EHC COMPLETE Flashcards
API in Levonelle
Levonorgestrel 1.5mg
API in ellaOne
Ulipristal acetate 30mg
What are the 3 forms of emergency contraception?
Levonelle
ellaOne
Copper-bearing IUD (Non-hormonal)
List the 3 types of hormonal contraception from most effective to least effective
Copper-bearing IUD
ellaOne
Levonelle
When is pregnancy most likely in a woman’s cycle?
Pregnancy is possible at any point in the month, and most likely around the ovulation period.
Ovulation may occur between days 6-21 in cycles, but not all women have 28 day cycles.
Indications for Levonelle and ellaOne
After UPSI Hours since UPSI must be established
Episodes of UPSI in current cycle must be established after ejaculation on to external genitalia or after contraceptive failure
Give example of contraceptive failure
Split condom (male/female) Missed pills DDI with hormonal contraception Delayed contraceptive implant or injection Detached contraceptive patch Dislodged IUD Dislodged/early removal of diaphragm
Levonelle mechanism of action
Prevents ovulation and fertilisation
Discourages implantation
ellaOne mechanism of action
Delays ovulation
Age for Levonelle
Licensed OTC for ages 16 and over
Age for ellaOne
Licensed OTC for all women of childbearing age
Levonelle hours since UPSI licence
Licensed up to 72 hours after UPSI
ellaOne hours since UPSI licence
Licensed up to 120 hours after UPSI
Efficacy of UPA in ellaOne reduced when?
Efficacy of UPA reduced if any progesterone is taken in the 5 days post UPA (or before) Offer Levonelle (LNG) instead
Sources of progesterone
COC, POP, HRT, LARCs
Side effects of Levonelle
Headache Nausea Breast tenderness Lower abdominal pain Irregular bleeding Fatigue Dizziness Increased risk of ectopic pregnancy
Side effects of ellaOne
Headache Nausea Abdominal Pain Dysmenorrhoea Mild to moderate dizziness
Contraindications of Levonelle
Pregnancy
Bowel disease
Hepatic impairment
Enzyme inducers e.g. St John’s Wort, ritonavir, ciclosporin, griseofulvin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, barbituates
What to do if a patient is on an enzyme inducer drug and you must give them levonelle?
2nd dose levonelle 12 hours after (not licensed but is conservative practice - GP, PGD)
Contraindications of ellaOne
Pregnancy/suspected pregnancy
Severe hepatic impairment
Severe asthma uncontrolled by oral steroids
Breastfeeding (36hr/1 week abstention)
Drug interactions (CYP3A4 inducers, ritonavir (long term), levonorgesterel, hormonal contraception, progestogen-containing drugs)
How does progestogen affect ellaOne action?
Progestogen reduces the ability of UPA to delay ovulation.
It is unknown whether this reduces the effectiveness of UPA in preventing pregnancy.
Progestogen or progesterone-containing drugs taken before UPA may theoretically affect effectiveness
What action does a lady need to take if vomiting occurs after she takes EHC?
Take another dose/come back to pharmacy
What should you warn a woman about what may happen after she has EHC?
Pregnancy MAY occur but unlikely
If you vomit, come back to the pharmacy for another dose
Your next period may be late, heavy or light-spotting may occur
If next period is different or >5 days late (LNG) or >7 days late (UPA) perform a pregnancy test 3-4 weeks after UPSI
Seek medical advice if lower abdominal pain occurs
Late periods after EHC - how late and what to do?
If period >5 days late after taking Leveonelle OR
If period >7 days late after taking ellaOne
Perform pregnancy test 3-4 weeks after UPSI