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| Pronunciation |
|
 (LEE
voe nor jes
trel) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Mirena®; Norplant® Implant; Plan
B™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Contraceptive |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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- This medicine does not protect you from getting any infections
passed on through sex. This includes HIV infection which causes
AIDS.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to levonorgestrel or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Vaginal bleeding of an
unknown cause, breast cancer, a history of blood clots, a tumor where estrogen
makes it grow, active liver disease, bleeding problems.
- If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. Other product
specific reasons not to take:
- Norplant® (capsules placed under the skin)
- If you have a history of intracranial high blood pressure.
- Mirena® (uterine device)
- If you have any of the following conditions: Pelvic infection called
pelvic inflammatory disease, endometritis after delivery, infected abortion in
the past 3 months, uterine or cervical tumor or growth, uterine fibroids,
abnormal Pap smear, untreated cervicitis or vaginitis, pregnancy where
fertilized egg was in an abnormal position (ectopic pregnancy).
- If you have an IUD in place.
- If you have more than 1 person you have sex with or if your partner
has sex with more than 1 person.
- If you are very likely to get infections. Some diseases like leukemia
and AIDS may make you more likely to get infections. If you abuse intravenous
drugs you may be more likely to get
infections.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine is used to prevent pregnancy. The implant system
(capsules placed under the skin) and the uterine device are long-term (5 year)
methods used to prevent pregnancy.
- The tablets are used as an emergency measure to prevent pregnancy. It
is used when you have had unprotected sex and could get
pregnant.
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| How does it work? |
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- 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.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Oral:
- Must be started less than 72 hours after unprotected sex. Take 1
tablet now and then 1 tablet 12 hours after the first tablet.
- Capsules under the skin:
- Six capsules are placed under the skin in the upper arm. This is a
minor surgery. Your healthcare provider will do this within the first 7 days of
your menstrual cycle. Capsules must be replaced every 5 years.
- Device placed in uterus:
- This is placed in your uterus by your healthcare provider. 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.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Oral:
- If you miss the second dose call your healthcare provider right
away.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Oral:
- Will not end a pregnancy.
- Not for regular use to prevent pregnancy.
- Capsules under the skin:
- Keep area dry and avoid heavy lifting for 2-3 days after placement.
- Tell healthcare provider if you have problems with blood clotting or
are taking a medicine to decrease clotting.
- Uterine device:
- Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Your blood pressure may
increase. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you were born with heart disease or have
heart valve problems.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are diabetic.
- For all forms:
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- 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, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy. Missed menstrual cycles are not an indicator
of pregnancy.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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|
- For all forms:
- Menstrual changes may occur. Increased or decreased bleeding,
spotting, and irregular or missed menstrual periods can all occur. You may
notice shorter menstrual periods also.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Weight gain.
- Acne.
- Dizziness.
- Breast pain or tenderness.
- Capsules under the skin:
- Pain or itching near where capsules were placed.
- Uterine device:
- Cramps, dizziness, or faintness while device is being placed.
- High blood pressure.
- Cyst on the ovary rarely
occur.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- For all forms:
- Blood sugar if you are diabetic. May cause increases in blood sugar.
- Annual follow up with healthcare provider.
- Uterine device:
- Pelvic exam, Pap smear, pregnancy test, tests to check for sexual
diseases.
- Three month check up to make sure device is in the correct
position.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- For all forms:
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- Severe headache.
- Eye sight change.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, or belly pain.
- If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
- Oral:
- If you throw up less than 1 hour after taking medicine.
- Capsules under the skin:
- Severe irritation, redness, pain, or pus in area where inserted.
- Uterine device:
- Cannot feel string.
- If system comes out by itself.
- Heavy or long-lasting bleeding, unusual discharge.
- Painful sex.
- Fever, chills, cramping, pain, vaginal
discharge.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store tablets at room temperature.
- The capsules or the device will be inserted in a clinic or hospital
setting. You will not store it at
home.
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| General statements |
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- 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.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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