Levonelle (levonorgestrel) Tablets

When contraception fails or unprotected sex happens, having a reliable next step matters. Levonelle (Levonorgestrel) Tablets are a well-established emergency contraceptive taken as a single dose to reduce the risk of pregnancy. Recognised across the UK by patients and healthcare professionals alike, Levonelle 1500 mcg has been available as a pharmacy-supplied medicine for many years and forms part of the NHS guidance on emergency contraception. It contains levonorgestrel 1500 mcg and is taken orally as one tablet. At Pharmacy Planet, our registered pharmacists are ready to guide you through whether this medicine suits your situation, without judgement and without delay.

Levonelle 1500 mcg belongs to a category of medicines called progestogens. Its active ingredient, levonorgestrel, is a synthetic form of the naturally occurring hormone progesterone. It is a single-tablet emergency contraceptive taken by mouth, available from registered pharmacies across the UK without a doctor's prescription.

It is licensed for use by women and people who can become pregnant following unprotected sex or a failure of their regular contraceptive method. This includes situations such as a split condom, missed contraceptive pills, or a dislodged patch or ring.

Levonelle is a backup contraception option only. It is not designed to replace ongoing, routine contraception and should not be used regularly as a primary method. It carries no protection against sexually transmitted infections. If you are unsure whether Levonelle is the right option for your circumstances, your pharmacist at Pharmacy Planet will help you work through your options.

Levonelle works by acting on the hormonal signals that control ovulation. Levonorgestrel delays or inhibits the release of an egg from the ovary. When taken before ovulation occurs, this interruption means that sperm cannot fertilise an egg, and pregnancy is prevented.

There is also evidence from the product's Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) that levonorgestrel may alter the cervical mucus, making it thicker and harder for sperm to travel through. The SmPC also references possible effects on the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), although the clinical significance of this in preventing pregnancy has not been firmly established.

It is important to be clear about what Levonelle cannot do. It will not interrupt or end an established pregnancy in which a fertilised egg has already implanted. It is not an abortifacient. If you are already pregnant when you take Levonelle, it will not affect the developing pregnancy.

The timing of the dose is critical. Levonelle is most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Its window of licensed use is 72 hours (three days). Efficacy reduces with each passing hour, which is why prompt action matters.

Levonelle is taken as a single oral dose of one tablet. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. The tablet can be taken with or without food, and there is no requirement to take it at a specific time of day.

The most important factor is speed. Take the tablet as soon as you can after unprotected sex. Do not wait to see whether your period arrives on time before deciding to take it. Waiting reduces its effectiveness.

Follow these practical points when taking Levonelle:

1. Take one tablet as soon as possible after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.
2. The tablet must be taken within 72 hours. Do not take it after this window.
3. If you vomit within two hours of taking the tablet, contact your pharmacist. A replacement dose may be needed.
4. Do not take more than one tablet in response to the same episode of unprotected sex.
5. If you have additional unprotected sex after taking Levonelle, the tablet does not provide ongoing protection. Speak to your pharmacist.

After taking Levonelle, continue using your regular contraceptive method. However, if you use hormonal contraception such as the combined pill, the progestogen-only pill, or hormonal implant, the interaction between levonorgestrel and these methods means you should use additional barrier contraception (such as condoms) for at least seven days.

Speak to your pharmacist or GP if you have any further questions about resuming your regular contraceptive routine after taking this medicine.

Levonelle 1500 mcg

Levonelle is available in one strength: 1500 mcg levonorgestrel per tablet. The dose is always a single tablet taken as one oral dose. There are no alternative strengths, no split dosing schedules, and no repeat doses within the same licensed indication.

Each Levonelle pack contains one tablet. This is intentional. The entire 1500 mcg dose is delivered at once for maximum effectiveness within the 72-hour window. If you have had more than one episode of unprotected sex in the same menstrual cycle and have already taken Levonelle, consult your pharmacist before taking an additional dose.

Levonelle is licensed for use in women of childbearing potential. It is not licensed for use in girls under 16 years of age without healthcare professional advice, though no pharmacological reason for exclusion has been established. If you are under 16 and seeking emergency contraception, your pharmacist can advise you on the most appropriate pathway for your circumstances.

Side effects from Levonelle are generally short-lived and resolve within a few days. The following information is drawn from the current UK SmPC for Levonelle 1500 mcg. Not everyone will experience side effects.

Very Common Side Effects (affecting more than 1 in 10 people)

1. Nausea
2. Headache
3. Dizziness
4. Abdominal pain or cramps
5. Fatigue
6. Changes to menstrual bleeding (heavier, lighter, or irregular bleeding)

Common Side Effects (affecting 1 to 10 in 100 people)

1. Vomiting
2. Diarrhoea
3. Tender or painful breasts
4. Delayed or absent menstrual period

Your next period may arrive a few days earlier or later than usual. This is a normal and recognised effect of the levonorgestrel dose. If your period is more than five days late, or significantly lighter than you would expect, take a pregnancy test. If you are concerned about any symptom after taking Levonelle, contact your pharmacist or GP.

Important: This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. For the full list, including rare and very rare effects, refer to the Patient Information Leaflet included with your medication. Contact your pharmacist or a healthcare professional if you experience any symptoms that concern you.

Levonelle is suitable for most women and people who can become pregnant. However, there are circumstances in which it may not be the most appropriate choice, and your pharmacist will ask you a series of clinical questions during the consultation to identify any relevant factors.

Levonelle May Not Be Suitable If You

1. Are already pregnant or believe you may be pregnant.
2. Have severe hepatic (liver) impairment.
3. Have Crohn's disease or another condition that significantly affects intestinal absorption.
4. Have a known allergy or hypersensitivity to levonorgestrel or any of the ingredients listed in the Patient Information Leaflet.

Body Weight and Effectiveness

Clinical data referenced in the Levonelle SmPC and FSRH guidance indicate that levonorgestrel may be less effective in women with a higher body weight. If you weigh over 70 kg or have a BMI above 26, your pharmacist may discuss whether an alternative emergency contraceptive such as ulipristal acetate (ellaOne) or a copper IUD may offer you a higher level of protection.

Medicines That May Reduce Levonelle's Effectiveness

Several medicines, when taken alongside Levonelle, can reduce the amount of levonorgestrel absorbed into the bloodstream or increase its breakdown. These include:

1. Enzyme-inducing medicines: rifampicin, rifabutin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, topiramate, and oxcarbazepine.
2. HIV medicines: ritonavir, nelfinavir, nevirapine, and efavirenz.
3. Herbal supplements: St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum).

If you are taking any of these medicines, your pharmacist will advise on whether Levonelle remains appropriate or whether a copper IUD (the most effective emergency contraceptive option, regardless of body weight or interacting medicines) would offer better protection.

As a Pharmacy Medicine, Levonelle can only be supplied after a brief but important pharmacist consultation. This conversation is not a formality. It is the foundation of safe, appropriate supply. At Pharmacy Planet, every consultation is conducted with respect, discretion, and no judgement.

During the consultation, our pharmacist will ask you questions about your health, any medicines you currently take, the timing of unprotected sex, and your regular contraceptive use. These questions allow the pharmacist to make an informed clinical decision about whether Levonelle is appropriate for you specifically.

The outcome of the consultation determines whether Levonelle is the most suitable option for your situation. In some cases, the pharmacist may identify that a different emergency contraceptive option would offer you greater protection, and they will explain your alternatives clearly.

Whether you consult online or by telephone, you can expect a confidential experience. Our pharmacy team will not share your information outside of what is clinically necessary and required by law.

Store Levonelle at room temperature, below 25 degrees Celsius. Keep it in its original blister packaging to protect the tablet from moisture and light. Avoid storing it in the bathroom or in any damp environment, as humidity can affect the integrity of the tablet.

Keep Levonelle out of the reach and sight of children. Do not use the tablet after the expiry date printed on the packaging. If you have an expired or unused tablet, return it to your nearest pharmacy for safe disposal through the medicine take-back scheme. Do not place medicines in household waste or flush them down the sink or toilet.

Both morning after pills available at Pharmacy Planet are oral tablets, but they differ in important ways, particularly in their licensed time window, the active ingredient they contain, and how they perform in patients with a higher body weight. The table below compares these two tablet-based emergency contraceptives side by side so you can arrive at your pharmacist consultation with a clearer picture of your options.

Important: This comparison is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. A pharmacist or prescriber will determine which treatment is most appropriate for you based on your individual health, circumstances, and medicines. Always complete a consultation before taking any emergency contraceptive.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC-registered online pharmacy operating in full compliance with UK pharmacy law and professional standards. Every medicine supplied through our platform is sourced from licensed UK wholesalers, stored correctly, and dispensed by qualified, registered pharmacists.

We know that needing emergency contraception can be a stressful and time-sensitive experience. Our service is designed around you. Our online consultation is straightforward, confidential, and available when you need it. We will not make you feel rushed, judged, or uncomfortable at any point.

Our pharmacy team is also available to answer any follow-up questions after your consultation. Whether you want to understand more about your regular contraceptive options, ask about STI testing, or clarify anything about the medicine you have received, we are here to help.

Pharmacy Planet is committed to providing patient-centred pharmacy care that is safe, responsible, and rooted in clinical integrity.

1. Bayer plc. Levonelle 1500 microgram tablet – Summary of Product Characteristics. Electronic Medicines Compendium (emc). www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1100. Accessed June 2025.
2. NHS. Emergency contraception. www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/emergency-contraception. Accessed June 2025.
3. British National Formulary (BNF). Levonorgestrel. bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/levonorgestrel. Accessed June 2025.
4. Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH). Emergency Contraception: Clinical Effectiveness Unit Guideline. www.fsrh.org. Accessed June 2025.
5. MHRA. Levonorgestrel product information and safety data. www.gov.uk/government/organisations/medicines-and-healthcare-products-regulatory-agency. Accessed June 2025.