What is Postinor-2 used for?
Postinor-2 is an emergency contraceptive only. Postinor-2 is not intended as a regular method of contraception. It is used to prevent pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. It is estimated that Postinor-2 will prevent 85% of expected pregnancies. 95% of expected pregnancies will be prevented if taken within the first 24 hours, declining to 58% if taken between 48 hours and 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.
It is not known whether Postinor-2 is effective if taken more than 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. Postinor-2 will not prevent you from catching sexually transmitted diseases or other sex related risk. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about why you are taking Postinor-2.
Before you take Postinor-2
Before you start treatment with Postinor-2, your doctor or pharmacist should:
- Check you are not already pregnant if he/she suspects you may already have been
- pregnant before this occurrence of unprotected intercourse
- Ask you if you are taking any other medicines (see Taking other medicines)
- Ask if you suffer from high blood pressure
- Advise you of the need for careful use of a barrier method of contraception until you have your next period
- Advise you to see your doctor in three weeks time, especially if you have not had a period by then
- Discuss the need for regular contraception
You should consult your doctor before you take it if:
- You have diabetes mellitus (with kidney, eye or nerve damage, or vascular disease) – Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin or else the body tissues are not able to use the insulin present. This leads to hyperglycaemia (too much sugar in the blood)
- You have ischaemic heart disease (heart disease caused by reduced blood flow in the blood vessels of the heart muscle)
- You have suffered a stroke
- You have had breast cancer
- You have severe liver disease
When you must not take it
Do not take Postinor-2 if:
- You are pregnant
- You have previously had unprotected intercourse more than 72 hours earlier in the same menstrual cycle, as you may already be pregnant
- You are experiencing vaginal bleeding for which the reason is not known
- You have breast cancer
- You are allergic to any of the ingredients of the tablets (See Product Description below)
- The tablets do not look quite right
- Do not take Postinor-2 after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. READ: How To Flush Out Sperm From The Body Naturally
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including those purchased from a supermarket or health food store. Some medicines may prevent Postinor-2 from working properly or Postinor-2 may affect the way other medicines work. Examples of medicines which may interfere with Postinor-2 are:
Medicines used to treat epilepsy (for example, barbiturates, primidone, phenytoin, and carbamazepine).
Medicines used to treat tuberculosis (for example, rifampicin, rifabutin).
A treatment for HIV infection (ritonavir).
A medicine used to treat fungal infections (griseofulvin).
Herbal remedies containing St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)
How to take Postinor-2
Take one tablet as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse. The sooner that you take the tablet, the more effective it is likely to be. It is best to take it immediately after you receive it. The first tablet should be taken no later than 72 hours after intercourse. Take the second tablet exactly 12 hours after the first tablet.
As you must take the second tablet exactly 12 hours after the first tablet, you should work out a time when you will be able to take the second tablet (for example, not in the middle of the night when you will probably be asleep) and take the first tablet 12 hours before then. This means you might need to delay the first dose slightly. You should remember though that the sooner the first tablet is taken, the greater the likelihood of the treatment stopping you from falling pregnant.
Postinor-2 is not recommended for children. There is only limited information available on Postinor-2 when taken by women aged 14-16 years and no information on its use in younger women or children.
Can I Take Postinor 2 Twice In A Week?
It is possible to take Postinor 2 pill twice in one week, but it is not recommended for regular use. The postinor pill contains a very high dose of hormones. If taken occasionally, the hormones should not be in your body long enough to cause any harmful effects. However, there are several side effects that come with the indiscriminate use of postinor 2.
If you use Postinor 2 more frequently than “just emergencies,” there’s a chance that it may accumulate within your body to a greater extent, leading to a prolonged elimination term in addition to several other effects on your womb and entire reproductive system. Expected side effects include Nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, tiredness, dizziness, changes in vaginal bleeding, breast tenderness, diarrhea, or headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
While taking Postinor-2
If you vomit within 2 hours of taking either of the tablets you should return to your pharmacy, doctor or clinic as the tablet may not be absorbed and you will need to take an additional tablet.
Things you must do
Tell any doctor or pharmacist who are treating you that you have taken Postinor -2
Things you must not do
Do not give Postinor-2 to anyone else
Things to be careful of
If Postinor-2 makes you drowsy or dizzy, do not drive a car or operate machinery.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well after you take Postinor-2. All medicines have side effects. Often they are not serious but sometimes they can be. You may need medical treatment if you get some side effects.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Common side effects are tiredness, nausea and vomiting. Some patients have also experienced stomach pain, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, tender breasts, increased vaginal bleeding and skin reactions.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
After using Postinor-2
You should see your doctor within 3 weeks of taking Postinor-2.
You may experience spotting or vaginal bleeding earlier than expected.
If you do not get your period within 3 weeks of taking the tablets you must see your doctor, as you may be pregnant. If Postinor-2 does not work, you could be pregnant. Your doctor will order a pregnancy test. If stomach pain is severe you should see your doctor immediately as on rare occasions a tubal pregnancy could occur.
Postinor-2 is only intended as an emergency measure. If you have not already done so you should discuss with your doctor other methods of long term contraception.
You should not breast feed within three days after taking Postinor-2.
If you take too much (Overdose)
Call your doctor, or the Poisons Information Centre if you take too many Postinor-2 tablets, or if a child has taken Postinor-2.
Product description:
Postinor-2 contains one blister sheet containing two round white tablets. Each tablet contains 750 micrograms of levonorgestrel and the following inactive ingredients: potato starch, maize starch, silica colloidal anhydrous, magnesium stearate, talc, lactose.
Storage:
Keep your tablets in the pack until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the pack they will not keep well.
Keep your tablets in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Do not store Postinor-2 or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car on hot days or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children can not reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
The expiry date is printed on the pack and the foil blister. Do not use Postinor-2 after this expiry date.
