Levonelle

Levonelle, or 'the morning after pill', can be taken up to three days (72 hours) after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. The earlier you take this medication, the more likely it is to work; if you take it during the first day after unprotected sex, it is 95% effective. If taken between 25 to 48 hours after unprotected sex its effectiveness drops to 85%, which still gives you a strong chance of not falling pregnant.

During the menstrual cycle a mature egg is released from the ovaries. When this happens the ovary produces progesterone, a female hormone which prevents the release of further eggs. Levonelle One Step's main ingredient, levonorgestrel, tricks the body into believing that ovulation has already occurred by making high levels of synthetic progesterone. The production of this hormone prevents the release of further eggs from the ovaries.

Levonorgestrel also thickens the natural mucus in the womb, making it more difficult for sperm to enter the womb through the vagina. The less chance the sperm has to survive or reach the womb, the less likely it is that the egg will be fertilised.

You have to be 18 years or older to buy Levonelle online. If you are 16, or younger, you will need to consult your doctor first, or visit your local family planning clinic or NHS Walk-in Centre.

You should not take Levonelle if you are allergic to progestogen or levonorgestrel. Do not take this medication if you have liver disease or if you have a disease of the bowel or gut which causes malabsorption. This medication can also react negatively to fungal infection medications, as well as herbal medications containing St John's Wort.

The Levonelle morning-after pill can be taken at any stage of the menstrual cycle; swallow one tablet with water as soon as possible after unprotected sex. If you are already taking birth control tablets you should continue to do so, as this emergency contraceptive can only be used once during a single menstrual cycle. A barrier contraceptive such as a condom is still recommended for use when having sex to ensure against pregnancy until your next cycle starts.

Most women do not experience side effects as Levonelle 1500mg tablets contain only one hormone, progesterone, which means you are less likely to feel unwell than with earlier versions of the morning after pill. Its shorter active time also means you are less likely to suffer side effects than with ellaOne.

Reported Levonelle side effects include headaches, stomach pain, diarrhoea and fatigue. Your period may also come later after taking this medication, which may cause some spotting or bleeding before your next period.

You can buy Levonelle 1500mcg pill, the prescription version of Levonelle One Step, online if you are 18 years or above. You will need to complete a short online consultation before you buy; this will be checked by one of our doctors to make sure you are suitable for this treatment. A Levonelle morning-after pill will then be dispatched from our pharmacy for free overnight delivery.

Please note that this service is only available as a precautionary measure. If you have experienced contraceptive failure and require emergency contraception immediately, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible.