Levonelle

Levonelle (levonorgestrel 1.5mg) morning after pill - standby emergency contraception available to buy online from Dr Fox Pharmacy.

  • Prevents pregnancy up to 72 hours (3 days) after intercourse
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Buy Levonelle online in UK

How to order Levonelle (levonorgestrel 1.5mg) online for UK delivery:

  1. Read medical information about emergency contraception
  2. Answer medical questions to check for eligibility
  3. Reviewed by doctors - posted from UK pharmacy (tracked 24hr delivery)

Prices

All products in stock
* or 1 dose if BMI >26 or weight >70kg
Morning after pill Quantity Cost
Levonorgestrel 1.5mg 1 tablet (single dose) £3.00
Levonorgestrel 1.5mg 2 tablets (2 single doses*) £6.00
Levonelle 1 tablet (single dose) £9.00
Levonelle 2 tablets (2 single dose treatments*) £16.00
Comparative costs of emergency contraception from UK online clinics (10 January 2022) - qualifying notes
  1. The prices shown are listed by the online clinics named after a customer first enters consultation information and is offered prescriptions. It is possible these clinics may have special offers or lower prices for repeat supplies.
  2. Prices may change and are, to the best of our knowledge, accurate on the date stated. All products in stock and new condition.
  3. Dr Fox does NOT claim to provide a superior service to any of the online clinics listed. All the clinics listed, as far as we can tell, comply with all regulation and, as far as we can tell, operate to high ethical standards.
  4. To amend the information in this table please contact us
  5. Where services include free delivery this is using the slowest delivery option available. Dr Fox uses Royal Mail Tracked 24.
Morning after pill Dr Fox Lloyds Online Doctor Superdrug Boots
Levonorgestrel 1.5mg £3.00 £15.99 £26.49 £15.99
UK Delivery £2.90 included included included

Delivery charges

UK delivery only: £2.90 per consultation via Royal Mail Tracked 24 Signed For (1-2 working days with tracking).

Parcel forwarding services are not permitted. Use only UK home or work delivery address.

Returns and refunds - unwanted items can be returned within 14 working days for a full refund.

About Levonelle

  • Levonelle is a 'Morning after pill' for emergency contraceptive use after sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy.
  • Levonelle is a brand name, cheaper generic levonorgestrel 1.5mg also available.
  • Take as soon as possible, effective up to 72 hours (3 days) after sex.
  • Prevents pregnancy in up to 98 out of 100 women.
  • Read the patient leaflet for a full list of side effects, cautions, and interactions with other drugs.

How does Levonelle work?

Levonelle contains the progestogen hormone, levonorgestrel, which delays the hormone change that triggers egg release (ovulation) and so reduces the chance of pregnancy after sex.

Levonorgestrel 1.5mg pack photo

Generic Levonelle

A generic version of Levonelle (levonorgestrel 1.5mg) is also available at a much reduced cost - £3. Select 'Levonorgestrel 1.5mg' when choosing treatment after completing your online assessment.

Generic medicines contain the same active ingredients as branded originals and are equally effective.

Who can use Levonelle?

Levonelle is for use by women only. It is suitable for most women.

It is used to prevent pregnancy, after having sex where contraception has not been used successfully, i.e. when:

  • No contraception was used.
  • Condom split or slipped off.
  • Diaphragm or cap was used incorrectly.
  • Using the withdrawal method has failed.
  • The next implant, coil, or depot injection is delayed.
  • In some cases after forgetting to take the regular contraceptive pill, patch, or ring. See NHS information 'what should I do if I miss a pill?': combined pill or progestogen-only pill

When is Levonelle not indicated?

It can be less effective in overweight women. See below

Some medications may reduce the effectiveness of Levonelle. These include:

  • Epilepsy medication.
  • Antibiotics to treat tuberculosis.
  • HIV treatment.
  • Griseofulvin to treat fungal infections.
  • St John's Wort.

Cyclosporin also interacts with Levonelle.

If any of these are used in the 4 weeks before planning to use Levonelle, please discuss alternative emergency contraception with your GP or sexual health clinic.

Requesting Levonelle from Dr Fox

Women who would like to obtain an advance supply of Levonelle from Dr Fox, to keep as a standby for use at short notice, MUST first read important medical information and then complete a short yes/no online questionnaire. At the end of the questionnaire women can request one or two Levonelle tablets, enter a delivery address and make a payment.

Doctors review each request and issue prescriptions for the Levonelle tablet(s). Medication is posted from a UK registered pharmacy. The shelf life (expiry date) is usually 2 years.

If sexual intercourse has already taken place and a morning after pill is needed a pharmacist or doctor should be consulted straightaway.

An online delivery service should NOT be used when immediate treatment is required. There will be a delay of several days or more before tablets are delivered.

How effective is Levonelle?

Levonelle is licensed to be taken up to 72 hours (3 days) after intercourse (sex). 1-2 in a hundred women will still get pregnant after taking Levonelle.

Recent studies suggest Levonelle is less reliable in women who are overweight. Women with a BMI (Body Mass Indicator) result of 26 or above should either take a double dose of two Levonelle tablets or order ellaOne instead.

Overweight women taking a double dose of Levonelle, though recommended by the FSRH (Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health), is 'off-label' and is not mentioned in the patient information leaflet. If a medicine is used for an off-label (unlicensed) purpose the manufacturer is not liable in case of adverse events. Doctors take the responsibility for the prescribing.

Other options for emergency contraception

The most reliable form of emergency contraception is having an IUD (copper coil) fitted and this can then also provide ongoing contraception. They can be fitted by some GPs and at sexual health clinics.

Local NHS Sexual Health Clinics

An alternative pill is ellaOne which, like Levonelle, delays ovulation, but can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after sex.

