Postinor: instructions for use. Escapelle, Postinor: side effects, analogues How effective are Postinor tablets?

In the sexual life of every couple, at least once an unforeseen situation happened: a condom broke, a woman forgot to take a pill that protects against unwanted pregnancy on time, or the partner, in a fit of passion, failed to control his emotions.

It would seem that conception is inevitable, but this is not so. Even if the incident occurred on the days most favorable for pregnancy, the situation can be corrected with the help, the most popular of which is Postinor.

Effect of Postinor on a woman’s body

This drug and its analogues (Microlut, Escapelle, etc.) are characterized by a triple mechanism of action. The active substance of Postinor is an artificial analogue of the main pregnancy hormone - progesterone - levonorgestrel, contained in the drug in large quantities (0.75 mg).

Thanks to its effect on the body, Postinor blocks or delays ovulation, preventing the release of a mature egg from the ovary into the fallopian tube, prevents the fertilization of the egg by sperm, making the cervical mucus thicker to prevent sperm from penetrating into the uterine cavity, and changes the usual structure of the endometrium lining the woman’s uterus, thereby making implantation impossible. If the implantation of a fertilized egg into the uterine wall has already occurred, Postinor will not stop the pregnancy process. If you have experienced a delay in your period after taking Postinor, we recommend that you learn more about this.

When to use Postinor?

It is recommended to use Postinor only in emergency cases (rape, broken condom, prolapse of the uterine device, missing an oral contraceptive, etc.). In foreign countries it can only be purchased with a prescription, but in Russia Postinor and its analogues are sold freely, which in fact is the reason for the frequent abuse of this drug, leading to problems in the female reproductive system.

If you use Postinor in accordance with the instructions, taking into account all the side effects and contraindications, no more than once every six months (and preferably as little as possible), as a rule, it should not have any serious consequences on a woman’s health. But if you neglect the instructions and often use the products without consulting a gynecologist, you can greatly harm the body, even leading to infertility.

How to use Postinor? Postinor instructions

Postinor is taken on any day of the menstrual cycle. The package of the drug contains 2 tablets, which should be taken with a break of 12 hours. To achieve maximum effect, the first tablet should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, but no later than 72 hours.

The sooner you drink it, the less chance you have of an unwanted pregnancy. The second tablet is taken 12 hours after the first. If you experience vomiting within 2 hours after taking Postinor, it is better to repeat the drug.

The time for transporting a mature egg and its implantation into the uterine wall takes about 5 days, so the effectiveness of post-coital contraception greatly depends on the time of administration after intercourse. If more than 4 days have passed since the unprotected contact, there is no point in drinking Postinor, because he won't help anymore.

Postinor contraindications

A special indication for taking the drug is the presence of a regular menstrual cycle. Postinor is prohibited for use by women who have any liver or gallbladder disease, hypersensitivity to any component of the drug, or hereditary diseases (glucose-galactose malabsorption, lactase deficiency, lactose intolerance).

It is contraindicated to use Postinor more than once every 3-6 months, since frequent use of this drug increases the risk of developing ovarian dysfunction, which can lead to infertility. Postinor should not be used by pregnant and lactating women.

Side effects of taking Postinor

Any medicine has side effects, and Postinor is a strong, high-dose hormonal drug, which, if used frequently or incorrectly, can cause the development of serious diseases.

Common side effects of taking Postinor:

• Disorders of the intestines and digestive system, manifested by diarrhea, vomiting;
• Headache, dizziness;
• Lethargy, weakness;
• Allergic reactions

Reproductive side effects:

• Uterine bleeding;

A common side effect after consuming Postinor is the appearance. They arise due to a sharp increase in gestagens in the body, which are responsible for lining the inner layer of a woman’s uterus.

• Impaired ovarian function leading to infertility;

If Postinor is used too often, constant bleeding can cause depletion of the ovaries and impair their function, as well as provoke anemia.

• Dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, infertility;

Another serious side effect from taking Postinor is the development in a woman of (pain during menstruation), (lack of menstruation) and even. Women who use emergency contraception may experience disruptions to their menstrual cycle, hormonal imbalances, and severe pain during menstruation.

If after taking the drug Postinor for 2 weeks or more, you must consult a gynecologist to rule out pregnancy or the negative effect of the drug on the reproductive system.

Postinor: instructions for use and reviews

In no case!
The sooner, the better. The sooner you take the pill, the greater the chance of preventing pregnancy.
Postinor is a solution to the problem with the help of a tablet: just 2 tablets and you will not need any abortion.
Some people call emergency contraception pills "the morning after pill." But this does not oblige you to wait until the next day. You can take the Postinor tablet immediately or use it for up to three days after unprotected sexual intercourse (sex), or if you are afraid that the contraceptive method you are using has not been justified.

