> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hi-doctor.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Levonorgestrel 1.5mg

> The emergency contraceptive pill: how it delays ovulation, why timing within 72 hours matters, and when a copper IUD is the better option instead.

Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg is the emergency contraceptive pill, taken as a single
dose after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure to prevent pregnancy by
delaying or stopping ovulation. It does not protect against sexually
transmitted infections and does not end an established pregnancy — it only
works before ovulation has happened, which is why taking it as soon as possible
matters more than almost anything else about it.

<Info>
  **Form** single oral tablet · **Dose** 1.5 mg, one dose · **Status**
  prescription only · **Window** as soon as possible, normally within 72 hours
</Info>

## How it works

Levonorgestrel mainly delays or prevents ovulation. Because it cannot
reliably work after ovulation has already happened, taking it as soon as
possible is what determines whether it helps at all.

## Timing and dosing

<Steps>
  <Step title="As soon as possible">
    Take the single 1.5 mg tablet, preferably within 12 hours and no later
    than 72 hours after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Do not
    delay while waiting for symptoms.
  </Step>

  <Step title="If you vomit within 3 hours">
    Another tablet is needed as soon as possible, because the first may not
    have been absorbed. Ask a pharmacist or clinician promptly for a
    replacement.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Afterwards">
    Use reliable barrier protection for any further sex — this tablet does
    not protect later exposures or against sexually transmitted infections.
    Continue or restart regular contraception according to professional
    advice.
  </Step>
</Steps>

A copper IUD remains the most effective emergency-contraception option, and
may be recommended instead depending on your case.

## Before taking it

Tell the clinician or pharmacist if any of the following apply — a copper
IUD or a different plan may be more suitable:

* Your period is already late
* More than 72 hours have passed since the exposure
* There was another unprotected exposure this cycle
* You used enzyme-inducing medicines in the last 4 weeks

## Who it is not suitable for

* An established pregnancy is suspected and needs assessment
* The timing or your medicines make a copper IUD or another option more
  appropriate

## What has been reported

| Common short-term effects              |                |
| -------------------------------------- | -------------- |
| Nausea, headache, tiredness            | Usually settle |
| Abdominal discomfort, dizziness        | Usually settle |
| Breast tenderness, diarrhoea, vomiting | Usually settle |

The next period may come a few days early or late, and bleeding may differ
from usual. These changes do not confirm whether the tablet worked.

## When to seek urgent care

<Warning>
  For severe, sudden or unexpected symptoms, call your local emergency number
  or go to the nearest emergency department. Then let your doctor know
  through your account chat.
</Warning>

* Severe or one-sided lower abdominal pain, fainting, shoulder-tip pain, or
  heavy bleeding — seek urgent assessment
* The next period is more than about 5–7 days late, unusually light or
  heavy, or pregnancy symptoms occur — take a pregnancy test and seek
  advice
* There is another unprotected exposure after the dose, or concern about a
  sexually transmitted infection

## Storage

Keep in the original package, away from moisture and direct heat, and out
of children's reach. Follow the temperature limit on your pack and do not
use it after the expiry date.

## Common questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How effective is levonorgestrel?">
    Levonorgestrel is most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex, ideally within 12 hours. Effectiveness decreases with every hour that passes and it cannot work reliably after ovulation has already occurred. A copper IUD remains the most effective emergency-contraception option and may be recommended instead.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I take levonorgestrel if I am already pregnant?">
    No. Levonorgestrel does not end an established pregnancy and should not be taken if a pregnancy is suspected. If your period is already late, seek assessment before taking the tablet.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if I vomit after taking the tablet?">
    If you vomit within 3 hours of taking levonorgestrel, another tablet is needed as soon as possible because the first may not have been fully absorbed. Ask a pharmacist or clinician promptly for a replacement.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will levonorgestrel affect my next period?">
    Yes, the next period may come a few days early or late, and bleeding may differ from usual. These changes do not confirm whether the tablet worked. If your period is more than 5 to 7 days late, take a pregnancy test and seek advice.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does levonorgestrel protect against STIs?">
    No. Levonorgestrel does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Use reliable barrier protection for any further sex.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What medicines can interfere with levonorgestrel?">
    Enzyme-inducing medicines taken in the last 4 weeks can reduce the effectiveness of levonorgestrel. Tell the clinician or pharmacist about any medicines you are taking before taking the tablet.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## How Hi-Doctor handles it

An EU-licensed doctor reads your questionnaire and answers within 24 hours.
If they decide it is not safe to prescribe, the consultation fee is
refunded in full. Follow-up happens in the private chat inside your
account. See [pricing](/essentials/pricing), [how a consultation
works](/essentials/how-it-works), and how eligibility checks work in
[safety](/essentials/safety).

## Further reading

The site's own patient guide covers dose scheduling, storage and what to
expect in more day-to-day detail: [Levonorgestrel emergency contraception
guide](https://hi-doctor.ai/guides/levonorgestrel).

Related: [emergency contraception](/library/conditions/emergency-contraception) ·
[ulipristal](/library/medicines/ulipristal) ·
[Safety](/essentials/safety)

## Start a consultation

<Card title="Sexual health consultation" icon="stethoscope" href="https://hi-doctor.ai/consultation/sexual-health/1">
  Answer the sexual health questionnaire and a registered doctor reviews it.
  They decide whether treatment is appropriate, which one, and at what dose —
  and declining is a normal outcome. See [what it costs](/essentials/pricing)
  and [how the review works](/essentials/how-it-works).
</Card>

<Warning>
  This page is reference information, not medical advice and not a prescription.
  Whether a medicine is appropriate for you is decided by a registered doctor
  after reviewing your consultation.
</Warning>