Levonelle is an emergency contraceptive or ‘morning after pill’ that can be taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. It contains 1.5mg of levonorgestrel, a synthetic version of the female sex hormone, progesterone.

Levonelle can also be used if your usual contraception has failed. For example, you have missed a pill or a condom has split during sex.

The active ingredient in Levonelle, levonorgestrel, works by:

• stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation)
• preventing sperm from fertilising an already released egg

How long does Levonelle take to work?

Levonelle reaches its peak in the body in around 2 hours after it has been taken.

Levonelle is most effective if taken within 12 to 24 hours of unprotected sex, and the earlier it is taken the more effective it will be. Ideally, you should try and take Levonelle within 12 hours of having sex to get the maximum benefit.

How effective is Levonelle?

Levonelle 1.5mg tablets contain a synthetic hormone-like active substance called levonorgestrel. It can prevent about 84% of expected pregnancies when taken within 3 days of having unprotected sex.

“Levonelle does not always prevent pregnancy, but it is more effective if taken sooner. If possible, take it within 12 to 24 hours rather than delay until the third day. Taking it within 12 to 24 hours can increase the effectiveness to 97%.” - Dr Brenda Ikeji, Medical Editor.

Swallow 1 Levonelle pill whole with water. If you are taking regular contraception, like the oral contraceptive pill, continue to take this at the normal time.

Always take Levonelle exactly as you have been instructed to do so.

If you are taking any medication that may affect how Levonelle works, you may need to use a non-hormonal emergency contraception like the copper coil or take a double dose of Levonelle. Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist should advise you according to your personal circumstances and requirements.

When to take Levonelle

You should take Levonelle as soon as possible after unprotected sex or when you realise your usual form of contraception has failed. You can take Levonelle at any time during your menstrual cycle.

Take Levonelle as soon as you can but no later than 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex. The earlier you take Levonelle, the more effective it will be in protecting you from becoming pregnant.

How often can I take Levonelle?

Levonelle should only be used in emergencies where your contraceptive method has failed or you have had unprotected sex which could result in pregnancy. It is not intended to be used as a regular method of contraception.

If you use Levonelle more than once in a menstrual cycle, it will be less effective at preventing pregnancy. It’s also more likely to interrupt the pattern of your periods or cause a change in your bleeding, such as your next period being heavier or lighter than normal. If you need Levonelle more than once in a month, speak with your doctor about other contraceptive methods.

How long do you need to take Levonelle for?

Take Levonelle as you have been directed by your doctor or pharmacist. This will usually be 1 dose (1 pill). If you are sick (vomit) within 3 hours of taking it, you should immediately take another dose.

You can buy Levonelle over-the-counter in most pharmacies or you can buy Levonelle from reputable online services like Superdrug Online doctor.

Can I buy Levonelle online?

Yes, you can buy Levonelle from online doctor services, such as Superdrug Online Doctor.

All you need to do is:

1. Fill in an online health questionnaire for one of our doctors to review.
2. If our doctors feel Levonelle is suitable for you, your treatment will be approved.
3. Once approved, you can receive your order next day or collect from your local Superdrug Pharmacy 2 to 3 hours after doctor’s approval

Can I buy Levonelle over the counter?

Yes, you can buyLevonelle over-the-counter at most pharmacies. A pharmacist will ask you some questions about your health to determine if Levonelle is right for you. If it is, you will be able to get your medication straight away.

Can I buy Levonelle on the NHS?

Levonelle may be available on the NHS, but you will need to make an appointment with your GP. They will assess if Levonelle is a suitable morning after pill for you and if it is available, they will give you a prescription.

Levonelle may cause side effects in some people, but not everyone will experience them.

Very common Levonelle side effects (affecting more than 1 in 10 people) are:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• irregular bleeding until your next period
• tiredness
• headache
• lower tummy pain

Common Levonelle side effects (affecting up to 1 in 10 people) are:

• being sick (vomiting)
• period changes (heavier or lighter periods, irregular bleeding, earlier or later period)
• tender breasts
• diarrhoea
• dizziness

Very rare side effects (affecting up to 1 in 10,000 people) include:

• skin rash
• urticaria
• swollen face
• pelvic pain
• painful period
• pruritus (itching)

If your period is more than 5 days late or you have any abnormal bleeding around this time, you may be pregnant and should consider taking a pregnancy test.