How to take POSTINOR?

The package contains 2 tablets.
The first tablet should be taken no later than 72 hours after unprotected sex, the second - 12 hours after the first.

Take Postinor as soon as possible! The sooner, the better!

The sooner you take Postinor, the more likely it will be effective. Ideally, you should try to take your first pill within 24 hours of unprotected sex, as this is when emergency contraception is most effective.

The effectiveness of emergency contraception depends on the number of hours that have passed since unprotected sex.

When can you take POSTINOR?

POSTINOR is a safe way to prevent pregnancy within 72 hours after unsuccessful use of a contraceptive or unprotected sexual intercourse (sex), which has a low incidence of side effects.
It is highly unlikely that you will experience any serious or long-term side effects after taking Postinor tablet. You can usually continue with your day as usual.

Do not take POSTINOR:

If you are already pregnant, because it will not work, although it will not harm you or your fetus.
If you are allergic to levonorgestrel or other ingredients of Postinor.

Postinor will not protect you from HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

How often can I take POSTINOR?

This is not a regular method of contraception. Try to use it as little as possible, only in emergency cases. But never forget: this method has far fewer side effects and health risks than abortion pills or medical abortion.

Strictly speaking, Postinor should not be taken more than once during one menstrual cycle. If Postinor is used more than once during the menstrual cycle, it will most likely disrupt your menstrual cycle.
Emergency contraception does not work as well as regular birth control methods. Your doctor, nurse, or family planning clinic can tell you about long-term contraceptive methods that are more effective in preventing you from becoming pregnant.

If you are pregnant

If you are already pregnant, then the Postinor tablet simply will not work, and besides, it will not harm either the existing pregnancy or the fetus.
If you think you are pregnant, see your doctor or family planning clinic as soon as possible.

If you have already taken Postinor once since your last period and now find that you are pregnant, do not take Postinor again.

What should I do if I vomited after taking Postinor?

Some women (about 1 in 100) may experience nausea or vomiting after taking Postinor.

If you vomit within 3 hours after taking the Postinor tablet, you must take another Postinor tablet.

If vomiting occurs more than 3 hours after taking the Postinor tablet, there is no need to take the Postinor tablet again.

How will I know if the POSTINOR tablet has worked?

You will know that the Postinor pill has worked when your next menstrual cycle starts and your cycle is normal.

When should you see a doctor?

• If your period is more than 5 days late or if it is unusually heavy or light.
• If you are still concerned that you are pregnant.
• If you have sudden or unusual pain in the lower abdomen and your period is late.
• If you have any doubts about your health or the contraceptive method that is most suitable for you.

1 tablet contains 750 mcg , as well as colloidal anhydrous silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, potato and corn starch, talc, lactose monohydrate.

Release form

Tablets packaged in blisters of 2 pcs. The package contains 1 blister.

Postinor birth control pills are flat, approximately 6 mm in diameter, chamfered, almost white in color, with the inscription “INOR” engraved on one side.

pharmachologic effect

The drug helps prevent pregnancy, causes effects in the body similar to the action of ovarian corpus luteum hormones, and also suppresses the effects caused by .

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

What is Postinor?

Postinor is a remedy with a pronounced antiestrogenic And progestogenic activity. These properties of the drug complicate the process of conception at an early stage and help prevent pregnancy.

Pharmacodynamics

It is not known exactly how Postinor works. Contained in tablets levonorgestrel prevents ovulation and fertilization of the egg if UPC (unprotected sexual intercourse) occurs before ovulation (when the probability of fertilization is highest).

Levonorgestrel also causes changes in the endometrium, which make it difficult for a fertilized egg to penetrate the mucous layer of the uterine cavity. In cases where the attachment of the fertilized egg has already begun, the drug does not give the expected effect.

Wikipedia states that the mechanism of action levonorgestrel is implemented most successfully when the size of the dominant follicle is 17 mm. The drug best suppresses ovulation no later than three days before it.

Efficacy of tablets

The probability of pregnancy after using Postinor tablets is 15-42%. The effect after administration is better, the less time has passed after NPC.

If the drug was taken within 24 hours, its effectiveness is 95%, in the next 24 hours it decreases to 85%, on the third day - to 58%. There is no point in taking the drug later than 72 hours.

Is Postinor harmful?

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption in the digestive canal when taken orally is rapid and complete. In the body, the drug binds to SHBG and albumin: approximately 65% ​​of the dose taken is associated with SHBG, only 1.5% is in free form.

