Vikela 1.5 mg tablet, 1 ST

SPECIAL NOTES

We care about your well-being, which is why we attach great importance to correct application and advice. Shortly after your order you will receive a personal e-mail or phone call from us with questions so that we can ensure that you are familiar with the correct application. We ask you to reply to this e-mail as soon as possible so that we can send your order to you immediately.

Vikela® is an emergency contraceptive to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive method failure.

If taken in time, Vikela® prevents pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive method failure. It works by postponing ovulation. As a result, sperm and the fertilisable egg do not meet and pregnancy is prevented.

What is emergency contraception?

Emergency contraception is an emergency method to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse or failure of a contraceptive method.

When can emergency contraception be used?

This contraceptive method should be used as soon as possible after unprotected sexual intercourse or the failure of a contraceptive method: preferably within 12 hours, but never later than 72 hours (= 3 days) afterwards. It is more effective if it is used as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse. Vikela can only prevent pregnancy if you take it within 72 hours of unprotected sex. It will not work if you are already pregnant. If you have unprotected sex again after taking Vikela, it will not prevent a possible pregnancy.

Vikela has been shown to prevent 52% to 85% of expected pregnancies.

If you are worried about pregnancy for one of the following reasons:

• If you have had sexual intercourse without contraception;
• if you have forgotten to take the pill on time;
• if your partner's condom has broken, slipped or fallen off;
• if you fear that your intrauterine device ("coil") has been expelled ;
• if your vaginal pessary or cervical cap has slipped or been removed too early;
• if you are afraid that the timely interruption of sexual intercourse ("coitus interruptus") or contraception using the calendar method has not worked;
• after rape.

Vikela works by preventing your ovaries from releasing an egg. It cannot prevent the implantation of a fertilised egg in the womb. This tablet should only be used as an emergency method of contraception and not as regular contraception, as it is less effective than standard hormonal contraceptives ("the pill"). Vikela is not indicated for use before the first menstrual period (menarche).

Dosage form

tablet

How to use

• Vikela can be taken at any time during your menstrual cycle, provided that you are not already pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant. Do not chew the tablet, but swallow it whole with water.
• Take the tablet as soon as possible, preferably within 12 hours and no later than 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sexual intercourse. Do not delay taking the tablet. The tablet works best the sooner you take it after unprotected sexual intercourse. It can only prevent pregnancy if you take the tablet within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse.
• If you are using any of the medicines that can prevent Vikela from working properly (see section above "Taking Vikela with other medicines") or if you have taken any of these medicines in the past 4 weeks, Vikela may be less effective for you. Your doctor may prescribe another (non-hormonal) type of emergency contraception, i.e. a copper IUD. If this is not an option for you, or if you are unable to see your doctor immediately, you can take a double dose of Vikela (i.e. two tablets taken together at the same time).
• If you are already using a regular method of contraception such as the pill, you can resume taking it at your usual time.
• If you vomit within three hours of taking the tablet, you should take another tablet immediately. Contact your doctor or pharmacist for another tablet.
• After using an emergency contraceptive, use a local contraceptive method (condom, foaming agent, vaginal pessary) until your next period. If you have unprotected sexual intercourse again after using Vikela (even within the same cycle), the tablet will no longer have a contraceptive effect and there will again be a risk of becoming pregnant. If you are using a conventional contraceptive method such as an oral contraceptive (the "pill"), you should continue to take it as usual.
• If you normally take a hormonal contraceptive (the "pill"), continue taking the pill as usual after using Vikela. If there is no bleeding during the subsequent break, take a pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy.
• Your doctor can advise you on longer-term methods of contraception that are more effective in preventing you from becoming pregnant.
• If you continue to use your usual hormonal contraceptive, such as the pill, and do not have any bleeding in the pill-free interval, consult your doctor to rule out the possibility of pregnancy.

Ingredients

• What Vikela 1.5 mg contains - The active substance is: levonorgestrel.
• The other ingredients are: Lactose monohydrate, maize starch, povidone, highly dispersed anhydrous silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate.