USEFUL INFORMATION ON EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION

WHAT IS EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION? This brochure holds important information on emergency contraception. We advise you to also read the package insert of your emergency contraceptive. An emergency contraceptive method, when used timely after unprotected or inadequately protected intercourse, has a high likelihood of preventing an unwanted pregnancy.

In Switzerland there are three possibilities for emergency contraception: Hormonal emergency contraception: NorLevo® contains levonorgestrel (active compound from the progestogensgestagen group) and is available without prescription. One tablet for oral use. •

Hormonal emergency contraception: ellaOne® contains ulipristal acetate (active compound from the group of selective progesterone receptor modulators) and requires a prescription. One tablet for oral use. •

•

Copper coil.

For emergency contraception with NorLevo® or ellaOne®, one tablet should be taken as soon as possible after a contraceptive failure. The tablets are intended exclusively for emergency situations and are not suitable as a regular contraceptive method.

WHEN IS EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION NECESSARY? If there is a risk of an unwanted pregnancy due to unprotected or inadequately protected intercourse, for example: •

Sex without contraception

•

The condom has torn or slipped

• Semen has got onto or into the woman’s vagina during petting • Contraception with coitus interruptus (withdrawal of the penis from the woman’s vagina before ejaculation)

• Failure to take the pill: forgetting to take the contraceptive pill, diarrhoea or vomiting after taking the pill • The vaginal ring (hormonal) was outside the vagina for longer than three hours

•

Forced, unprotected sex

• Other uncertain or unsafe contraception situations

HOW DO NORLEVO® AND ELLAONE® WORK? The effect of the emergency contraceptive pill is determined by the female cycle. During the woman’s menstrual cycle, maturation of the ovum (egg) and ovulation occurs through the interaction of various female hormones in the ovary.

After ovulation, the egg can be fertilised for about 12-24 hours. Depending on how long after unprotected sex an emergency contraceptive pill is taken, maturation of the egg is delayed or stopped, so that the sperms can no longer lead to fertilization. The emergency contraceptive pill is therefore a means of preventing fertilization of an egg after unprotected intercourse. As the timing of ovulation can vary from one menstrual cycle to another, the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle can never be predicted with exact certainty. It is therefore recommended to take the emergency contraception at any stage of the menstrual cycle in the event of unprotected or inadequately protected intercourse. Fertilization of the egg cannot be prevented if ovulation has already occurred by the time the emergency contraceptive pill is taken. The emergency contraceptive also has no effect on the implantation of an already fertilized egg.

The medication is no longer effective if a woman is already pregnant at the time she takes the emergency contraceptive pill. The emergency contraceptive pill does not cause abortion. Important: Regardless of the stage of your menstrual cycle, you should seek advice on emergency contraception.

HOW AND WHEN IS THE HORMONAL EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION TAKEN? WHERE CAN IT BE BOUGHT ? AS OF WHAT AGE? Emergency contraceptive pills - preparations

Levonorgestrel (NorLe

No later than 72 hour after intercourse

How and when is it taken?

•

Where can it be bought?

•

As of what age?

Pharmacy (without m prescription/ with co • Sexual Health Centre • Doctor

Also for under 16 years (at the discretion of the

Consult with your healthcare professional (pharmacist, d health) to discuss the most appropriate emergency contra

An emergency contraceptive pill should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected or inadequately protected intercourse. The sooner the pill is taken, the more effective it is.

evo®)

rs (three days)

medical onsultation) e

s of age e professional)

Ulipristal acetate (EllaOne®) No later than 120 hours (five days) after intercourse

•

Pharmacy (with medical prescription) Medically managed Sexual Health Centre • Doctor • •

From 18 years of age

doctor, professional in a specialist department for sexual aception for you.

WHEN SHOULD EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION NOT BE USED? An emergency contraceptive pill should not be taken: • in case of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the other ingredients

•

during a pregnancy

•

in case of severe liver disease.

NorLevo® and ellaOne® are generally well tolerated.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF AN EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILL? The following side effects may occur after the administration of either preparation: Most commonly observed are nausea, headache, lower abdominal pain, fatigue, dizziness and sometimes vomiting. Tension in the breast, spotting and irregular bleeding may occur and persist until the next menstruation. If you vomit within three hours of taking an emergency contraceptive pill, you will need to take another pill.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT AFTER TAKING AN EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILL? Pregnancy prevention: Taking an emergency contraceptive pill provides immediate protection against unwanted pregnancy following unprotected sex. The risk of becoming pregnant within the same menstrual cycle continues to exist, due to the delayed ovulation. An additional contraceptive method such as a condom must therefore be used for the remainder of the cycle. • If you are not using any hormonal method of contraception: use condoms until the next menstrual bleeding. • If you are taking the “pill” for hormonal contraception: continue taking it as usual and seek advice on how long you should use a condom as additional protection.

If you have a contraceptive failure within the same menstrual cycle, immediately seek advice from your pharmacist, your doctor or a specialist department for sexual health on the possibilities of another form of emergency contraception. For questions on a further and safe contraception it is best to contact your doctor, your pharmacist or a specialist department on sexual health. Next menstrual bleeding: After taking an emergency contraceptive pill, the next menstrual bleeding may occur slightly earlier or later than expected. Is the menstrual bleeding after emergency contraception more than five days delayed or is it shorter or weaker than usual, take a pregnancy test or contact your doctor. Sexually transmitted infections: With unprotected or inadequately protected intercourse there is a risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Discuss this with your local pharmacist, specialist department for sexual health or with your doctor.

WHAT IS EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION NOT ABLE TO DO? Emergency contraception... • ... does not protect against further unprotected intercourse during the same menstrual cycle. A safe contraceptive method must therefore be used with further intercourse. • ... does not offer any protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

•

... cannot abort a pregnancy.

•

... is not a substitute for regular contraception.

TO LEARN MORE

On the website of the SEXUAL HEALTH Switzerland Foundation you can find additional information on emergency contraception and the addresses of specialist and advisory services for sexual health and family planning. These can also offer you help and support (confidentially and free of charge) in the event of an unplanned pregnancy. www.sante-sexuelle.ch This brochure was written by HRA-Pharma in collaboration with IENK, SANTE SEXUELLE Suisse and pharmaSuisse (based on the information validated by Swissmedic in November 2014). • Interdisciplinary group of experts for emergency contraception, IENK

[email protected]

•

SANTE SEXUELLE Suisse

www.sante-sexuelle.ch •

pharmaSuisse

www.pharmasuisse.org

Patient Information

NOR-BPA-1114-CH-E

“Read the package insert of the emergency contraceptive pill, as it contains important information about this medication. This medication has either been personally prescribed by your doctor or you have purchased it at a pharmacy without a medical prescription. To obtain the greatest benefit, use the medication according to the package insert or as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist. Keep this package insert for future reference.”