96 minutes after taking the tablet, plasma concentration levonorgestrel reaches 14.1 ng/ml. Then there is a 2-stage decrease in Cmax.

The drug is well distributed in tissues and organs.

Its biotransformation occurs in the liver. The resulting metabolic products (conjugated glucuronates) are pharmacologically inactive.

Levonorgestrel excreted from the body exclusively in the form of metabolic products. About half of the dose taken is excreted in the urine, the rest in feces. The value of the T1/2 indicator varies from 9 to 14.5 hours.

When Postinor is taken by a nursing woman, about 0.1% of the dose enters the body of an infant with milk.

Indications for use

“Emergency” contraception in case of failure of the chosen method of contraception or after NPC.

Contraindications

A contraindication to the use of the drug is intolerance levonorgestrel or any of the auxiliary ingredients contained therein.

The drug is used in pediatric practice. Data regarding its use in girls under 16 years of age are limited, therefore Postinor is not recommended for use in adolescence without medical supervision.

Side effects of Postinor: why is the drug dangerous?

In the annotation for the drug, the manufacturer reports that the most common reaction to the use of levonorgestrel is nausea .

In addition, the following side effects of Postinor were recorded during the studies:

• dizziness;
• headache;
• And vomit ;
• nausea;
• not related to the menstrual cycle ;
• disruption of the menstrual cycle (namely, a delay in menstruation after taking the pill for more than a week);
• increased fatigue.

Post-marketing observations have shown that sometimes (rather rarely) the use of the drug may be accompanied by: hypersensitivity reactions ( , the appearance of skin rashes, skin itching), , pain in the pelvic area and/or abdomen, swelling of the face.

Why is Postinor harmful?

Reviews of side effects allow us to conclude that, according to women, the most unpleasant phenomena after taking Postinor are:

• bleeding (in some reviews it is mentioned that, not knowing how to stop the bleeding after Postinor, the woman was forced to seek medical help);
• severe hormonal imbalance and severe cycle disorders (many cases have been described when, after taking Postinor, there are no periods for several cycles; for some, it takes up to a year to restore the regularity of menstruation).

This list can include the appearance of “male” characteristics, metabolic disorders And acne .

Sometimes the consequences of taking the Postinor tablet manifest themselves in the form of miscarriage of subsequent pregnancies and infertility.

To minimize harm to the body, the drug should be used no more than 3-4 times a year.

Postinor tablets: instructions for use

How to take Postinor?

The instructions for Postinor indicate that the contraceptive effect is ensured by taking two tablets (provided that the first tablet is taken in the first 3 days after NPC). A twelve-hour interval is maintained between doses 1 and 2.

If within 3 hours after taking the drug (regardless of whether 1 or 2 doses), you should immediately take another 750 mcg levonorgestrel (3rd tablet).

The product can be used in any phase of the menstrual cycle. A prerequisite is that the woman does not have a delay in menstruation.

After taking the pills, before the start of your next period, it is recommended to use barrier contraception (cervical cap or condoms).

Taking the drug is not a contraindication for continuing the use of hormonal agents for regular contraception.

How can you tell if the drug has worked?

The tablet begins to act immediately after dissolution and absorption in the intestinal tract.

Evidence that the drug has “worked” is menstruation.

Bleeding after use rules out pregnancy in approximately 95-85% of cases if it begins 3-6 days after taking the pill.

What might a delay after Postinor indicate?

If after using the drug there is no bleeding or bleeding begins later than the specified period, the woman is recommended to undergo a gynecological examination to rule out pregnancy.

You should consult a doctor not only if your period is late, but also if, after taking Postinor, the consequences are expressed in the form of bleeding that is unusually heavy for a woman. The causes of such bleeding may be exceeding the recommended dose and negative effects levonorgestrel on endometrium of the uterus .

Sometimes women note that they have brown discharge after taking it. The phenomenon is considered normal if the discharge appears within a few days, thus ending the menstruation artificially induced by the pills. However, for some women, spotting may continue for up to a month.

Most likely, this is an individual reaction to severe stress on the reproductive system, but only a doctor can accurately diagnose the cause of the discharge.

Causes for concern are menstrual bleeding lasting more than 14 days, lack of full periods, the appearance of clots or heavy brown discharge, and pain.

When should I get my period after taking the pill?

It is impossible to say exactly when your period will begin after using Postinor. The tablets contain a large amount levonorgestrel , therefore, even a single use of the drug does not leave its mark on the body.

In most cases, after taking the drug, the menstrual cycle remains the same. Sometimes bleeding may begin earlier or slightly later. Normally, the delay should not be more than 5-7 days. Otherwise, pregnancy should be excluded.

After reception levonorgestrel A woman is advised to visit a doctor who will help her choose the most suitable method of regular contraception.

Is it worth taking Postinor if NPK occurs during menstruation?

Women with irregular cycles are more likely to become pregnant even during menstrual bleeding. The advisability of using “urgent” contraception if UPC occurred during menstruation can be determined by a doctor.

How often can you take Postinor?

To the question “How often can you take emergency contraceptive pills?” Doctors answer that drugs like Postinor are not intended for systematic use. They are used only in emergency situations and no more than 3-4 times a year.

Overdose

Clinical picture of overdose hormonal agents emergency contraception not described. Most likely, the first signs of poisoning will be nausea and breakthrough bleeding.

Postinor does not have a specific antidote.

Interaction

In combination with liver enzyme inducers, there is an increase in metabolism levonorgestrel .

The effectiveness of drugs that contain levonorgestrel , may be reduced when used simultaneously with:

• barbiturates ;
• preparations of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum);
• rafibutin ;
• ritonavir ;
• phenytoin ;

Women taking these drugs should consult their doctor before taking Postinor.

Levonorgestrel-containing drugs may cause increased toxicity , which is associated with a possible suppression of its metabolism.

Terms of sale

On prescription.

Storage conditions

Tablets should be stored at a temperature of 15-25°C.

Best before date

special instructions

“Emergency” contraception are intended for occasional use and do not replace a regular method of birth control.

“Emergency” contraception does not always prevent pregnancy. If there is doubt about the timing of NPC, or if unprotected intercourse occurred more than 72 hours during the same cycle, the possibility that a fertilized egg has already implanted in the uterine wall cannot be ruled out.

In this regard, the use of tablets during the next sexual intercourse may be ineffective. If the cycle is delayed by more than 5 days, if atypical bleeding develops on the day of the expected menstruation, as well as if there are other reasons to suspect pregnancy, the fact of pregnancy should be excluded.

After reception levonorgestrel there is a risk of developing ectopic pregnancy . The absolute likelihood of this is low, since the drug interferes with ovulation and fertilization.

Ectopic pregnancy may persist despite the occurrence of uterine bleeding.

Most likely in women who have experienced fainting or severe abdominal pain, as well as a history of tubal surgery, , or PID .

Based on this, patients at risk are not recommended to take Postinor tablets.

Taking the pills may slightly change the pattern of bleeding, but in most cases the next menstruation begins a maximum of a week after the usual date.

If menstrual bleeding is delayed by more than 5 days, it is necessary to exclude the fact of pregnancy.

The drug should not be used by women with serious liver pathologies. The effectiveness of the tablets may be adversely affected by severe malabsorption (eg, granulomatous enteritis ).

For women suffering from similar diseases, before undergoing emergency contraception It is recommended to consult a doctor.

Postinor tablets contain lactose, which should be warned about in patients with lactase deficiency And disorders of glucose and galactose absorption .

The drug is ineffective as regular contraception and is not an alternative to it. It should also be remembered that this remedy does not replace the necessary precautions related to protection against STD .

If a woman applies for repeated use of Postinor, the doctor should recommend that she use long-term methods of birth control.

Research on Impact levonorgestrel The ability to drive a vehicle or operate machinery was not tested, but one should remember about the possibility of dizziness. levonorgestrel. Only in the first case its concentration is 1.5 mg/tablet, and in the second - 0.75 mg/tablet. That is Escapelle in the case of NPC, it should be taken once, and Postinor should be taken in 2 doses with an interval of 12 hours.

Which is better - Zhenale or Postinor?

Active substance Genale - synthetic antiprogestin . The substance is a derivative norethisterone and is used to terminate early pregnancy. Its content in each tablet is 10 mg.

Mifepristone is non-hormonal agent , which reversibly and transiently blocks exclusively peripheral PRs (receptors progesterone ). Depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle, the drug prevents the release of luteotropin , delays or blocks ovulation and causes disturbances in the transformation of the endometrium, which, in turn, complicates the implantation of the egg.

WHO data indicates that the use of low doses mifepristone more effective and safe than emergency contraception using levonorgestrel .

In addition, it has been experimentally proven that the contraceptive effect mifepristone does not decrease with increasing interval between NPC and administration Genale up to 120 hours. This is also a significant advantage of the latter over Postinor.

If necessary “urgent” contraception it is enough to take 1 tablet during the first 72 hours Genale . The drug is used 2 hours before meals.

What is better - Postinor or Ginepristone?

Active substance Gynepristone is also mifepristone at a concentration of 10 mg/tablet. Thus, the drug has the same advantages over Postinor as Genale .

