New single dose Levonelle regimen
Levonelle, used for emergency hormonal contraception, has a new dosage regimen which is less
likely to lead to contraception failure as a result of women forgetting to take the second dose after 12 hours (PJ,
16 August, p198).
Instead of taking two 0.75mg
levonorgestrel tablets 12 hours apart, women will now take both tablets
as a single dose. The dose still has to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected
sexual intercourse.
The change, which applies to both non-prescription (Levonelle) and prescription
(Levonelle-2) presentations of the product, is being made because a World
Health Organization study into alternative dosage regimens found that
taking the two tablets together resulted in no
loss of efficacy and no
significant difference in side effects (PJ, 14 December 2002, p838).
It will take some time for packaging incorporating the new patient information
leaflet to reach full circulation. Until then, Schering will be partly
reliant on health professionals to advise women of the change. “We
are working with all those involved in the distribution of Levonelle
via pharmacy, GP or patient group direction channels to provide clear
and unambiguous advice to women about the product,” said Helen
Williams, product manager for Levonelle. |
