Emergency Contraception.

You can now come directly to the Pharmacy for emergency contraception.

You can take emergency contraception in order to prevent pregnancy after you've had unprotected sex, or when you think your usual method of contraception might not have worked.

How does it work?

• The emergency contraceptive pill has to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. It's more effective the sooner it's taken. It contains progestogen, and it works by delaying or preventing ovulation.

How effective is it?
If taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex, the emergency contraceptive pill will prevent 95% of pregnancies that could be expected if no emergency contraception were used. 

Eighty-five per cent of pregnancies are prevented if the pill is taken between 25 and 48 hours after unprotected sex, and up to 58% of pregnancies if taken 49-72 hours after unprotected sex. The sooner it's taken, the more effective it will be.

How do I take it?

• Levonelle 1500 is the name for the morning-after pill on prescription
• Levonelle one step is the one you buy over the counter.

Both are identical and contain one tablet per pack. Swallow the tablet straight away.

What will the Pharmacist ask me?

1. Your age. Under 16s are not permitted to buy Levonelle® One Step at a pharmacy. If you are under 16 and want to seek advice about contraception or have had a contraceptive mishap, you should seek medical advice.
2. Who is the contraception for? Unless the circumstances are exceptional your pharmacist is only allowed to supply Levonelle® One Step to you for your own use.
3. How long has passed since you had unprotected sex? Levonelle® One Step is only an appropriate form of emergency contraception if you have had unprotected sex within the last 3 days (72 hours). If you had unprotected sex more than 3 days (72 hours) ago, Levonelle® One Step is not a suitable form of contraception.
4. Details about your last period. Your pharmacist will want to ensure that you're not pregnant already and so he or she is likely to ask you if your last period was late or lighter or shorter than usual, or if it was unusual in any way.
5. If you have had unprotected sex previously in this menstrual cycle. Your pharmacist may also ask you to confirm that this occasion was the first occasion in your current menstrual cycle in which you had unprotected sex.
6. If you have used emergency contraception since your last period, your pharmacist will want to know and he or she may advise you to expect some disruption to your menstrual cycle.
7. If you are taking any other medication it is important to let your pharmacist know. You should include details of any herbal remedies that you are taking as well as remembering to include any pills, tablets, inhalers & syrups.
8. If you are suffering from any form of small bowel disease such as Crohn's Disease or if you have severe liver problems, your pharmacist will ask you to see a healthcare professional so that your suitability for Levonelle® One Step and/or your Levonelle® One Step dosage can be assessed.
9. If you have ever had an allergy or other reaction to levonorgestrel, which is the active ingredient in Levonelle®. It is also found in some other hormonal products that your healthcare professional may have prescribed for you in the past such as the mini-pill and some combined contraceptive pills.