Levonorgestrel
Levonorgestrel is a progestin hormone used in the morning-after pill and in daily birth control pills; PockDose lists generic Plan B, Levlen and Alesse tablets.
Levonorgestrel: one hormone, two very different uses
Levonorgestrel is a synthetic progestin, a lab-made copy of the hormone progesterone. It appears in two kinds of product, and people searching for it usually want one or the other: a single morning-after tablet taken once after unprotected sex, or a daily contraceptive pill taken every day to prevent pregnancy in the first place. PockDose stocks both.
Either way the hormone mostly works by holding back ovulation, so no egg is available for sperm to meet.
The morning-after tablet
Plan B is generic levonorgestrel 1.5mg, one tablet per dose. It is for the morning after unprotected sex, or after a method that let you down, taken as soon as possible and within 72 hours (three days). The earlier it is taken, the better it works. It is not for regular use, it will not end an existing pregnancy and it gives no protection against sexually transmitted infections. The next period may come a week early or late, and a period more than a week overdue is a reason for a pregnancy test.
Daily birth control pills
These pair levonorgestrel with ethinyl estradiol, an oestrogen, and are taken once a day at about the same time. Levlen is a generic tablet in 0.03/0.15mg. Alesse is a generic tablet in two pairs, 0.15 with 0.03mg and 0.25 with 0.05mg. Both belong with the other pills in the women's health category. Because each tablet holds two hormones, the strengths come as pairs of figures.
Missed pills reduce protection, and a combined pill does not guard against infections either. Early on, spotting between periods, nausea, breast tenderness and headaches are common and often fade after a few cycles. The serious risk is a blood clot: pain or swelling in one leg, sudden chest pain, sudden breathlessness or an unusually severe headache need urgent treatment. Smoking, particularly over the age of 35, raises that risk.
Interactions that matter for both uses
Efavirenz (an HIV medicine), rifampicin (an antibiotic), several anti-seizure medicines and St John's wort can make levonorgestrel work less well, whether it is the single tablet or the daily pill. Nausea, vomiting, tiredness, dizziness and tender breasts are shared effects. Store them dry and at ordinary room temperature.
Sources
- Levonorgestrel: MedlinePlus Drug Information — National Library of Medicine
- Emergency contraception - NHS — NHS
Where can I buy Levonorgestrel in Hong Kong?
Levonorgestrel can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. It is sold here as generic Plan B tablets in 1.5mg for emergency contraception, generic Levlen tablets in 0.03/0.15mg and generic Alesse tablets in 0.15/0.03mg and 0.25/0.05mg. If a parcel does not arrive within the delivery window, or turns up damaged, it is sent again free, or the order is refunded where that is not possible.
How much does Levonorgestrel cost?
It depends on the product, strength and pack size. Each of the three levonorgestrel products listed here shows its current prices in HKD or the currency you select.
Do I need a prescription to order Levonorgestrel?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order levonorgestrel. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What are the other names for levonorgestrel?
Norlevo and Plan B are brand names of levonorgestrel, which is also sold as Escapelle, Levonelle, My Way, Postinor and Take Action. Here, levonorgestrel can be bought online as generic Plan B. These are generics, not the original brand.
What is levonorgestrel used for?
Two things: as a one-off morning-after tablet after unprotected sex, and, combined with ethinyl estradiol, as a daily pill to prevent pregnancy. The single 1.5mg tablet is the first and the Levlen and Alesse tablets are the second.
Is levonorgestrel the same as the pill?
Not the same product. The morning-after tablet is levonorgestrel alone, taken once, while the daily pill pairs levonorgestrel with ethinyl estradiol and is taken every day. The hormone is the same, but the way it is used is not.
Can levonorgestrel be taken after 72 hours?
Seventy-two hours, three days, is the time limit given for the single tablet, and it works better the earlier it is taken. After that window its effect falls further, so waiting even a day or two makes it less dependable.
Does levonorgestrel affect your period?
Yes. After the single tablet the next period can come up to a week early or late and be heavier or lighter. The daily pills have a more regular effect and often make bleeding lighter, with some spotting in the first months.