Taking Levonelle

Levonelle is a single tablet. The dose should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, no later than 72 hours (3 days) after.

If vomiting occurs within 3 hours a repeat dose should be taken.

As time of ovulation can be unpredictable, even in women with regular cycles, emergency contraception is often taken regardless of the day of the cycle when a woman has unprotected sexual intercourse. Levonelle should not be used more than once in the same cycle without advice from a doctor or family planning clinic.

Levonelle should not be used more than once in the same cycle without advice from a doctor or sexual health clinic.

Levonelle should not be taken at the same time, or in the same cycle, as ellaOne.

Side effects of Levonelle

Levonelle has the potential to cause side effects, although these are usually not severe and do not occur in most cases. The commonest side effects are dizziness, nausea, mild lower abdominal pain, bleeding not related to periods and fatigue.

More information on the side effects of Levonelle can be found in the manufacturer's Patient Information Leaflet supplied with the medication.

Warnings

Levonelle may cause spotting or bleeding between periods and your next period may arrive early or late and may be shorter or longer than usual. If your period is not 'normal' or it doesn't arrive until more than 5 days after expected, then you should take a pregnancy test.

There is no increased risk of ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus/womb) after taking a morning after pill. However, ectopic pregnancy can still occur. Take a pregnancy test and seek medical advice if there is unusual abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding 4-5 weeks after taking Levonelle as there is a chance these could be symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy.

Sexually transmitted infections

Levonelle does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Only condoms can protect you from sexually transmitted infections. If you may be at risk, see a GP or sexual health clinic for full checks.

Breastfeeding

The active ingredient, levonorgestrel 1.5mg, is excreted in breast milk. Take Levonelle immediately after feeding and dont feed your baby for the next 8 hours with breast milk. Use a breast pump and dispose of the unwanted milk.

Contraception and Levonelle

Levonelle is a 'morning after pill' for emergency use AFTER unprotected intercourse. It should be used only when other contraception has not been used or has failed, not to replace routine regular contraception, which is more reliable and effective.

Women taking a contraceptive pill, who need to take Levonelle after missing one or more pills in a cycle, should NOT stop taking their contraceptive pill after taking Levonelle.

If using the contraceptive patch or vaginal ring, that should be started again immediately after taking Levonelle.

Start/restart the hormonal contraception within 12 hours. Use condoms as well for 7 days with the patch, the ring, and the combined pill (9 days condom use for Qlaira); Use condoms as well for 2 days with the progestogen-only pill (mini pill).

Long acting reversible methods of contraception (LARC) such as injections, implants, IUD (copper coil) and IUS (hormone coil) are the most reliable forms of contraception and may suit you better if you have found yourself in need of emergency contraception.

Pregnancy and Levonelle

Studies have shown no evidence that Levonelle will cause harm to the foetus if it is taken by a woman who is already pregnant. It is recommended women who know or suspect they are pregnant should not take Levonelle. If Levonelle is taken inadvertently during pregnancy, discuss this with your doctor or midwife.

Patient Information Leaflet

Illustration of patient leaflet from medicine packet

The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine and must be read before taking the medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine.

Levonelle patient leaflet


Levonelle FAQs

Does it matter when I take Levonelle as long as it is within 72 hours (3 days)?

Some studies have shown that Levonelle is more effective when taken sooner. However others have shown no difference, up to 72 hours. It is generally advised to take it as soon as possible, to get the best contraceptive effect as it will not work after ovulation has taken place.

Will Levonelle work if I have sex again before my next period?

No. Levonelle only works for that episode of sex. You need to use ongoing contraception for the remainder of that monthly cycle. This could be condoms, getting a coil or implant fitted, injection or hormonal contraception (contraceptive pill, patch, or ring).

Will Levonelle prevent sexually transmitted infections?

No. Only condoms protect from STIs. If you are at risk of catching an STI, please see a GP or sexual health clinic for a full STI screen.

What if I vomit after taking Levonelle?

If you vomit within 3 hours of taking levonelle, take another tablet as soon as possible.

I have forgotten my contraceptive pill, patch, ring, or POP - should I take Levonelle?

You do not always need emergency contraception after missing pills, patches, or rings.

See NHS information 'what should I do if I miss a pill?':

If you do need emergency contraception, Levonelle is a good choice as it is not affected by the hormones in your regular contraceptive. The regular contraceptive can be restarted immediately using condoms until it is reliable (7 days for combined pill, patch, or ring and 2 days for POP).

See also morning after pills FAQs page.

Dr Tony Steele

Authored 28 November 2012 by Dr Tony Steele
MB ChB Sheffield University 1983. Former hospital doctor and GP. GMC no. 2825328

Reviewed by Dr C. Pugh, Dr A. Wood, Dr B. Babor
Last reviewed 10 January 2022
Last updated 19 January 2024

References

Recent Levonelle reviews

Levonelle rated 4.93/5 in 27 product reviews

See over 40,000 service reviews of Dr Fox

Levonelle 1.5 mg

Great product, at a great price. Doesn't give me any side effects, and can save you from 18 years of hassle. I'm so glad these are readily available online! (These are also very safe, since they only work if you aren't already pregnant - if you are pregnant, they won't do anything at all.)

Thu/06/2023 18:14
Anonymous Verified

Levonelle 1.5 mg

I was good and fast delivery

Mon/05/2023 01:49
P. EffahForson Verified

Levonelle 1.5 mg

Amazing, so cheap and lifesaver to be able to order in advance for an emergency.

Tue/04/2023 10:31
Anonymous Verified

Levonelle 1.5 mg

Life saver

Sun/02/2023 12:41
Anonymous Verified

Levonelle 1.5 mg

This is very effective for family planning.

Tue/01/2023 19:49
Anonymous Verified

Read more reviews

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