Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Norlevo (Laboratoire Hra Pharma, 1.5 mg)
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
NorLevo® is an emergency or backup contraceptive.
NorLevo® can prevent pregnancy after a contraceptive accident (such as a broken condom) or when no form of birth control was used. Treatment is most effective if used in the first 72 hours (3 days) following unprotected sex.
NorLevo® cannot terminate an existing pregnancy. Although there is no scientific evidence that NorLevo® would harm a developing embryo, women who are already pregnant should not use the product.
NorLevo® should not be used in place of regular contraception.
What it does:
NorLevo® acts as an emergency contraceptive by stopping or delaying the release of an egg from the ovary, thus preventing sperm and egg from uniting (fertilization). NorLevo® is not effective once a pregnancy has started, that is once the fertilized egg has attached to the wall of the uterus.
NorLevo® can be used following any unprotected act of sexual intercourse, including:
- when no contraceptive method has been used,
when a contraceptive method may have failed, such as:
- Forgotten, ruptured, misuse or slippage of condom;
- missed oral contraceptive pill;
- expelled intrauterine device (IUD);
early removal, breakage or dislodgment of a vaginal
diaphragm or of a contraceptive cap;
- failure to withdraw before ejaculation;
sexual intercourse during the supposedly fertile period
when relying on periodic abstinence (temperature method);
- in cases of sexual assault (rape);
- a delay in starting a new packet of oral contraceptives;
- a delay in getting a scheduled contraceptive injection. NorLevo® is not as effective in preventing pregnancy as the use of most other birth control methods (e.g. oral contraceptive pills, IUS’s, IUD’s).
When it should not be used:
Do not use NorLevo® if:
- you have a confirmed or suspected pregnancy;
- you are allergic to it, or to any of the components of its formulation (for list of components, see the section “What the nonmedicinal ingredients are”);
- you have abnormal vaginal bleeding.
What the medicinal ingredient is:
Levonorgestrel
What the nonmedicinal ingredients are:
Anhydrous colloidal silica, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, maize starch, povidone.
What dosage form it comes in:
NorLevo® tablet are supplied in a blister package containing 1 tablet of 1.5 mg levonorgestrel. The tablet is round and white, and is embossed “NL 1.5” on one side.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Serious Warnings and Precautions
NorLevo provides no protection against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and herpes. If you are worried about whether you may have been infected with HIV/AIDS, or other sexually transmitted diseases, talk to your health care provider about your concerns and ask how you can protect yourself in the future.
If your period is delayed by more than 5 to 7 days, you should contact your doctor and have a pregnancy test done.
NorLevo® is for Emergency Contraceptive Use Only and should not be used on regular basis.
NorLevo® provides only short-term protection against pregnancy. Sexual activity that takes place after taking NorLevo can still result in pregnancy if no contraceptive is used. You must abstain from sex or use another barrier method of birth control until your next normal period to make sure you do not get pregnant.
BEFORE you use NorLevo® talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:
$ you are allergic to levonorgestrel or any component of
NorLevo® tablet;
$ you are pregnant or breast-feeding;
$ you have recent unusual vaginal bleeding (during your
last cycle);
$ known or suspected breast cancer; $ you have active liver disease or tumor.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
Drugs that decrease the efficacy of NorLevo® include:
Anticonvulsants (phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone,
carbamazepine)
- Rifubutin
- Rifampicin
- Griseofulvin
- Ritonavir
- Hypericum perforatum (St. John wort)
If you taking one of the above medications, and your period is delayed by more than 5 to 7 after using NorLevo®, you should contact your doctor and/or have a pregnancy test done.
Tell your doctor if you have taken NorLevo® within 3 days of a Pap test, as it may affect your results.
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Usual Dose:
NorLevo® may prevent pregnancy if it is taken within 72 hours (3 days) and preferably with 12 hours, after a contraceptive accident or other unprotected sexual intercourse. You should not delay starting treatment. NorLevo® is more effective the sooner you start taking the tablet after unprotected intercourse.
Tablet should be taken with a glass of water.
If you vomit within three (3) hours after swallowing the tablet:
If you can see the tablet in the vomit, you should purchase and
take a second dose as soon as possible.
If the tablet is not visible in the content of the vomit, call your
doctor or pharmacist as you might need another dose.
NorLevo® can be taken at any time during your menstrual cycle.
If you are sexually active and do not wish to become pregnant, you should use a reliable method of contraception on a regular basis. If you want more information about regular contraceptives or if you are having trouble using a method, ask your health professional for help in choosing a method that works for you.
Nursing mothers:
You should discontinue nursing for at least 8 h, but not more than 24h, after emergency contraception. Any milk expressed during this period should be discarded.
Important:
If more than 72 hours (3 days) have passed since unprotected sex occurred, NorLevo® may not be effective. See your health care provider as soon as possible to discuss other options.
NorLevo® is not as effective in preventing pregnancy as the use of most other birth control methods (e.g. oral contraceptive pills, IUS’s, IUD’s or condoms, etc.). It should not be relied on for routine birth control by sexually active women.
Overdose:
Contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, vaginal bleeding and may lead to menstrual cycle disturbances.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
NorLevo® can cause temporary side effects in some women. These side effects generally do not last more than 24 hours. If the symptoms persist (for more than 48 hours) or are severe, see your doctor.
Common side effects include:
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea,
- Dizziness, fatigue, headache,
- Abdominal pain,
- Breast tenderness,
- Delayed menstrual period,
- Spotting,
- Irregular bleeding.
Delayed menstrual period: If your period is delayed by more than 5 to 7 days after using NorLevo®, you should contact your doctor and/or have a pregnancy test done.
Inform your doctor or pharmacist of any unwanted effect which is not mentioned in this insert.
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM | ||||
| Symptom / effect | Talk with your doctor or pharmacist | Stop taking drug and call your doctor or pharmacist | ||
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||
| Uncommon |
| Τ Τ Τ Τ | ||
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking NorLevo®, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
Keep out of reach of children.
Store at room temperature (15-30°C) and protect from light. Keep container in outer carton.
REPORTING SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS
To monitor drug safety, Health Canada trough the Canada Vigilance Program collects information on serious and unexpected effects of drugs. If you suspect you have had a serious or unexpected reaction to this drug you may notify Canada Vigilance:
By toll-free telephone: 866-234-2345
By toll-free fax 866-678-6789
Online: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect By email: Canada Vigilance@hc-sc.gc.ca
By regular mail:
Canada Vigilance National Office
Marketed Health Products Safety and Effectiveness Information Bureau
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Health Canada
Tunney’s Pasture, AL 0701C
Ottawa ON K1A 0K9
NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of the side effect, please contact your health care provider before notifying Canada Vigilance. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
MORE INFORMATION
This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals can be found at:
http://www.bayer.ca
or by contacting the distributor Bayer Inc., at:
1-800-265-7382