Emergency contraception can prevent most pregnancies when taken after intercourse. It provides an important backup in cases of unprotected intercourse or contraceptive accident (such as forgotten pills or torn condoms) and is especially valuable after rape or coerced sex.
What is Postinor-1?
It is used to prevent pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. It is estimated that Postinor-1 will prevent 85% of expected pregnancies. The sooner that you take Postinor-1 after unprotected intercourse, the more likely it is that the medication will work.
- Postinor-1 is most effective if taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. But remember that the sooner you take it, the more likely it will prevent pregnancy.
- Postinor-1 will not prevent you from catching sexually transmitted diseases. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about why you are taking Postinor-1.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have or ever had any of these conditions:
- an unusual or allergic reaction to levonorgestrel, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
How should I use Postinor 1?
Take this medicine by mouth. Your doctor may want you to use a quick-response pregnancy test prior to using the tablets. Take your medicine as soon as you can after having unprotected sex, preferably in the first 24 hours, but no later than 72 hours (3 days) after the event. Follow the dosage instructions of your health care provider exactly. Do not take any extra pills. Extra pills will not decrease your risk of pregnancy but may increase your risk of side effects.
A patient package insert for the product will be given with each prescription and refill. Read this sheet carefully each time. The sheet may change frequently. Contact your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. This medicine has been used in female children who have started having menstrual periods.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
What if I miss a dose of Postinor-1?
This medicine is not for regular use. Take exactly as directed. If you vomit within 2 hours of taking your dose, contact your health care professional for instructions.
What may interact with this medicine?
- aprepitant
- armodafinil
- barbiturates such as phenobarbital or primidone
- bexarotene
- bosentan
- carbamazepine
- certain medicines for HIV or AIDS or hepatitis
- felbamate
- griseofulvin
- modafinil
- oxcarbazepine
- phenytoin
- rifabutin
- rifampin
- rifapentine
- John’s wort
- topiramate
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Your period may begin a few days earlier or later than expected. If your period is more than 7 days late, pregnancy is possible. See your health care provider as soon as you can and get a pregnancy test.
Talk to your healthcare provider before taking this medicine if you know or suspect that you are pregnant. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may be pregnant and you have taken Postinor-1.
If you have severe abdominal pain, you may have a pregnancy outside the womb, which is called an ectopic or tubal pregnancy. Call your health care provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away if you think this is happening. Discuss birth control options with your health care provider. Emergency birth control is not to be used routinely to prevent pregnancy. Be sure to use your regular birth control method right away, or start one, if you do not have a regular birth control method already. This medicine does not protect you against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
What side effects may I notice from Postinor-1 use?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- abdominal pain or cramping
- breast tenderness
- dizziness
- headache
- nausea
- spotting
- tiredness
Where should I keep my Postinor-1?
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Is Postinor-1 safe?
Postinor-1 is safe for use by all women, including adolescents. Levonorgestrel, the active ingredient in Postinor-1, has been widely used in various formulations for over 30 years and has been extensively studied in women of reproductive age. Levonorgestrel is well tolerated, is not a known allergen, leaves the body within a few days, is not addictive, and has demonstrated no toxic reactions. It poses no risk of overdose and no major drug interactions or contraindications exist for Postinor-1.
While the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a single dose of levonorgestrel (1.5 mg) for emergency use within 120 hours after unprotected sex, repeat use does not pose any known health risks. Postinor-1 has been in use for several decades and current research shows no association with increased risk of cancer.
Does Postinor-1 increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy?
Postinor-1 does not increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy, a potentially dangerous condition in which a fertilized egg implants outside of the womb. A comprehensive search of the published literature evaluating 23 studies of emergency contraceptives use in 216 pregnancies found that fewer than 1% (0.9%) were ectopic, which is less than or comparable to general ectopic pregnancy rates. Postinor-1 reduces the risk of pregnancy, and in pregnancies that do occur after Postinor-1 use, the rate of ectopic pregnancy is lower or similar to what is expected. READ: Postpill vs Postinor 2
Will the use of Postinor-1 affect future fertility?
The use of hormonal contraception, including Postinor-1, has no effect on future fertility although excessive use of Postinor can have some negative effects on the womb. Generally, Postinor-1 leaves the body within a few days, and women who have used Postinor-1 can become pregnant from any subsequent acts of sexual intercourse.
Can Postinor-1 harm a developing fetus?
Postinor-1 does not harm a developing fetus if they are mistakenly taken early in pregnancy. A study that compared pregnancy outcomes in women who used Postinor during their conception cycle with women who had not used Postinor found no differences in rates of miscarriage, birth weight, malformations, or in the sex ratio at birth.
Can Postinor cause an abortion?
Postinor-1 does not interrupt an established pregnancy or harm a developing embryo. The evidence available to date shows that Postinor use does not prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine lining. The primary mechanism of action is to stop or disrupt ovulation; Postinor-1 use may also prevent the sperm and egg from meeting. SEE Abortion Pills Side Effects
Do availability and use of Postinor lead to more unprotected sex?
Several studies have shown that facilitating access to contraceptives does not increase sexual or contraceptive risk-taking behavior. Women who received levonorgestrel-alone emergency contraception in a non-emergency context (that is, in advance of need) were more likely to use it when needed and to take it within 12 hours after sex when it is most effective. The results of a study conducted in the United Kingdom demonstrated no correlation between young people’s knowledge of or access to Postinor and the likelihood that they would become sexually active.
Additionally, teens and young women who have used Postinor do not have a higher risk of sexually transmitted infections, compared with those who have never used emergency contraception. READ: How To Flush Out Sperm From The Body Naturally
How much is Postinor 1 in Nigeria
The price of Postinor 1 in Nigeria ranges from 100 – 300 Naira for a pack of 10 tablets depending on the location of the pharmacy.
Conclusion
A careful review of the evidence shows that levonorgestrel-alone emergency contraceptive pills such as postinor 1, Postinor 2, Postpill, and others are very safe. They do not cause abortion or harm future fertility. Side-effects are uncommon and generally mild. SEE Can I Take Postinor 2 Twice In A Week?
WARNING
Please Kindly Note that: Ampiclox Becham or Ordinary Does Not Flush out Sperm or Prevent Pregnancy
