POSTINOR 2 – IS IT SAFE? USES, SIDE-EFFECTS, DOSAGE
WHAT IS POSTINOR 2?
Postinor 2 is an oral contraceptive pill used in an emergency to prevent pregnancy after unsafe intercourse. It is otherwise known as a morning-after pill. This medicine is a package of two pills in which you have to take the 1st pill within 24 hours of unprotected sex and the 2nd pill just after 12 hours of the 1st pill. It is safer to take this pill sooner but you can start it within 72 hours if the birth control method failed.
The manufacturer of this medicine is Gedeon Richter Ltd.
POSTINOR 2 – IS IT SAFE? USES, SIDE-EFFECTS, DOSAGE
What is the Generic name(s)?
What is its composition?
How does it work?
What are its uses?
How effective is this medicine?
Is it addictive?
What is the dosage?
What if I miss a dose?
What to do in case of overdosage?
CAN I DRIVE AFTER TAKING IT?
CAN IT BE TAKEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH?
CAN IT BE TAKEN WITH FOOD?
CAN I TAKE IT WITH ALCOHOL?
WHAT ARE THE SIDE-EFFECTS?
DOES THIS MEDICINE HAS ANY DRUG INTERACTIONS?
Precautions
Is it safe to use if I am pregnant?
Is it safe to use if I am breastfeeding?
Can this medicine be given to children and infants?
Is this medicine available as over the counter (OTC) product?
Frequently asked questions
Reference
WHAT IS THE GENERIC NAME(S)?
The generic name of this medicine is Levonorgestrel[1].
WHAT IS THE COMPOSITION?
Postinor 2 is a composition of 0.75 Levonorgestrel as an active ingredient and other inactive or non-medicinal ingredients like Maize starch[2], Potato starch[3], Silica Colloidal Anhydrous, Lactose[4], Talc, and Magnesium Stearate.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
This medicine works perfectly if taken within 24 hours of the unsafe intercourse[5] and the 2nd medicine in the next 12 hours. It also works if taken both the tablets within a period of 72 hours or 3 days.
The presence of Levonorgestrel as an active ingredient works to prevent pregnancy[6] by delaying the release of an egg from the ovary or preventing ovulation[7].
It prevents the fertilisation of the egg and causes the alteration of the endometrium[8]. It prevents the union of the egg and the released sperms[9] with thickening the mucus in the cervix.
This medicine will not be effective or work if you are already pregnant[10]. It is not intended for abortion[11].
It will also not work if you have intercourse after taking this.
WHAT ARE ITS USES?
Postinor 2 is used as only an emergency contraceptive pill, not as a regular contraception method.
It is used to prevent an unplanned pregnancy after unsafe sex.
It is also used when another method of contraception[12] failed.
Avoid taking this medicine too often.
Do not use it more than once within a menstrual cycle[13]. It may disturb your regular menstrual cycle and in long run can cause infertility.
This medicine is not recommended to use before the 1st menstrual bleeding or Menarche[14] of a girl. It can cause infertility[15].
Long-Term usage of this medicine may be a risk factor for cervical cancer if taken more than 4-5 years.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS THIS MEDICINE?
It is seen that this medicine works effectively if taken in time as per the usage direction.
Researches have shown that it is:
- 95% effective to prevent pregnancy if taken within 24 hours of the intercourse and the 2nd tablet after 12 hours respectively.
- 85% effective if taken within 24 to 48 hours or within 3 days after intercourse.
- 58% effective if taken within 48 hours to 72 hours after intercourse.
It is not effective if you are pregnant.
IS IT ADDICTIVE?
There are no records of addiction to this medicine have been found yet. This medicine also contains no such ingredient which can be potential for addiction. Rather it is recommended not to take this medicine after every sex. It may not work for you in long run.
WHAT IS THE DOSAGE?
- You have to take one tablet as soon as possible after unsafe sex or within 72 hours.
- Take the 2nd tablet exactly just after 12 hours of the intake of the 1st tablet.
- Don’t break or chew the tablets.
- Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water or a glass of warm milk.
- If in case, you will vomit within 2 hours of the intaking of tablets immediately consult your doctor whether to take a new tablet or not. The doctor will advise you for the further medication.
- Don’t forget to follow up your doctor after 3 weeks of the intake of this medicine.
It is recommended to follow the instruction of your doctor about the dosage of this medicine according to your health condition.
WHAT IF I MISS A DOSE?
Postinor 2 is a package of 2 tablets to which you have to take as a single dose but within a fixed hour-gap. If you will miss taking one of these tablets it will be less effective and you may be pregnant.
