AfterPill

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Last updated on RxList: 12/5/2023

Drug Summary

What Is AfterPill?

AfterPill (levonorgestrel tablet) is emergency contraception that helps prevent pregnancy after birth control failure or unprotected sex. It is a backup method of preventing pregnancy and should not be used as regular birth control.

What Are Side Effects of AfterPill?

AfterPill may cause serious side effects including:

  • hives,
  • difficulty breathing,
  • swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, and
  • vomiting within two hours of taking the medication

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Common side effects of AfterPill include:

  • changes in menstrual periods (heavier or lighter, early or late),
  • nausea,
  • lower abdominal pain,
  • tiredness,
  • headache,
  • dizziness, and
  • breast tenderness

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

  • Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out;
  • Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for AfterPill

Take one AfterPill as soon as possible within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex. The sooner you take it the better it will work. If you vomit within 2 hours after taking the medication, call a healthcare professional to find out if you should repeat the dose.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with AfterPill?

AfterPill may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

AfterPill During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using AfterPill; AfterPill will not work if you are already pregnant and will not affect an existing pregnancy. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our AfterPill (levonorgestrel tablet) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

Description for AfterPill

Drug Facts

Active Ingredient

Levonorgestrel USP 1.5 mg

Purpose

Emergency contraceptive

Uses for AfterPill

Use for women to reduce chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex (if a contraceptive failed or if you did not use birth control).

Dosage for AfterPill

Directions

  • take as soon as possible within 72 hours (3 days ) after unprotected sex. The sooner you take it the better it will work.
  • if you vomit within 2 hours after taking the medication, call a healthcare professional to find out if you should repeat the dose.

HOW SUPPLIED

Keep this and all medication out of reach of children:

In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away at 1-800-222-1222.

Do not use if the wallet seal is opened.

Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15 to 30°C (59 to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Active Ingredient: levonorgestrel 1.5 mg

Inactive Ingredients : colloidal silicon dioxide, corn starch, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, and povidone.

Manufactured in India for Syzygy Healthcare Solutions, LLC. Revised: Sep 2017

Side Effects for AfterPill

No information provided.

Drug Interactions for AfterPill

No information provided.

Warnings for AfterPill

Allergy alert: Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to levonorgestrel.

Sexually trans mitted diseases (STDs ) alert: This product does not protect against HIV/AIDS or other STDs

Do not use

  • if you are already pregnant (because it will not work)
  • for regular birth control

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking efavirenz (HIV medication) or rifampin (tuberculosis treatment) or medication for seizures (epilepsy). These medications may reduce the effectiveness of levonorgestrel.

When using this product you may have

  • menstrual changes
  • nausea
  • lower stomach (abdominal) pain
  • tiredness
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • breast pain
  • vomiting

Keep out of the reach of children.

In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) right away.

Precautions for AfterPill

No information provided.

Overdose Information for AfterPill

No information provided.

Contraindications for AfterPill

No information provided.

Clinical Pharmacology for AfterPill

No information provided.

Patient Information for AfterPill

AfterPill®
(levonorgestrel) Tablet, 1.5 mg

Emergency Contraceptive

One Tablet. One Dose.

What You Need to Know

What is AfterPill® ?

AfterPill® is emergency contraception that helps prevent pregnancy after birth control failure or unprotected sex. It is a backup method of preventing pregnancy and should not be used as regular birth control.

What AfterPill Solo is not.

AfterPill will not work if you are already pregnant and will not affect an existing pregnancy. AfterPill will not protect you from HIV infection (the virus that causes AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

When should I use AfterPill?

The sooner you take emergency contraception, the better it works. You should use AfterPill within 72 hours (3 days) after you have had unprotected s ex.

AfterPill is a backup or emergency method of birth control you can use when:

  • your regular birth control was used incorrectly or failed
  • you did not use any birth control method

When not to us e AfterPill?

AfterPill should not be used:

  • as a regular birth control method, because it's not as effective as regular birth control.
  • if you are already pregnant, because it will not work.
  • if you are allergic to levonorgestrel or any other ingredients in AfterPill®.

When should I talk to a doctor or pharmacis t?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking efavirenz (HIV medication) or rifampin (tuberculosis treatment) or medication for seizures (epilepsy). These medications may reduce the effectiveness of AfterPill and increase your chance of becoming pregnant. Your doctor may prescribe another form of emergency contraception that may not be affected by these medications.

How does AfterPill work?

AfterPill is one tablet with levonorgestrel, a hormone that has been used in many birth control pills for several decades. AfterPill contains a higher dose of levonorgestrel than birth control pills, but works in a similar way to prevent pregnancy. It works mainly by stopping the release of an egg from the ovary. It is possible that AfterPill may also work by preventing fertilization of an egg (the uniting of sperm with the egg) or by preventing attachment (implantation) to the uterus (womb).

How can I get the best results from AfterPill?

You have 72 hours (3 days) to try to prevent pregnancy after birth control failure or unprotected sex. The sooner you take AfterPill, the better it works.

How effective is AfterPill?

If AfterPill is taken as directed, it can significantly decrease the chance that you will get pregnant. About 7 out of every 8 women who would have gotten pregnant will not become pregnant.

How will I know AfterPill worked?

You will know AfterPill has been effective when you get your next period, which should come at the expected time, or within a week of the expected time. If your period is delayed beyond 1 week, it is possible you may be pregnant. You should get a pregnancy test and follow up with your healthcare professional.

Will I experience any side effects ?

  • some women may have changes in their period, such as a period that is heavier or lighter or a period that is early or late. If your period is more than a week late, you may be pregnant.
  • If you have severe abdominal pain, you may have an ectopic pregnancy, and should get immediate medical attention.
  • when used as directed, AfterPill is safe and effective. Side effects may include changes in your period, nausea, lower stomach (abdominal) pain, tiredness, headache, dizziness, and breast tenderness.
  • if you vomit within 2 hours of taking the medication, call a healthcare professional to find out if you should repeat the dose.

What if I s till have questions about AfterPill?

If you have questions or need more information, call our toll-free number, 1-855-889-3012 or visit our website at www.AfterPill.com.

Other Information

Keep this and all medication out of reach of children:

In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away at 1-800-222-1222.

Do not use if the wallet seal is opened.

Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15 to 30°C (59 to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Active Ingredient: levonorgestrel 1.5 mg

Inactive Ingredients : colloidal silicon dioxide, corn starch, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, and povidone.

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

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