LoviOne is an emergency contraceptive pill also known as the morning after pill. It contains a man-made version of the female sex hormone progesterone.

LoviOne protects against pregnancy after unprotected sex or when other contraceptive methods have failed. Each LoviOne pill contains 1.5mg of the progesterone, levonorgestrel.

LoviOne can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, but is most effective when it is taken within 24 hours.

LoviOne contains a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone called levonorgestrel. It works to prevent pregnancy by:

• delaying or stopping ovulation (releasing an egg from an ovary)
• stopping sperm from fertilising an egg that has already been released

How long does LoviOne take to work?

LoviOne is most effective as a morning after pill when it is taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex, but it can be taken up to 3 days after.

The active ingredient in LoviOne, levonorgestrel, is rapidly absorbed by the body and reaches its peak within 2 hours of taking it.

How effective is LoviOne?

LoviOne is up to 95% effective if taken correctly and within 24 hours. If LoviOne is taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, it can prevent up to 84% of unwanted pregnancies.

Always take LoviOne exactly as you have been prescribed.

When taking LoviOne:

1. Take the pill as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours but up to 72 hours after unprotected sex.
2. Take it at any time during your menstrual cycle as long as you are not already pregnant.
3. Swallow one LoviOne pill whole with water.
4. If you are using a regular contraceptive method, like the contraceptive pill, continue taking this as normal.

When to take LoviOne

Take LoviOne as soon as you can after having unprotected sex. LoviOne is most effective in the first 24 hours after having unprotected sex. However, you can take it up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex but it will not work after this time.

How often to take LoviOne

Like other morning after pills, LoviOne should only be used in emergencies and not as a regular contraceptive method. Morning after pills should not be used too often, otherwise they can disrupt your periods.

If you use LoviOne more than once in a menstrual cycle, it will be less effective and is likely to upset your cycle. If you need to use LoviOne more than once in a menstrual cycle, speak to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about long-term contraceptive methods, like the contraceptive pill.

How long do you need to take LoviOne for?

LoviOne is not a regular form of contraception and should only be used in emergencies. You will only need to take 1 LoviOne pill unless you are advised otherwise by your doctor or pharmacist.

You can buy LoviOne over-the-counter at selected pharmacies. You can also buy LoviOne from a trusted, reputable online service like Superdrug Online Doctor.

Can I buy LoviOne online?

Yes, you can buy LoviOne online.

You can obtain LoviOne from Superdrug Online Doctor using our quick and discreet service by:

• completing an online health questionnaire
• one of our doctors will review your request to see if your chosen medication is right for you
• if approved, you can choose to have your medication sent by post or collect it from a Superdrug Pharmacy in as little as 2 to 3 hours

Can I buy LoviOne over the counter?

Yes, LoviOne is available over-the-counter at pharmacies. The pharmacist will ask you a few questions privately to make sure the medication is right for you.

Can I get LoviOne on the NHS?

You may be able to get LoviOne on the NHS, but you will need to make an appointment with your doctor, so they can assess if it is suitable for you.

Like all medications, LoviOne can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them.

Very common side effects that may affect more than 1 in 10 people:

• irregular bleeding
• lower abdominal pain
• feeling sick (nausea)
• tiredness
• headaches

Common side effects that may affect 1 in 10 people:

• being sick (vomiting)
• later or earlier period than usual
• Irregular bleeding, spotting or a heavier or lighter period
• tender breasts
• dizziness
• diarrhoea

Very rare side effects that may affect 1 in 10,000 people:

• swollen face
• rash
• pelvic pain
• painful period
• abdominal pain
• urticaria
• pruritus

How long do LoviOne side effects last?

If you do experience side effects from LoviOne they should go away on their own within a few hours.

What to do if you get LoviOne side effects

Mild side effects, like abdominal pain or headaches, can usually be treated with over-the-counter painkillers until they go away on their own.

If you are sick within 3 hours of taking LoviOne, you’ll need to take another one straight away because it may not have been absorbed into your system.

You should report any side effects to your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you are concerned or find them difficult to manage.

Do not take LoviOne if you:

• are allergic to any of its ingredients
• are pregnant or think you might be pregnant
• have any small bowel disease like Crohn’s
• have severe liver problems
• have a history of ectopic pregnancies where the baby develops outside of the womb
• have ever suffered from salpingitis (inflamed fallopian tubes)

Before taking LoviOne, let your doctor or pharmacist know if you are taking any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications, like St John’s wort, including those used to treat:

• epilepsy
• tuberculosis
• HIV
• fungal infections

LoviOne is not the only emergency contraception option available. Alternatives include:

• levonorgestrel – generic version of LoviOne and Levonelle
• Levonelle – branded version of levonorgestrel, which contains the same active ingredient as 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

What if I vomit after taking LoviOne?

If you are sick within 3 hours of taking LoviOne, you should take another tablet straight away because the original one is unlikely to have been absorbed into your system.

Will LoviOne prevent STIs?

No, LoviOne will not stop you getting a sexually transmitted infection. Condoms are the only type of contraception that can prevent pregnancy and protect against STIs.

How long after taking LoviOne will I bleed?

After you have taken LoviOne, your next period is usually normal and on time. However, some women find their period may be a little later or earlier than usual. If your period is more than 5 days late or you experience abnormal bleeding, you should take a pregnancy test.

Can I take LoviOne twice in one cycle?

You can use LoviOne twice in one cycle, but you should avoid this if possible. Frequent use of emergency contraception like LoviOne is likely to disrupt your menstrual cycle. If you find you need to use LoviOne more than once during a menstrual cycle, you should speak to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about long-term contraception.

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

No, LoviOne won’t be effective if you have unprotected sex again after you have taken it, even if it is in the same menstrual cycle.

If you want to have sex again after taking LoviOne and you are not taking the contraceptive pill, you should use a condom or a cap and spermicide until you have your next period.

Can I take LoviOne while breastfeeding?

Yes, but some of the active ingredient (levonorgestrel) will pass into your breastmilk. So, it is advisable to take LoviOne immediately after breastfeeding and avoid nursing for the following 8 hours. You should then drain your milk with a breast pump for 8 hours after taking a LoviOne pill. This will help to reduce the amount of active ingredient your baby may be exposed to.

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

We recommend taking a pregnancy test 3 weeks after using LoviOne. You should also take a pregnancy test if your period is more than 5 days late after taking LoviOne.

Can I take LoviOne while using the contraceptive pill?

Yes, you should continue to take the contraceptive pill as usual after using LoviOne.

Does LoviOne work if you’ve already ovulated?

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