.
Safety advice
Alcohol Safe
No interaction known.
Pregnancy Unsafe
It must not be taken if you are already pregnant; it will not end an existing pregnancy. If it is taken by mistake in early pregnancy, available data have not shown harm to the baby.
Breastfeeding Caution
Small amounts pass into breast milk. Take it just after a feed and avoid breastfeeding for at least 8 hours afterwards, expressing and discarding milk if needed.
Driving Caution
It can occasionally cause dizziness or tiredness. Do not drive if you feel affected.
Kidney Consult your doctor
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have kidney disease.
Liver Caution
It is not recommended in severe liver disease. Ask your doctor.
If you miss a dose
This is a single dose. Take it as soon as possible after unprotected sex, within 72 hours. Do not delay. If you vomit within 3 hours, contact a doctor or pharmacist.
Quick tips
- The sooner you take it, the better it works.
- It is not a regular contraceptive — speak to a doctor about a regular method.
- Take a pregnancy test if your period is more than 7 days late or unusually light.
- It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
- If you take medicines for epilepsy, TB or HIV, or St John's wort, ask a doctor — it may work less well.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Synthetic progestogen (gonane)
- Therapeutic class
- Women's health / contraceptive
- Action class
- Progestogen emergency contraceptive
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Not required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, some HIV medicines (e.g. efavirenz) and St John's wort | Make it less effective; a doctor may advise a copper IUD or a different dose |
| Ulipristal acetate (another emergency pill) | They can cancel each other's effect; do not take both |
| Ciclosporin | Its level may rise |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); NICE BNF: levonorgestrel; FSRH clinical guideline: emergency contraception). Pharmacist review pending.