Therefore, it is recommended to take the 2nd tablet as soon as you remember. If it is too late or more than 72 hours you must consult your doctor immediately. The doctor will suggest you another method of emergency contraception.
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF OVERDOSAGE?
An overdosage of this medicine can cause dangerous after effects in your body. You may go through:
- severe vaginal bleeding
- unbearable abdominal pain
- abdominal cramps
- excess vomiting
- nausea
- fatigue
- severe drowsiness
If any of these after effects persists immediately rush to the nearer hospital for an emergency check-up. Consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Be careful about the dosages of this medicine. Understand the method of intake properly from your doctor. Never take an overdose of this medicine.
CAN I DRIVE AFTER TAKING IT?
This medicine causes after-effects like dizziness, drowsiness, and sleepy feelings after intake. Therefore, it is not recommended to drive or to do any heavy machinery works after taking this medicine.
It does not happen in all cases. If you are free from any of the above-mentioned after effects of this medicine you can drive.
CAN IT BE TAKEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH?
Yes, you can take it in an empty stomach. But as per the doctor’s advice try to take a glass of milk while taking this medicine.
You must take your food within half an hour of taking this medicine if you have an active or history of gastritis, ulcer, or any stomach disorders.
CAN IT BE TAKEN WITH FOOD?
Yes, this medicine can be taken with food. But you must intake a glass of water or milk while taking this medicine to avoid any stomach disorders.
CAN I TAKE IT WITH ALCOHOL?
No, this medicine is strictly prohibited to take with Alcohol. It may cause serious side-effects like:
- abnormal menstrual bleeding
- intestinal bleeding
- ulcer
- infertility
- non-stop spotting
This medicine becomes effectless and decreases its efficiency as an emergency contraceptive if taken with alcohol.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE-EFFECTS?
Like all the medicines Postinor 2 have also some side-effects which may or may not occur. Though these effects are not serious but can be anytime for anybody. Because the body system and health condition are not the same for all. Some possible side-effects of this medicine are:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Feeling of sickness
- Pain in your lower abdomen
- Irregular bleeding
- Spotting
- Changes in your menstrual cycle
- Tiredness
- Diarrhoea
- Tenderness in breasts
- A mild headache
- Hives
- Itching
- Swelling of face
- Pelvic pain
- Cramps during the next menstrual cycle
- Rashes
- Acne
- Flu-like symptoms
- Uterine pain
- Uterine bleeding
- Painful menstruation
All the side-effects of this medicine are given here, after thorough research from different sources. But it is advised not to be alarmed by these effects or be panic before taking this medicine. These side-effects may or may not occur in all cases.
It is recommended to consult your doctor immediately if any of the above-mentioned side-effects persists.
DOES THIS MEDICINE HAS ANY DRUG INTERACTIONS?
Levonorgestrel as an active ingredient in this medicine can interact with medicines like:
ANTIBIOTICS
- Tetracyclin
- Ampicillin
- Cotrimoxazole
- Clarithromycin
BARBITURATES
- Phenobarbital
- Pentobarbital
- Garion
- Episol plus
- Nytoin
- Emgard
- Beetal
- Barbee
- Luminalettes
- Gardenal
- Cobarb
MEDICINES FOR EPILEPSY
- Carbamazepine
- Carbatrol
- Carbazep
- Carmaz
- Carbacontin
- Carbapa
- Acetol
- Antilep
- Mezocar
- Zept
- Epilent
- Epnil
- Carbin
- Seizurone
- Maze
MEDICINES FOR FUNGAL INFECTION
- Griseofulvin
- Fungal
- Tineavin
- Fulvinem
- Grisovin FP
- Gris od
- Dermonorm
- Fungivinfluvin
MEDICINES FOR TUBERCULOSIS
- Rifampicin
- Rifabutin
- Rifampin
MEDICINES FOR A MIGRAINE
- Vasograine
- Paramet
- NT Grain
- Ergacap
- Migranil
- Migranil EC
- Ergotab
MEDICINES FOR HIV
- Ritonavir
- Efavirenz
LOW-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT HEPARINS
- Enoxaparin
- Dalteparin
- Tinzaparin
HERBAL MEDICINES
- St. John’s Wort
- Hypericum Perforatum
MISCELLANEOUS
- Adapalene
- Acitretin
- Aprepitant
- Apixaban
- Atazanavir
- Bosentan
- Boceprevir
- Cholestyramine
- Clobazam
- Colestipol
- Cyclosporine
- Cobicistat
- Dabrafenib
- Dabigatran
- Deferasirox
- Darunavir
- Dexamethasone
- Exenatide
- Fosphenytoin
- Fosaprepitant
- Heparin
- Lamotrigine
- Isotretinoin
- Mycophenolate
- Mifepristone
- Nevirapine
- Oxcarbazepine
- Phenytoin
- Perampanel
- Prucalopride
- Rivaroxaban
- Selegiline
- Tocilizumab
- Thalidomide
- Topiramate
- Tretinoin
- Tranexamic Acid
- Ulipristal
- Voriconazole
You must consult your doctor about using any of the medicines mentioned above before taking of Postinor 2.
