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What is the most important information I should know about levonorgestrel?

Avoid smoking cigarettes while using levonorgestrel. Smoking increases the risk of developing a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot.

Levonorgestrel does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases--including HIV and AIDS.

What is levonorgestrel?

Levonorgestrel is a form of progesterone, which is a female hormone involved in conception. Levonorgestrel is used to prevent pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary) and by causing the cervical mucous to thicken, which makes it harder for sperm to move toward the uterus.

Levonorgestrel is used to prevent pregnancy for up to 5 years.

Levonorgestrel may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking levonorgestrel?

Before using levonorgestrel, tell your doctor if you have

• high blood pressure, angina, or heart disease;

• had a stroke;

• a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder;

• liver disease;

• breast cancer, uterine, or another hormone-related cancer;

• undiagnosed, abnormal vaginal bleeding;

• a history of intracranial hypertension (increased blood pressure inside the head);

• diabetes;

• an increased level of cholesterol in your blood;

• migraines;

• asthma; or

• seizures or epilepsy.

You may not be able to use levonorgestrel or you may require special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Levonorgestrel is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that levonorgestrel is known cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can have very serious negative effects on a developing baby. The use of levonorgestrel during early pregnancy is not always harmful to a developing baby. Notify your doctor immediately if you think you might be pregnant. The hormones in levonorgestrel pass into breast milk. Talk to your doctor before using levonorgestrel if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use levonorgestrel?

Use levonorgestrel exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

To use the Norplant system, your doctor or health care provider will surgically implant six capsules containing levonorgestrel under the skin of your upper arm.

Following insertion of the capsules, keep the area clean and dry and avoid heavy lifting with that arm for 2 to 3 days. The incision should be healed in about 3 days. Follow your doctor's instructions regarding proper wound care.

Use another method of birth control for at least 7 days after insertion of the levonorgestrel capsules.

Have a complete physical examination at least once a year while using a levonorgestrel implant.

The capsules will continue to work for 5 years and should be removed by the end of the fifth year. New capsules may be inserted at that time if desired.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since the implanted capsules continuously release a low dose of levonorgestrel, missing a dose does not occur when using this form of levonorgestrel.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of levonorgestrel can result only if more than six capsules are implanted at once, which is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid while using levonorgestrel?

Avoid smoking. Smoking increases the risk of developing a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot.

Levonorgestrel does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases--including HIV and AIDS.