Postinor is an emergency contraceptive medicine that is taken to avoid unwanted/accidental pregnancy within 72 hours (3 days) after having unprotected sexual intercourse. It’s commonly referred to as “Morning After Pill,” but it doesn’t mean you have to wait until morning time before taking the drug. The earlier you take it, the better!
Postinor’s generic name is Levonorgestrel. The active ingredient in the drug is levonorgestrel. It is not designed as a periodic contraception medication and also does not serve as a long-term alternative.
Gedeon Richter manufactures Postinor. He is also Escapelle’s maker (another oral contraceptive pill that, just like postinor, uses Levonorgestrel).
How Postinor Works
Postinor avoids the fertilization of an egg by stopping or delaying the release of the egg from the ovary (i.e. by stopping ovulation) using a hormone called Levonorgestrel, the primary active ingredient in this pill and most contraceptive medicines. The earlier after unprotected sex you take the pill, the more efficient it will be.
NOTE: If you are already pregnant, this oral emergency contraceptive will not function. Nor will the pregnancy be aborted, but it can cause ectopic pregnancy!
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Variants Of Postinor
Postinor comes as a one-pill version (under POSTINOR or POSTINOR 1 or POSTINOR UNO brand name) or as a two-pill version (under POSTINOR or POSTINOR 2 brand name or POSTINOR Duo brand name).
Escapelle is a single, postinor-like emergency pill manufactured by the same company. While there is only one-pill version of Escapelle, Postinor has both one-pill and two-pill versions. The main active ingredient in the two drugs (Escapelle and Postinor) is Levonorgestrel.
NOTE: The main topic under discussion in this article is the one-pill version. Although, between the two variants there is not much distinction.
How Effective Is This Drug?
This pill is 95% efficient in avoiding pregnancy if taken after having unprotected intercourse before the maximum period of 72 hours (3 days). In more than 400 million cases, both POSTINOR and ESCAPELLE were used and they worked efficiently without severe adverse effects.
Postinor is manufactured by Gedeon Richter, who is also Escapelle’s maker (another oral contraceptive pill using Levonorgestrel just like postinor). He has been manufacturing emergency contraceptive Levonorgestrel pills under the POSTINOR and ESCAPELLE brand name for over 35 years now. Gedeon Richter is the world’s highest emergency contraceptive pill manufacturer sold in over 100 nations today!
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When Can This Emergency Birth Control Pill Be Used
This pregnancy avoidance pill should be used if:
- You are uncertain about the technique of “withdrawal (pull-out) and/or calendar” your usual birth control failed (condom break or slip).
- With your normal technique, you made some error (e.g. you forgot to take birth control pills).
- Before intercourse, you did not use any form of birth control.
- You took some other medication that may have lowered your usual pill’s efficacy and you are concerned about getting pregnant.
When Not To Take This Pregnancy Prevention Pill
This drug should not be taken under certain conditions. Tell your doctor if you have any of the following:
- Current or suspected pregnancy
- Unprotected intercourse more than 72 hours earlier in the same menstrual cycle
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding;
- Breast cancer
- Liver problems;
- Hypersensitivity to any ingredients.
Dosage Information
There is only 1 pill in the pack for the one-pill variant, while there are only two pills in the two-pill variant. Within 72 hours of having unprotected sex, you have to take the pill. For POSTINOR’s 2 tablets version; after taking the first pill, take the second tablet exactly after 12 hours. Take it as quickly as possible, the sooner the better!
Levonorgestrel Emergency Contraception Pills ‘ effectiveness depends on how many hours have passed since you had the unprotected sex. Ideally, it’s safer to take the drug after unprotected sex and within 24 hours. Therefore, to rule out any pregnancy option, it is essential to take the pill instantly instead of delaying it until later.
Side Effects Of This Levonorgestrel Pill
Common side effects of this emergency birth control pill include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Breast tenderness
- Vaginal bleeding
- Fatigue
Uncommon side effects are; Ectopic pregnancy; Acne and Flu symptoms.
Must Read: Vaginal Discharge Types & What They Mean (Infographic)
If you experience any of the listed side effects, or any other symptoms which appear abnormal or unusual, please consult your doctor!
Things You Must Know About Postinor
- This pill will not prevent you from contracting any sexually transmitted diseases
- You may arrive sooner than normal for your next menstrual period. It may be somewhat early or late, though. Go for a pregnancy test if it’s more than 1 week late, or if it’s exceptionally light.
- If you do not have a menstrual period after 3 weeks of taking the drug, you may be pregnant. Consult your doctor.
- It is intended as an emergency contraceptive. If you need to take repeated doses, you should talk to your doctor about using long-term methods of contraception instead.
- It does not abort pregnancy and therefore, useless if pregnancy has already been established.
Read Also: Health Benefits Of Eating Vaginal Discharge During Intercourse
Precautions
Care must be taken when using this drug under certain circumstances. Speak with your doctor if you have any of the following:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes mellitus
- Vascular heart disease
- Ischaemic heart disease
- Stroke
- Past history of breast cancer
- Malabsorption(for example caused by vomiting, severe diarrhoea, Crohn’s disease).
You can visit the Postinor official website for full details