Levonorgestrel: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

How levonorgestrel is dosed

From the FDA label for Liletta (application NDA206229). Other levonorgestrel products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

The initial release rate of levonorgestrel (LNG) is approximately 20 mcg/day and declines progressively to approximately 6.5 mcg/day after 8 years; LILETTA can be removed at any time but must be removed by the end of the eighth year. ( 2.1 ) To be inserted into the uterine cavity with the provided inserter by a trained healthcare professional using strict aseptic technique. Follow insertion instructions exactly as described. ( 2.3 ) Re-examination and evaluation should be considered 4 to 6 weeks after insertion and during routine care, or more often if clinically indicated. ( 2.5 ) Figure 1a Figure 1b Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6: Close-up of Hemispherical Dome at Tip of Tube Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9: Releasing and Opening the Arms of the IUS Figure 10: Move LILETTA into the Fundal Position Figure 11: Releasing LILETTA from the Inserter Tube Figure 12 Figure 13 Figure 14: Removal of LILETTA 2. 1 Dosing Over Time LILETTA contains 52 mg of levonorgestrel (LNG). Initially, LNG is released in vivo at a rate of approximately 20 mcg/day. This rate decreases progressively to approximately 6.5 mcg/day after 8 years. The average in vivo release rate of LNG is approximately 13.5 mcg/day over a period of 8 years. For contraception, remove LILETTA by the end of the eighth year. LILETTA can be replaced at the time of removal with a new LILETTA if continued contraceptive…

Levonorgestrel side effects

The following serious or important adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the labeling: Ectopic Pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Intrauterine Pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Group A Streptococcal Sepsis (GAS) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or Endometritis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Perforation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Expulsion [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Ovarian Cysts [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Bleeding Pattern Alterations [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] The most common adverse reactions reported in clinical studies (> 10% participants) are vulvovaginal mycotic infections, vaginal bacterial infections, acne, and nausea or vomiting. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact AbbVie at 1-800-678-1605 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Study Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data described below reflect exposure of 1,751 generally healthy participants, 16 to 45 years of age, to LILETTA in a large, multi-center contraceptive study conducted in the US. Participants…

Every levonorgestrel product we track (8)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

What levonorgestrel pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Combination products containing levonorgestrel

A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.

• Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol
• Quasense
• Alesse
• Aviane-21
• Aviane-28
• Climara Pro
• Levlite
• Lo/Ovral Fe
• Loseasonique
• Lybrel
• Nordette-21
• Nordette-28