Unwanted-72: Uses, How It Works, Side Effects
Also known as: Unwanted 72, Unwanted-72 tablet, Unwanted-72 1.5 mg, Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg, Emergency contraceptive pill
Unwanted-72 is a tablet containing 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel, an emergency contraceptive taken after unprotected sex, or when another method failed, to lower the chance of pregnancy. It is for emergency use only, not for regular contraception. It is not an abortion pill and does not protect against HIV or other infections.
- Active ingredient
- Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg
- Type of medicine
- Emergency contraceptive pills
- Used for
- Emergency contraception
- Starts working in
- It works only if taken before an egg is released, so take it as soon as possible; the label says within 72 hours (3 days)
- Effect lasts
- It is a single tablet and covers only the unprotected sex it was taken for
- With or without food
- Can be taken with or without food; follow the label
- Alcohol
- No special rule is stated; alcohol may make vomiting more likely, so ask a pharmacist
- Pregnancy
- It will not work if you are already pregnant, and it is not an abortion pill
- Habit-forming
- No
- Made by
- VERIFY on pack
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
On this page
- What is Unwanted-72 used for?
- How does Unwanted-72 work?
- How to take Unwanted-72
- Side effects of Unwanted-72
- Who should be careful
- Medicines and things that interact with Unwanted-72
- If someone takes too much
- Storage
- Regulatory status in India
- Other brands with the same medicine
- Other strengths and forms
- Common questions
What is Unwanted-72 used for?
Unwanted-72 is sold without a prescription. It is used in an emergency, to lower the chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex or a contraceptive failure.
- Lowering the chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex, or when another contraceptive failed or was not used correctly, as emergency contraception only
How does Unwanted-72 work?
Levonorgestrel is a progestogen. A single tablet mainly delays the release of an egg from the ovary, so there is no egg for sperm to meet. It does not work once an egg has been released or a pregnancy has started.
What happens in your body after you take it
You swallow the tablet
The tablet is swallowed with water, as soon as possible after unprotected sex. It dissolves in the gut and levonorgestrel is absorbed into the blood.
It travels in the blood
The medicine is carried around the body to the brain's hormone centre and the ovaries.
It acts on the hormone signals
Levonorgestrel acts on the hormone signals that control the cycle, delaying the surge that releases an egg.
Egg release is delayed
With no egg released at the usual time, sperm have nothing to fertilise. This works only if it is taken before the egg is released.
The body clears it
The liver breaks the medicine down and it leaves the body in a day or two. Your next period may come earlier or later than usual.
How to take Unwanted-72
Take Unwanted-72 as printed on the pack or as a pharmacist or doctor advises. It is a single tablet, taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex; the label says within 72 hours (3 days).
- It is a single tablet taken as soon as possible; it works better the sooner it is taken.
- It can be taken with or without food.
- If you vomit soon after taking it, within about 2 hours, ask a pharmacist or doctor whether you need another tablet.
- It is for emergencies only. Do not use it as regular contraception, and do not take extra tablets.
- If your next period is more than about a week late, do a pregnancy test and see a doctor.
Side effects of Unwanted-72
Side effects are usually mild and short-lived. They are listed on the pack and leaflet.
Uncommon or mild
- Changes in your next period: earlier, later, heavier or lighter, or spotting
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tiredness, headache or dizziness
- Breast tenderness
- Lower stomach pain
Rare but serious: get medical help
- Severe lower stomach pain, especially a few weeks after taking it, because pregnancy outside the womb (ectopic pregnancy) is possible. See a doctor urgently
- Swelling of the face, lips or throat, or trouble breathing (a severe allergic reaction). Get medical help immediately
- Vomiting soon after the tablet, because it may not have been absorbed. Ask a pharmacist or doctor whether another tablet is needed
Who should be careful
Emergency contraception is not a replacement for regular contraception. Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure.
When the label says not to use it
- Allergy to levonorgestrel or any ingredient of the tablet
- If you are already pregnant (it will not work and is not an abortion pill)
- It is for emergency use only and is less effective than regular contraception; frequent use can upset periods and cause side effects
- It is not an abortion pill: it will not end an existing pregnancy
- It does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections
- Do not take it if you are allergic to levonorgestrel or any ingredient of the tablet
- Tell a pharmacist or doctor first if you take medicines for epilepsy, tuberculosis (such as rifampicin) or HIV (such as efavirenz), because they can make it work less well
- If more time has passed than the label allows, ask a pharmacist or doctor about other emergency options, such as a copper coil
- See a doctor or health centre to choose a regular method of contraception
Medicines and things that interact with Unwanted-72
Some medicines can make the pill work less well. Tell the pharmacist or doctor about everything you take, including herbal remedies.
- Medicines for epilepsy (seizures)
- Rifampicin and other tuberculosis medicines
- Efavirenz and some other HIV medicines
- St John's wort and some other herbal products
If someone takes too much
Taking an extra tablet by mistake is unlikely to cause serious harm, but do not take more than the label says. If someone has taken much more than the label says, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital and take the pack with you.
Storage
Store below 30 C in a dry place, protected from light and moisture, in the original strip, and out of the reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date. Check the pack for the exact storage instructions.
Regulatory status in India
Sold in India without a prescription (over the counter). It is not an abortion pill. A Health Ministry draft proposes listing 0.75 mg and 1.5 mg levonorgestrel tablets in Schedule K with boxed warnings; the final position should be checked. Single-ingredient levonorgestrel is not on the CDSCO list of medicines banned under section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Unwanted-72 contains levonorgestrel only.
Other brands with the same medicine
Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg tablets are sold under other brand names. They contain the same medicine; check the label for the strength. Some older products contain 0.75 mg tablets taken in two doses, which is different, so read the pack.
Other strengths and forms
Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives are sold as a single 1.5 mg tablet and, in older products, as two 0.75 mg tablets. The strength is printed on the pack, so check the label of the one you have. Regular contraceptive pills are different medicines.
Common questions
Is Unwanted-72 an abortion pill?
No. It does not end an existing pregnancy. It works mainly by delaying the release of an egg, so it must be taken before ovulation to be useful. It will not work if you are already pregnant.
How soon after unprotected sex should I take it?
As soon as possible. The label says within 72 hours (3 days), and it works better the sooner it is taken. If more time has passed, ask a pharmacist or doctor about other options, such as a copper coil.
Can I use Unwanted-72 as regular contraception?
No. It is for emergencies only and is less effective than regular methods. Repeated use can disturb your periods. Speak to a doctor or health centre about a regular method, and use condoms to protect against infections.
What if I vomit after taking it?
If you vomit soon after taking the tablet, within about 2 hours, it may not have been absorbed. Ask a pharmacist or doctor whether you need to take another one.
Will it affect my next period?
It often does. Your next period may come earlier or later than usual, or be heavier, lighter or spotty. If it is more than about a week late, do a pregnancy test and see a doctor.
Does it protect against infections?
No. It does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections. If you are worried about infection, speak to a doctor or health centre about testing.
Sources
- Emergency contraception. NHS (UK)
- Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel 1.5 mg): label. DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine
- Health Ministry proposes Schedule K exemption, boxed warnings for levonorgestrel pills. Medical Dialogues