The drug is highly effective, characterized by the absence of significant side effects and can be used for occasional contraception in women with irregular sex life.

In addition, the drug is more affordable compared to Postinor. Its price in Russian pharmacies is approximately 100-120 rubles lower than the price of Postinor.

Postinor and alcohol

Is it possible to combine Postinor tablets with alcohol? There are no recommendations in this regard in the manufacturer's instructions.

However, it should be remembered that alcohol is not compatible with the vast majority of pharmaceutical products.

Drinking alcoholic beverages in combination with Postinor can cause a sharp dilation, and then an equally sharp constriction of blood vessels, which in turn will complicate the woman’s condition when the drug provokes rejection of the uterine mucosa.

In addition, alcohol increases the level of liver enzymes, thereby speeding up metabolism. And since biotransformation levonorgestrel is carried out in the liver, the contraceptive effect of Postinor while drinking alcohol can be very questionable.

An emergency can happen to anyone - a torn condom, a forgotten birth control pill or the use of unreliable methods of contraception, so-called interrupted coitus - these are mistakes that sometimes lead... to an unwanted pregnancy.

When should you take Postinor?

It is for these cases that the emergency contraception method - postinor or escapelle - is suitable.

Pharmacies dispense two drugs whose tasks include preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg - these are Postinor and Escapelle. And in order not to harm your health, you should know how to take postinor or escapelle correctly.

Extremely high levels of hormones (mainly progestins) cause the cervical mucus to thicken, making it difficult for sperm to reach the egg.
This also leads to a change in the thickness of the lining of the uterus, and implantation of a fertilized egg becomes very unlikely.
The time it takes for the egg to leave the ovary increases and it moves more slowly than usual.
For emergency contraception, the pills must be taken no later than 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse. The drug Postinor consists of two tablets: the first should be swallowed as soon as possible after the incident, and the second 12 hours after the first. Escapelle, in turn, is only one tablet, which should be taken 1 time, also as early as possible, but no later than within three days after sexual intercourse.

Postinor effectiveness

Unfortunately, this, like any other method of birth control, does not provide a 100% guarantee against conception. The sooner you take the first pill, the more likely it is that it will work properly and prevent pregnancy. The most effective will be to take postinor tablets within the first 12 hours. If you take the pill immediately after sex, or within 24 hours, the effectiveness is almost 100 percent. Then, over time it decreases. Within 72 hours it drops to 50%.

SIDE EFFECTS OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION

A powerful dose of hormones contained in “after” pills cannot but leave consequences. The most common ailments complained of by women using this method are:

• nausea and vomiting
• headache
• bloody issues
• diarrhea
• fatigue

The most common side effects are nausea and sometimes vomiting. Bleeding or spotting may occur, but is usually minor. Sometimes women also complain of headaches, fatigue and drowsiness, and chest pain. All these symptoms should disappear within a few days of taking the pill. In case of severe bleeding, consult a doctor.
If Postinor was taken before ovulation, then heavy menstrual bleeding can be expected in the near future. But if you take the pill already in the luteal phase, then it is possible that there will be an extension of the cycle and a delay period. Is your period delayed by more than two weeks? As a precaution, take a pregnancy test.

Contraindications for taking Postinor

• blood clotting disorders,
• vascular diseases,
• liver and gallbladder diseases,
• undiagnosed vaginal bleeding,
• mammary cancer,
• pregnancy and suspected pregnancy.

Dosage and regimen of Postinor:
You need to take Postinor according to the instructions - take the first tablet as soon as possible after sexual intercourse (but no later than 72 hours after it). The second tablet is taken 12 hours after the first. If vomiting occurs after taking Postinor, if more than 2 hours have already passed after taking the first tablet, nothing needs to be done. The tablet had time to be absorbed in the stomach.
If vomiting occurs before 2 hours, then you need to take 1 more Postinor tablet from the package. And after 12 hours then take the third one.

How often can I take Postinor?

Remember that the effects of emergency contraception are extremely strong, and doctors warn that you should not take Postinor more than once during one cycle. This method should not be used as a regular means of preventing pregnancy, but should only be used in truly special situations.

Postinor for abortion

It is very important to remember that Postinor prevents pregnancy and is not a means of abortion! You cannot take Postinor to induce an abortion!

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), contraceptives used after sexual intercourse prevent implantation, but do not cause miscarriage of an already implanted embryo.
Postinor should not be taken more than once a month, otherwise the hormonal regulation of the woman’s body will be disrupted and this will lead to menstrual irregularities and even infertility.
Postinor can only be used in exceptional circumstances; it is not a routine method of contraception.
The effectiveness of postinor decreases over time.