Side effects of medicines, including the morning after pill can impact people in different ways, some people might not experience them at all. It is important that you understand the potential side effects that LoviOne or other emergency contraceptive pills may cause, and how you can tell these apart from more serious symptoms that may require medical attention.
Side effects of Levonorgestrel
Not everyone will experience side effects when taking LoviOne or other levonorgestrel-based emergency contraceptive pills, however some people will.
The following symptoms are classed as very common when taking levonorgestrel, which means they affect more than 1 in 10 people who take it:
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Irregular bleeding
- Lower abdominal pain
- Tiredness
- Headaches
The symptoms listed below are classed as common side effects for levonorgestrel, which means they affect less than 1 in 10 people who take it:
- Being sick (vomiting)
- Variation to normal menstrual cycle (it could be a few days early or late)
- Irregular bleeding or spotting
- Tender breasts
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling dizzy
Very rare (affecting less than 1 in 10,000 people) side effects of levonorgestrel include a rash, hives or itchy skin, swelling of the face, pelvic pain, painful periods and abdominal pain.
Side effects of Ulipristal Acetate
Some of the side effects of ulipristal acetate are similar to those experienced with levonorgestrel, however some are different, and the prevalence varies between the two.
Common side effects (affecting more than one in 10 people but less than one in 100 people) of ulipristal acetate can include:
- Mood changes
- Headache
- Feeling dizzy
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal or pelvic pain or discomfort
- Muscle aches or back pain
- Breast tenderness
- Painful period
- Tiredness
Some of the uncommon side effects (affecting more than one in 100 people but less than one in 1,000 people) of ulipristal acetate include:
- Diarrhoea, heartburn, wind, dry mouth
- Unusual or irregular vaginal bleeding
- Heavy/ prolonged periods premenstrual syndrome, vaginal irritation or discharge, lesser or greater sex drive.
- Hot flushes
- Appetite changes, emotional disorders, anxiety, agitation, trouble sleeping, sleepiness, migraine, visual disturbances.
- Influenza-acne, skin lesions, itching-fever, chills, malaise.
Rare (affecting less than 1 in 1,000 people) side effects of ulipristal acetate include:
- Genital pain or itching, pain during sex, rupture of an ovarian cyst, unusually light period
- Loss of concentration, vertigo, shaking, disorientation, fainting
- Unusual sensation in eye, red eye, sensitivity to light
- Dry throat, disturbance in taste
- Allergic reactions such as a rash, hives or swelling of the face
- Feeling thirsty
