Levonorgestrel



Mirena®; Plan B®







Levonorgestrel

(LEE voe nor jes trel)

U.S. Brand Names
Mirena®; Plan B®
Canadian Brand Names
Mirena®; Norplant® Implant; Plan B™
Mexican Brand Names
Microlut®
Pharmacologic Category
Contraceptive; Progestin
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
  • This medicine does not protect against sexually-transmitted diseases.
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • 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 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 are pregnant or may be pregnant.
  • Other product-specific reasons not to take:
  • Norplant® (capsules placed under the skin):
  • If you have high pressure in the brain.
  • Mirena® (uterine device):
  • 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.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to prevent pregnancy.
How does it work?
  • 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.
How is it best taken?
  • Oral:
  • This medicine should be started less than 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse. 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.
  • Keep area dry.
  • Avoid heavy lifting for 2-3 days after placement.
  • 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.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Oral:
  • Call healthcare provider for instructions.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • All forms:
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
  • Oral:
  • This medicine will not end a pregnancy.
  • This medicine is not for regular use to prevent pregnancy.
  • Capsules under the skin:
  • If you have bleeding problems, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Uterine device:
  • If you are diabetic, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have heart valve disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • All forms:
  • Weight gain.
  • Headache.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Acne.
  • Breast enlargement.
  • For females, vaginal yeast infection. Report itching or discharge.
  • For females, menstrual changes. These include lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles.
  • Gallbladder disease, blood clots, heart attacks, and other vascular problems can rarely occur.
  • Capsules under the skin:
  • Irritation where capsules were placed.
  • Uterine device:
  • Discomfort while device is being placed.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Cyst on the ovary can rarely occur.
What should I monitor?
  • 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.
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider yearly.
  • Uterine device:
  • Follow up with healthcare provider in 3 months.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • All forms:
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Severe headache.
  • Severe belly pain.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Sudden change in vision, eye pain or irritation.
  • Breast tenderness.
  • For females, if you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
  • Oral:
  • If you vomit within 1 hour of taking this medicine.
  • Capsules under the skin:
  • Severe skin irritation.
  • Uterine device:
  • Cannot feel string.
  • Device comes out.
  • Painful sex.
  • Chills.
  • Severe belly pain.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store tablets at room temperature.
  • Capsules or device will be inserted in a healthcare setting. You will not store at home.
General statements
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: