Levonorgestrel Overview

(LEE voe nor jes trel)

Mirena®; Next Choice™ [RX/OTC]; Plan B® One-Step [RX/OTC]; Plan B® [RX/OTC] [DSC]

Mirena®; Plan B®

Postinor-2

Contraceptive; Progestin

• This medicine does not protect against sexually-transmitted diseases.

• This medicine does not mix well with some medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.

• If you have an allergy to levonorgestrel or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

Mirena® (uterine device):

• If you have any of the following conditions: Active liver disease, blood clots, breast cancer, tumor where estrogen makes it grow, or unexplained vaginal bleeding.

• If you have any of the following conditions: Abnormal Pap smear, endometritis after delivery, infected abortion in the last 3 months, pelvic infection, pregnancy where fertilized egg was in an abnormal position, uterine or cervical tumor or growth, uterine fibroids, or untreated cervicitis or vaginitis.

• If you have an intrauterine device in place.

• If you or your partner have sex with more than one person.

• If your body's ability to fight infection is weakened.

• Levonorgestrel prevents or delays ovulation (egg release). It changes the environment so that sperm cannot fertilize the egg, rearranges the chemical balance seen in pregnancy, and prevents implantation of the fertilized egg.

• It thins the lining of the uterus.

Oral:

• This medicine should be started less than 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse.

• If you vomit within 2 hours of taking this medicine, take another dose.

Uterine device:

• The device is placed in your uterus. This will be done sometime during the first 7 days of your menstrual cycle or right after an abortion. This must be replaced every 5 years.

Oral:

• Call healthcare provider for instructions.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

All forms:

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• If you are diabetic, you will need to monitor blood sugars closely.

• Follow up with healthcare provider yearly.

Uterine device:

• Follow up with healthcare provider after using this medicine for 3 months.

• Store tablets at room temperature.

• Device will be inserted in a healthcare setting. You will not store at home.

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 13:34:47.0

Modified: 2010-05-25 11:44:01.0

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