How long do Levonelle side effects last?

Once you have taken a Levonelle pill, if you experience side effects, they should get better or go away within a few days. If they don’t or you are finding them difficult to manage, speak to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for advice.

What to do if you get Levonelle side effects

You may be able to treat mild side effects, like headaches or stomach cramps with over-the-counter medications like painkillers until they go away on their own.

If you are sick within 3 hours of taking Levonelle, you should take another straight away. You should also get plenty of rest and stay hydrated.

If you experience any side effects that you find difficult to manage or are concerned about, you should contact your doctor for advice.

Do not take Levonelle if you:

• are allergic to any of its ingredients
• think you might already be pregnant

Before taking Levonelle, you should tell your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have:

• any small bowel disease like Crohn’s
• severe liver problems
• ever had an ectopic pregnancy
• a history of inflamed fallopian tubes (salpingitis)

You should also let them know if you are taking any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications, including St John’s wort and anything used to treat:

• epilepsy
• tuberculosis
• fungal infections
• HIV

Levonelle and breastfeeding

When you take Levonelle, the active ingredient will enter your breast milk. So, you should take the tablet straight after a feed and avoid breastfeeding again for at least 8 hours. You should then drain your milk with a breast pump for 8 hours after taking a Levonelle pill. This will help to make sure only a small amount of the ingredient is passed on to your baby.

If Levonelle isn’t right for you, there are other emergency contraception options available, such as:

• Levonorgestrel – generic version of Levonelle and also the active ingredient in LoviOne
• ellaOne – 98% effective at preventing pregnancy and contains the active ingredient, ulipristal acetate
• copper coil – a small non-hormonal device that’s inserted into the vagina after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy and can be left in to be used as regular contraception

If you’re still unsure about whether Levonelle is the right choice for you, we break down the pros and cons across contraceptives, what makes a great contraceptive pill, and which one might be the best for you in our guide.

What if I vomit after taking Levonelle?

If you are sick within the first 3 hours of taking Levonelle, you should take another dose immediately. That’s because the original dose may not have been absorbed into your system, so there is still a chance you could become pregnant. If you’ve been sick after 3 hours, the medication should have had enough time to absorb and you don’t need to take a second dose.

Will Levonelle prevent STIs?

No, emergency contraception will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms will protect you against STIs.

What's the difference between ellaOne and Levonelle?

ellaOne contains a different active ingredient to Levonelle. It contains ulipristal acetate which attaches to the receptor which progesterone attaches to and delays ovulation. ellaOne can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex whereas Levonelle must be taken within 3 days. ellaOne is considered more effective than Levonelle but the sooner you take Levonelle the more effective it is.

How long after taking Levonelle will I bleed?

Most people will get their next period at their usual time. However, some people may get it a few days earlier or later than expected. If your period is more than 5 days late, there is a chance you could be pregnant. You should take a pregnancy test.

Can I take Levonelle twice in one cycle?

Ideally, you should only take the morning after pill once in a monthly cycle. If you take Levonelle more than once in a cycle, it is even less effective and can also increase the risk of irregular periods.

Will Levonelle work if I have sex again before my next period?

No, Levonelle won’t work if you have unprotected sex again before your next period. It does not continue to work until your next period so you’d need another pill or to use a condom to prevent pregnancy.

How long after taking Levonelle should I do a pregnancy test?

It is advisable to take a pregnancy test 3 weeks after you have had unprotected sex or taken emergency contraception.

Can I take Levonelle while using the contraceptive pill?

Yes, you can take Levonelle while you are taking your regular contraception. You should continue taking the pill at your usual time after you have taken Levonelle.

Does Levonelle work if you’ve already ovulated?

Levonelle may stop sperm from fertilising an egg that has already been released, but generally, it works by stopping or delaying ovulation.