Do not stop the previous-taking medicine on your own.
Your doctor will give you guidance for the management of both the medicines or any alteration of medication.
PRECAUTIONS
Before taking this medicine, inform your doctor about all other medications or herbal remedies you are in use. Tell the doctor about the past and current medical conditions you have.
Don’t forget to inform your doctor if you have any upcoming surgeries or you have gone through any surgeries recently.
Do not take this medicine if you have the health conditions like:
- A migraine
- A headache
- Liver problems
- Diabetes
- HIV
- AIDS
- Breast cancer
- Abnormal Vaginal bleeding
- Obesity or Overweight (more than 75 kg or 165 pounds)
- Allergic to Levonorgestrel
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Ischaemic Heart Disease
- History of Heart stroke
- Diabetes mellitus
- Retinopathy
- Nephropathy
- Neuropathy
- Nephritis
- Diarrhoea
- Chron’s disease
- Malabsorption
- Vomiting
- Ectopic pregnancy(the development of baby somewhere outside the womb.)
- Gallbladder diseases
- Blood cell disorder
- Renal impairment
- Fatigue
- Hypertension
- Hyperlipidaemia
- Asthma
- Epilepsy
- Fungal infection
- Depression
- Tuberculosis
- Salpingitis(inflammation in your Fallopian tubes.)
- A problem in the Gastrointestinal tract
- Skin diseases like itching and rashes
- Thromboembolic diseases
Don’t take this medicine frequently. It will be less effective.
Don’t make it arbitrary to use this medicine whenever you want to prevent pregnancy after unsafe sex.
Never use it more than once between two menstrual cycles. It can disrupt your cycle. It can delay your next period or make it earlier.
IS IT SAFE TO TAKE IF I AM PREGNANT?
No, it is not safe to take Postinor 2 if you are pregnant.
- Postinor 2 is an ADEC comes under the drugs of category D which can cause human foetal malformation. Therefore, it is not recommended to take this medicine in pregnancy or planning for a pregnancy.
- It is suggested to do a pregnancy test before taking this medicine if any suspicion is there.
- If you become pregnant after taking of this medicine it may be an ectopic pregnancy which means the developing of the baby somewhere else outside of the womb.
IS IT SAFE TO TAKE IF I AM BREASTFEEDING?
No, Postinor 2 is not safe to take if you are breastfeeding. There are records of identification of a small part of this medicine in breastmilk which could be fatal for the newborn baby.
If you have already taken this medicine in an emergency you must wait for 8 hours for the next breastfeeding.
CAN THIS MEDICINE BE GIVEN TO CHILDREN AND INFANTS?
No, this medicine is not intended or recommended for the children and infants. This medicine is also not recommended for the girls before menarche or the 1st bleeding of menstruation.
IS THIS MEDICINE AVAILABLE AS OVER THE COUNTER(OTC) PRODUCT?
No, Postinor 2 is not available as an over the counter(OTC) product.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- How can I be sure that the medicine is working for me?
Ans – You have to wait for your next menstrual cycle to confirm the effectivity of this medicine. If you will not get the period for more than 5 days go for a pregnancy test or consult your doctor.
- Can I take this medicine after the surgery of fallopian tubes?
Ans – No, never take this medicine in such conditions and also do not forget to inform your doctor before taking this medicine if you have a history of fallopian tube surgery.
- Can I take both the tablets of Postinor 2 once?
Ans – According to some researches, one can take both the tablets once. But it is recommended to consult your doctor about this to avoid any adverse effects.
- Can I use it after other safe sex practices for more safety?
Ans – Yes, you can take it after uses of condoms, diaphragms, etc. But never take this with another medicine contains the same active ingredient Levonorgestrel.
- Can this medicine cause infertility?
Ans – Overuse of this medicine can cause infertility by upsetting your menstrual cycle in long run.
- How many days can this medicine delay period?
Ans – The highest delay period of your menstrual cycle id 5 days after taking this medicine. After then you must go for a pregnancy test.
- Does this medicine cause weight gain?
Ans – Yes, excessive use of this medicine causes massive weight gain. It can deposit fat around your stomach area and in some cases, in all over the body.
Reference
Wikipedia page on Family planning
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