Pharmacy Guide

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Pharmacy Guide

Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.

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Emerres 1.5 mg tablet

⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued

The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.

If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Levonorgestrel may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.

Active substance: Levonorgestrel

Equivalent medicines (same active substance, strength and form)

Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc)
Official leaflet: Read the PIL on emc

What it is and what it is used for

for Emerres is commonly known as 'the morning after pill'. It is used to reduce the chances of becoming pregnant after unprotected sex or failure of a contraceptive method. Emerres contains the active ingredient levonorgestrel, which is a synthetic derivative of the naturally occurring female sex hormone and it is not fully understood how this medicine prevents pregnancy. It is thought to work by preventing ovulation and fertilisation and also by altering the lining of the womb, depending on which stage of the menstrual cycle the woman is at.

Emerres

Emerres is not indicated for use before the first menstrual bleeding (menarche). It is estimated that 84 per cent of pregnancies will be prevented if this morning-after pill is taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. The tablet is more effective at preventing pregnancy the earlier it is taken, so it is important to take it as soon as possible after unprotected sex, rather than delay to the third day.

What you need to know before you take it

e Emerres Do not take Emerres

  • If you are allergic to levonorgestrel or any of the other ingredients of Emerres (see section 6). Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist or nurse before taking Emerres. In all women, emergency contraception should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse. There is some evidence that Emerres may be less effective with increasing body weight or body mass index (BMI), but these data were limited and inconclusive. Therefore, Emerres is still recommended for all women regardless of their weight or BMI. You are advised to speak to a healthcare professional if you are concerned about any problems related to taking emergency contraception. If any of the following applies to you, talk to your doctor before taking Emerres as emergency contraception may not be suitable for you. Your doctor may prescribe another type of emergency contraception for you.
  • If you are pregnant or think that you may already be pregnant. This medicine will not work if you are already pregnant. If you are already pregnant, Emerres cannot terminate pregnancy, as Emerres is not an "abortion pill".

You may already be pregnant if:

  • your period is more than 5 days late, or you have experienced unusual bleeding when your next period is due.
  • you have had unprotected sex more than 72 hours ago, and since your last period.

Nevertheless, your doctor may want to check that the pregnancy is not ectopic (where the baby develops somewhere outside the womb). This is especially important if you develop severe abdominal pain after taking Emerres or if you have previously had an ectopic pregnancy, Fallopian tube surgery or pelvic inflammatory disease.

The use of Emerres is not advised if:

  • you have a disease of your small bowel (such as Crohn's disease) that inhibits the absorption of the drug.
  • you have severe liver problems.
  • you have a history of ectopic pregnancy (where the baby develops somewhere outside the womb).
  • you have a history of salpingitis (inflammation of the Fallopian tubes). A previous ectopic pregnancy and a previous infection of the fallopian tubes increase the risk of a new ectopic pregnancy.

Breast-feeding Very small amounts of the active ingredient of this medicine may appear in your breast milk. This is not thought to be harmful to the baby. If you are worried you can take your tablet immediately after a breast-feed and avoid nursing for at least 8 hours after taking Emerres. In this way you can reduce the amount of active ingredient your baby may take in with the breast milk.

If you are worried about sexually transmitted diseases If you did not use a condom (or if it has been torn or slid down) during the intercourse, it might be possible that you have caught a sexually transmitted disease or the HIV virus. This medicine will not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases, only condoms can do this. Ask your doctor, nurse, family planning clinic or pharmacist for advice if you are worried about this. Other medicines and Emerres Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription or herbal medicines. Some medicines may prevent Emerres from working effectively. If you have used any of the medicines below during the last 4 weeks, Emerres may be less suitable for you. Your doctor may prescribe another type of (non-hormonal) emergency contraceptive, i.e. a copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD). If this is not an option for you or if you are unable to see your doctor promptly, you can take a double dose of Emerres:

  • barbiturates and other medicines used to treat epilepsy (for example, primidone, phenytoin, and carbamazepine),
  • medicines used to treat tuberculosis (for example, rifampicin, rifabutin),
  • a treatment for HIV (ritonavir, efavirenz),
  • a medicine used to treat fungal infections (griseofulvin),
  • herbal remedies containing St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum). Speak to your pharmacist or doctor if you need further advice on the correct dose for you. Consult your doctor as soon as possible after taking the tablets for further advice on a reliable form of regular contraception and to exclude a pregnancy. (See section also 3 "How to take Emerres" for further advice).

Fertility Emerres increases the possibility of menstruation disturbances which can sometimes lead to earlier or later ovulation date resulting in modified fertility date. Although there are no fertility data in the long term, after treatment with Emerres a rapid return to fertility is expected and therefore, regular contraception should be continued or initiated as soon as possible after Emerres use. Driving and using machines Emerres is unlikely to affect your ability to drive a car or use machines. However, if you feel tired or dizzy do not drive or operate machinery. Emerres contains lactose If you have been told by your doctor that you have intolerance to sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

How to take it

Emerres Always use this medicine exactly as described in the leaflet or as your pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. •

Take the tablet as soon as possible, preferably within 12 hours, and no later than 72 hours (3 days) after you have had unprotected sex. Emerres can be taken at any time in your menstrual cycle assuming you are not already pregnant or think you may be pregnant. Do not chew but swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not delay taking the tablet. The tablet works best the sooner you take it after having unprotected sex. It can only prevent you becoming pregnant, if you take it within 72 hours of unprotected sex.

