📋 Indications & Clinical Dosage
*Emergency contraception:*
Females of childbearing potential: 1.5 mg for 1 dose, taken as soon as possible after coitus, preferably within12 hours but no later than after 72 hours.
*Oral Contraception:*
Females of childbearing potential: 1 tablet daily starting on day 1 of the cycle then continuously, dose is to be taken at the same time each day, if administration delayed for 3 hours or more it should be regarded as a 'missed pill'.
⛔ Contraindications
Acute porphyrias, history of breast cancer but can be used after 5 years if no evidence of disease and non hormonal contraceptive methods unacceptable, severe arterial disease, undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
⚠️ Precautions & Warnings
Active trophoblastic disease (until return to normal of urine- and plasma gonadotrophin concentration), arterial disease, functional ovarian cysts, history of jaundice in pregnancy, malabsorption syndromes, pastectopic pregnancy, sex-steroid dependent cancer, systemic lupus
erythematosus with positive (or unknown) anti phospholipid antibodies, severe hepatic impairment, overdue menstrual bleeding, unprotected intercourse more than 72 hours previously in current menstrual cycle. Patients who still become pregnant should be monitored for ectopic pregnancy.
⚠️ Adverse Reactions / Side Effects
Depression, headache, nausea, vomiting, breast discomfort, breast tenderness, changes in libido, disturbances of appetite, dizziness, fatigue, menstrual irregularities and skin disorders.
With intra-uterine use: Changes in the pattern and duration of menstrual bleeding (spotting or prolonged bleeding), abdominal pain, acne, alopecia, back pain, breast pain, expulsion, hirsutism, migraine, nervousness, pelvic pain, peripheral oedema and salpingitis. With intra-uterine use: Abdominal distension, cervicitis, eczema, pelvic inflammatory disease, pruritus, skin hyperpigmentation
📚 Official Regulatory & Clinical References
- Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP): Drug Registration, S.R.O. Price Gazettes & National Essential Medicines List (NEML).
- World Health Organization (WHO): Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (ATC/DDD Index).
- Formulary Standards: British National Formulary (BNF) & Pakistan National Formulary (PNF) guidelines.