Levest Pill

Buy Levest Online in the UK

Written by Clinical Pharmacist Tyson Wilkman

You can buy your Levest combined pill from our UK registered online doctor and pharmacy service. Complete the assessment and our doctor will issue you with a free prescription, if appropriate. This prescription is passed onto our pharmacy team who can process and ship it using the Royal Mails standard or next day delivery.

What is Levest?

Levest pills are a form of contraception known as hormonal contraception. This method of contraception uses two active ingredients, levonorgestrel (oestrogen) and ethinylestradiol (progestogen). These two ingredients prevent you from becoming pregnant, can improve premenstrual symptoms, and usually make your periods more regular, lighter, and less painful.

How does Levest work?

Combined contraceptive pills work in 3 ways to protect against pregnancy: by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg); thickening the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to reach the womb; and preventing thickening of the womb lining so a fertilised egg cannot grow in it.

Is Levest effective at preventing pregnancy?

Levest pills (combined pills) are over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy if taken correctly. This means fewer than 1 in 100 women taking the pill will fall pregnant in one year of use.

Levest Summary

Alternatives

Many different pills and contraceptive methods exist on the market. Each will have specific benefits and drawbacks for each individual depending on their situation and needs. Some women may tolerate one contraceptive better than another. You should speak to your doctor about which pill or method is the right one for you.

Some alternative contraceptive methods are:

• Other Combined Pills - Strengths may vary and produce different effects
• Progesterone Only Pills (mini pill) - Strengths may vary and produce different effects
• Contraceptive Injections
• Contraceptive Implants
• Barrier Contraception
• Emergency contraception

What are the side effects of the Contraceptive Pill?

While side effects are usually uncommon and mild in nature, it is best to be aware of any that may occur. Some of the most common side effects include mood swings, headaches, nausea, and breast tenderness.  

For a full list of side effects and more information, you can read the NHS Choices site on contraception. Alternatively, see the patient information leaflet for your pill.

What are the advantages of the Combined Oral Contraceptive?

The combined oral contraceptive can help to make periods lighter, less painful and more regular. When taken correctly the combined pill is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. It can also help reduce the risk of womb and ovarian cancer.

What are the disadvantages of the Combined Oral Contraceptive?

The combined oral contraceptive can cause side effects including breast pain, spotting, and nausea. Other side effects such as headaches and mood swings are also common.

What are the advantages of the Progesterone only contraceptive?

One advantage of the progestogen-only pill is that it has a lower likelihood of side effects because it does not contain oestrogen. It can also be used by women who are unable to take oestrogen. Women who are breastfeeding can take the progestogen-only pill at the same time.

What are the disadvantages of the Progesterone only contraceptive?

The mini pill has to be taken at the same time every day. If you are more than 3 hours late (or 12 hours for the desogestrel pill), it may not be effective. It may cause periods to be irregular, they may stop altogether or get more frequent.

Which pill is right for me?

Prescribers will take a thorough medical history before choosing the right contraceptive pill for you. For most people, the combined contraceptive pill works best. For those who are over 35, smoke, suffer from migraine or have other risk factors, the progesterone-only pill may be more suitable. Talk to your doctor to discuss the best course of action for contraception.

Am I protected against pregnancy straight away?

Some pills, if taken correctly, will provide protection immediately, while others take time to provide contraceptive cover. Refer to the patient information leaflet of your pill to find out when you are protected on your pill.

Do I still need to use a condom?

Although you will be covered against pregnancy with the pill, it is always advised to use a condom. This is to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted disease such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea. No contraceptive pill will protect against sexually transmitted infections.

I forgot to take my pill – what should I do?

You should always take your pill around the same time each day to ensure maximum contraceptive cover. Different pills vary in the amount of time you can delay your dose. Always refer to your prescribed medication’s patient information leaflet to find more detailed information relating to missed doses.

Where can I get the contraceptive pill in the UK?

In the UK, you should speak to a GP or visit a sexual health clinic if you would like to get the contraceptive pill prescribed. This is free via the NHS.

You can order the contraceptive pill online from Simple Online Pharmacy if you have already been prescribed it by your doctor. You must complete a medical assessment form for our doctors to review. They can use this to make sure it is safe and suitable for you to take. We offer delivery (including next working day options) via the Royal Mail. 

Content Reviewed: 14/01/2021

Levest side effects

All medicines can have side effects. Which, if any, you experience and the severity will differ from person to person.

Some common side effects (1-10%) may include:

• Nausea
• Weight gain
• Headaches
• Mood swings
• Sore breasts

Some uncommon side effects (0.1-1%) may include:

• Fluid retention
• Migraine
• Libido changes
• Breast enlargement

Rare side effects (>1 in 1000) can include increased risk of blood clots and breast cancer. Although rare, these are very serious and should you experience any signs of these you must seek medical attention immediately. Read the patient information leaflet for more information.

You should be aware of the information for each medicine you take contained in the patient information leaflet.

• Levest PIL

How to take Levest

Take one pill at the same time each day for 21 days consecutively. After 21 days have 7 days of not taking the pill.

The pills are marked with the day of the week. Try to follow this as closely as possible to ensure you have taken each days pill. It is best to start Levest on the first day of your period to be protected from pregnancy straight away.

Swallow each pill whole, with or without water. Do not crush or chew the pill. You may take them with or without food.

Vomiting or diarrhoea within 4 hours of taking this pill may affect its absorption. You should consult a health professional or reference the patient information leaflet for detailed instructions on what to do if this happens.

During the 7 pill-free days, you will experience a withdrawal bleed. This is similar to having your period. This will usually start on day 2-3 of taking no pill. If the pack has been taken correctly, you are still protected from pregnancy at this time. 

What to do if you miss your Levest Pill

If you have forgotten to take your pill or have missed your usual dosing time, the effectiveness of Levest can be affected. 

Less than 12 hours after pill was due:

If you were due to take your missed pill less than 12 hours ago you should take your missed pill straight away and then take your next dose at the same time as usual. This may mean taking 2 pills on the same day, this is okay. You will still be protected against pregnancy if this happens.

Greater than 12 hours after pill was due:

If you were due to take your missed dose more than 12 hours ago then protection from pregnancy may be compromised. Take your missed pill straight away and take your next pill at the usual time. You must use extra precautions (condoms) for the next 7 days of pills to be protected from pregnancy.

For more information on what to do if you miss a pill read the patient information leaflet.

Do not take Levest if you:

• Have had any allergic reactions to any of the ingredients
• Have had any previous blood clots or have a condition making you prone to blood clots
• Have had or a prone to strokes
• Have very high uncontrolled blood pressure
• Have had a migraine with aura
• Have had breast cancer

Other Medicines and Levest Pills

Some medicines may affect the blood levels of Levest, reducing its effectiveness. You should inform your doctor of any medicines you are currently taking or are taking in order to ensure there are no interactions.
Some examples of medicines with these risks are:

• Certain antibiotics
• Some epilepsy treatments
• St. Johns Wort
• Barbiturates
• Some antifungal medicines
• Some HIV/Hep C medicines

What is in Levest

The active substances are levonorgestrel (150mcg) and ethinylestradiol (30mcg).

The other ingredients are lactose monohydrate, maize starch, povidone k-25, sucrose, talc, calcium carbonate, povidone k-90, glycerin, macrogol 6000, titanium dioxide, magnesium stearate and carnauba wax.