Levora Birth Control Pills

Table Of Contents

• What is Levora Birth Control
• Important information
• What to know before taking Levora birth control pills
• How to take Levora pills
• What happens when you forget to take a Levora pill?
• Can you have a Levora overdose?
• What to avoid while taking Levora
• Levora side effects
• What other medications affect Levora?

What is Levora Birth Control

Levora birth control comes in pill form and is an estrogen and progestin combination contraceptive that women take to prevent getting pregnant. It is a combination drug which has female hormones that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary).

Levora also increases the thickness of vaginal fluid to help prevent fertilization (the sperm reaching an egg). In addition, birth control pills also change the lining of the uterus to prevent attachment of a fertilized egg. A fertilized egg passes out of the body if it is unable to attach to the uterus.

Levora is called Nordette birth control pills in the United Kingdom.

Levora birth control might also be used for functions not listed in this medication guide.

Alternate Names of Levora: Nordette (in the UK), Microgynon, Levora 28, Levonorgestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol (Levora generic)

Important information

Consult with a doctor before taking birth control pills. Especially if you have recently had a baby, are pregnant, or are planning to have a baby.

Do not take birth control pills, including Levora / Nordette, if any of these are a concern:
Uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, a blood clotting disorder, circulation issues, diabetic issues with your eyes or kidneys, unusual vaginal bleeding, liver disease or liver cancer, acute migraine headaches, or if you’ve ever had breast or uterine cancer, jaundice due to birth control pills, a heart attack, a stroke, or a blood clot.

Taking birth control pills can raise your risk of:
heart attack, stroke, or blood clots, in case you are heavy, or particularly when you’ve certain other conditions.

Smoking can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot while taking birth control pills.

You must not take Levora if you are 35+ years old or smoke.

Taking Levora pills does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

What to know before taking Levora birth control pills

Taking birth control pills can raise your risk of heart attack, stroke, or blood clots. You’re more at risk if you smoke or have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. As mentioned above, consult your doctor before taking Levora or Nordette birth control pills.

Birth control pills should not be taken by you if you are over 35 years old and smoke.

Do not use birth control pills if you are pregnant or believe you might be pregnant. If you have recently had a baby, speak to your doctor before taking birth control pills.

If you have any of the following you should not be taking birth control pills:

• gallbladder disease
• uncontrolled or untreated high blood pressure
• tuberculosis
• circulation problems or blood-clotting disorder
• diabetes
• liver cancer or liver disease
• varicose veins and/or high blood pressure
• underactive thyroid
• a history of abnormal mammogram, lumps, fibrocystic breast disease or nodules
• problems with kidneys, eyes or circulation caused by diabetes
• severe migraine headaches
• heart disease
• history of irregular menstrual cycles

Please note that the above list is not a full complete list and you should consult your physician or doctor for medical advice before taking any form of birth control.

Birth control pills can also be passed through the breast milk and slow down the production of breast milk so do not use birth control while breast feeding a baby.

How to take Levora pills

Follow all directions in your prescription label. Don’t take birth control pills in smaller or larger quantities than recommended.

You may have to use backup birth control, like abstinence or condoms, when you begin taking the pill. Follow the directions of your physician.

Take one pill at the same time, every day, 24 hours apart.

Levora 28 comes with 7 reminder pills (also called sugar pills). These pills contain no medicine, but will help you remember to take the pills at the same time every day. 1-3 days after starting the reminder pills, your period will begin. It should finish by the time the remainder pills are done, which is when you begin the next pack. When using Levora 28, you should have a pill to take everyday. When one pack ends, begin the next.

Levora 21 does not contain any reminder pills. So after you finish the pack of Levora 21, wait 7 days without taking any pills (which is when you’ll have your period), and then begin your next pack.

Tell your physician if bleeding is quite significant or if it occurs outside of the 7 day reminder pill cycle.

Inform your doctor and use a backup birth control if you experience diarrhea or acute vomiting (these symptoms can prevent birth control pills from working).

If you’ll be on bed rest or require medical tests or surgery, you may have to discontinue using the pills for a brief time. The Surgeon or any Physician who treats you should be aware that you’re using birth control pills.

Since a prescription is required, you’ll need to see your physician regularly while taking birth control pills.

Keep at room temperature away from heat and moisture.

What happens when you forget to take a Levora pill?

If you missed a Levora pill, your actions will depend on how many pills you’ve missed and how far into the birth control package you are.

If you missed one Levora pill, take the missed Levora pill as soon as you can and then take the next pill at your usual time. This may mean you take two pills in one day. If you missed two Levora pills or more, your cycle will be thrown off. Your next actions will depend on your own cycle, so follow the patient instructions supplied with your medication or ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Be aware that if you forgot a Levora pill, you may have a chance of becoming pregnant.

You will likely need to use back-up birth control for a short time period to prevent pregnancy.

You may not have a period during the month if you miss pills. Alternately, your period may arrive at unscheduled times.

If you frequently forget to take your birth control pills as directed, contact your doctor and consider switching to another form of birth control.

If you miss a reminder pill during the 7 day cycle it will have no effect, just skip it and continue with the rest of the pack until empty.

Can you have a Levora overdose?

It is possible to overdose on Levora if you take more than one pill within 24 hours. A slight overdose, like taking two pills in one day – one time, may cause stomach pains.

If you overdose on Levora, or take more Levora doses than your doctor recommends, you may experience severe nausea, vomiting, unusual vaginal bleeding, and other negative effects. Contact your doctor to discuss further.

If you are experiencing severe pains, find emergency medical attention. US residents should call the Poison Help line at 1 (800) 222-1222. Canada residents should call a provincial poison control centre.

What to avoid while taking Levora

Don’t smoke while taking birth control pills, particularly when you’re 35 or older.

Birth control pills will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases–including HIV and AIDS. Abstinence or using a condom are the only ways to shield yourself from these disorders.

Your doctor may recommend foods to avoid while taking these birth control pills. Your diet and any other medications that you’re taking should be discussed with your doctor or pharmacist prior to taking Levora.

Levora side effects

Although rare, get emergency medical help if you have signs of difficulty breathing, hives, an allergic reaction, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

If your Physician has prescribed Levora or Nordette to you, they feel that the benefit outweighs the risk of any side effects. Some of these are unlikely, however here is a list of common Levora side effects:

• vomiting, nausea
• breast tenderness or swelling
• changes in appetite or weight
• difficulties with contact lenses
• vaginal itching or discharge
• changes in your menstrual periods
• reduced sex drive
• raise in blood pressure

If you experience any of these Levora side effects, discontinue use and call your physician:

• pain in the jaw or shoulder or chest pain
• excessive perspiration
• vision problems
• a change in the pattern or severity of migraine head aches
• a breast lump
• symptoms of melancholy– mood changes, sleep difficulties, weakness, exhausted sensation

This isn’t an entire list of Levora side effects and others may occur.

Call your physician if you experience any negative Levora side effects or if you miss 2 periods in a row.

What other medications affect Levora?

Some drugs can make birth control pills less effective, which might lead to pregnancy. Birth control pills may affect other drugs as well. Not all potential interactions are recorded in this medication guide. Inform your doctor about all medications you use, and those that you begin or quit using during your birth control pill use. Also, give a list of all your medications to any health care provider who treats you.