Levonorgestrel (Emergency Contraception)

SPC source: Levonorgestrel 1.5mg Tablets. If vomiting occurs within three hours of taking the tablet, another tablet should be taken immediately. ENZYME INDUCERS: women who have used enzyme-inducing drugs during the last 4 weeks and need emergency contraception are recommended to use a non-hormonal emergency contraceptive (i.e. Cu-IUD), or to take a double dose of levonorgestrel (i.e. 2 tablets taken together) if unable or unwilling to use a Cu-IUD. Can be used at any time during the menstrual cycle unless menstrual bleeding is overdue. After use, a local barrier method (condom, diaphragm, spermicide, cervical cap) is recommended until the next menstrual period starts; use does not contraindicate continuation of regular hormonal contraception. Repeated administration within a menstrual cycle is not advisable because of the possibility of cycle disturbance. Treatment following a second act of intercourse in the same cycle, or more than 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, may be ineffective. If menstrual periods are delayed by more than 5 days, or abnormal bleeding occurs at the expected date, or pregnancy is suspected for any other reason, pregnancy should be excluded; consider ectopic pregnancy if pregnancy occurs after treatment. Limited and inconclusive data suggest there may be reduced efficacy with increasing body weight or BMI, but in all women emergency contraception should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse regardless of body weight or BMI. Emergency contraception is an occasional method and should in no instance replace a regular contraceptive method, and does not replace precautions against sexually transmitted diseases. PAEDIATRIC: 'There is no relevant use of levonorgestrel for children of prepubertal age in the indication emergency contraception.' No weight-based paediatric dose is stated - the single 1.5 mg tablet regimen is the only posology given.