Postinor-2 is an emergency pill only. Postinor-2 is not intended as a regular method of contraception. It is used to prevent pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. It is estimated that Postinor-2 will prevent 85% of expected pregnancies. 95% of expected pregnancies will be prevented if taken within the first 24 hours, declining to 58% if taken between 48 hours and 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.
It is not known whether Postinor-2 is effective if taken more than 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.
Postinor-2 will not prevent you from catching sexually transmitted diseases. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about why you are taking Postinor-2.
Before you take Postinor-2
Before you start treatment with Postinor-2, your doctor or pharmacist should:
Check you are not already pregnant if he/she suspects you may already have been pregnant before this occurrence of unprotected intercourse
Ask you if you are taking any other medicines (see Taking other medicines)
Ask if you suffer from high blood pressure
Advise you of the need for careful use of a barrier method of contraception until you have your next period
Advise you to see your doctor in three weeks time, especially if you have not had a period by then
Discuss the need for regular contraception
You should consult your doctor before you take it if:
You have diabetes mellitus (with kidney, eye or nerve damage, or vascular disease) - Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin or else the body tissues are not able to use the insulin present. This leads to hyperglycaemia (too much sugar in the blood)
You have ischaemic heart disease (heart disease caused by reduced blood flow in the blood vessels of the heart muscle)
You have suffered a stroke
You have had breast cancer
You have severe liver disease
If any of these conditions apply to you it may not be suitable for you to take Postinor-2
you have a disease of your gastro-intestinal tract(such as Crohn's disease) that interferes with the digestion and absorption of your food;
you are vomiting or have severe diarrhoea
If these conditions apply to you your doctor may recommend a higher dose.