Emergency Hormonal Contraception - The 'Morning After' Pill

Had unprotected sex?
Did the condom split or come off?
Forgotten to take your regular 'pill'?

If any of these apply, then taking Levonelle™ (Emergency Hormonal Contraception or the 'Morning After' pill) can usually prevent you becoming pregnant.

Our Pharmacist will sit down with you in our private Consulting Room and chat with you about what has happened and then decide if Levonelle™ would be suitable for you.
If it is, then you can take the tablet straight away.
If it isn't suitable for you, they will explain why not and point you in the right direction to get the best help.

Sometimes, we need to carry out a pregnancy test before we can supply Levonelle™, so please don't be shocked if we ask you to provide a urine sample. Our Pharmacist will explain why we need one.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's)

As part of the consultation, our Pharmacist may talk to you about STD's. Please don't feel embarrassed or offended by this. Many people carry an STD, particularly Chlamydia, and don't even know about it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost?
Nothing. The local Primary Care Trust (PCT) provides the funding to allow us to supply you with Levonelle™ absolutely FREE of charge.

How quickly do I need to take Levonelle™?
It is best to get help and advice as soon as possible after unprotected sex. The longer you leave it, the less chance there is of Levonelle™ working properly. You need to take it within 72 hours of having unprotected sexual intercourse. The following is a guide as to how effective Levonelle™ will be:

• Within 24 hrs - 95%
• Between 25-48 hrs - 85%
• Between 49-72 hrs - 58%

Are there any side effects?
The most common side effect people experience is a feeling of sickness (nausea). This usually disappears quite soon after taking the tablet and can sometimes be prevented by eating a small snack after you have taken the tablet. Other side effects may include: headache, breast tenderness, stomach pains, diarrhoea, dizziness and feeling drowsy.

IMPORTANT - If you are physically sick (vomit) within 2 to 3 hours of taking Levonelle™, then you need to obtain a further supply because your body won't have taken enough of the medication on board for it to do its job properly.

I am under 16 years of age. Can I get the 'morning after' pill?
It depends. If you are 14 or 15, then the training our Pharmacists have had allows them to supply you with Levonelle™. If you are under 14, then even though we won't be able to give you the tablet, we will be able to help you talk to the right person.

Will you tell anyone else that I have had the 'morning after'pill?
Absolutely not. Anything you tell us is kept totally confidential. Occasionally, our Pharmacist may feel that someone else needs to know but they will always discuss this with you first.

If you have any other questions, then please call our Pharmacist on 01282 863231 and they will do their best to help you.