•

If you are using one of the medicines that may prevent Emerres from working properly (see section above "Other medicines and Emerres") or if you have used one of these medicines in the past 4 weeks, Emerres may work less effectively for you. Your doctor may prescribe another type of (non-hormonal) emergency contraceptive, i.e. a copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD). If this is not an option for you or if you are unable to see your doctor promptly, you can take a double dose of Emerres (i.e. 2 tablets taken together at the same time).

•

If you are already using a regular method of contraception such as the contraceptive pill, you can continue to take this at your regular times.

Emerres may also affect how well other medicines work:

  • a medicine called cyclosporin (suppresses the immune system). How often can you use Emerres You should only use Emerres in emergencies and not as a regular method of contraception. If Emerres is used more than once in a menstrual cycle, it is less reliable and it is more likely to upset your menstrual cycle (period). Emerres does not work as well as regular methods of contraception. Your doctor, practice nurse or family planning clinic can tell you about long-term methods of contraception which are more effective in preventing you from getting pregnant. Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine. Pregnancy You should not take this medicine if you are already pregnant. If you do become pregnant even after taking this medicine, it is important that you see your doctor. There is no evidence that Emerres will harm a baby that develops in your uterus/womb if you use Emerres as described.

If another unprotected intercourse takes place after the use of Emerres (also if this is during the same menstrual cycle), the tablet will not exert its contraceptive effect and there is again the risk of pregnancy. Use in children and adolescents This medicine is not recommended for use in children. Very limited data is available in women under 16 years of age. What to do if you are sick (vomit) If you are sick (vomit) within three hours of taking the tablet, you should immediately take another tablet.

Version: V007/05/05/20/PL20117/0138 Supersedes: V006/01/02/19/PL20117/0138

After you have taken Emerres After you have taken Emerres, if you want to have sex, and are not using the contraceptive pill, you should use condoms or a cap plus spermicide until your next menstrual period. This is because Emerres will not work if you have unprotected sex again, before your next period is due. After you have taken Emerres, you are advised to make an appointment to see your doctor about three weeks later, to make sure that Emerres has worked. If your period is more than 5 days late or is unusually light or unusually heavy, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible. If you do become pregnant even after taking this medicine, it is important that you see your doctor. Your doctor can also tell you about longer-term methods of contraception which are more effective in preventing you from getting pregnant. If you continue to use regular hormonal contraception such as the contraceptive pill and you do not have a bleed in your pill-free period, see your doctor to make sure you are not pregnant. Your next period after you took Emerres After the use of Emerres, your period is usually normal and will start at the usual day; however sometimes, this will be a few days later or earlier. If your period starts more than 5 days later than expected, an 'abnormal' bleeding occurs at that time or if you think that you might be pregnant, you should check whether you are pregnant by a pregnancy test.

Possible side effects

directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/ yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

M0138LAMUKNAB1-P1-001

How to store it

Emerres Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after 'EXP'. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

Contents of the pack and other information

What Emerres contains

  • The active substance is levonorgestrel.
  • The other ingredients are lactose monohydrate, povidone (E1201), maize starch, silica colloidal anhydrous (E551) and magnesium stearate (E572). What Emerres look like and contents of the pack

If you get any lower stomach pain or discomfort, talk to a doctor straight away.

Emerres is a round, white to off-white, uncoated flat tablet debossed '145' on one side and plain on the other side. Each pack contains a blister with one tablet.

If you take more Emerres than you should

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Although there have been no reports of serious harmful effects from taking too many tablets at once, you may feel sick, actually be sick (vomit), or have vaginal bleeding. You should ask your pharmacist, doctor, practice nurse or family planning clinic for advice, especially if you have been sick, as the tablet may not have worked properly.

Morningside Healthcare Ltd Unit C, Harcourt Way Leicester, LE19 1WP, UK

4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, Emerres can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Manufacturer Morningside Pharmaceuticals Ltd 5 Pavilion Way Loughborough, LE11 5GW, UK This leaflet was last revised in April 2020.

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

  • Feeling sick (nausea).
  • You might have some irregular bleeding until your next period.
  • You might have lower abdominal pain.
  • Tiredness.
  • Headache. Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
  • Being sick (vomiting). If you are sick, read the section 'What to do if you are sick' (vomit).
  • Your period might be different. Most women will have a normal period at the expected time, but some may have their period later or earlier than normal. You might also have some irregular bleeding or spotting until your next period. If your period is more than 5 days late or is unusually light or unusually heavy, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.
  • You might have tender breasts, diarrhoea, feel dizzy after taking this medicine. Very rare effects (may affect up to 1 in 10000 people):
  • Rash, urticaria, pruritus, swelling of the face, pelvic pain, painful period. If any of the side effects get serious or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report

Frequently asked questions about Emerres 1.5 mg tablet

How do I take Emerres 1.5 mg tablet?

Emerres 1.5 mg tablet comes as tablet containing 1.5mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.

What is the active substance in Emerres 1.5 mg tablet?

The active substance in Emerres 1.5 mg tablet is levonorgestrel.

Are there equivalent medicines to Emerres 1.5 mg tablet?

Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Emerres Una 1.5 mg tablet, LoviOne 1.5 mg Tablet, Levonorgestrel 1.5mg Tablets. In total there are 4 equivalent products. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.

Where does this information come from?

This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Emerres 1.5 mg tablet, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.

Can I get Emerres 1.5 mg tablet without a prescription?

Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.

About this leaflet

The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.

Medical disclaimer: This page is for information only and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the leaflet supplied with your medicine. If you are unwell, call NHS 111; in an emergency, call 999.

Medicines with the same active substance: Levonorgestrel (25 medicines)
See every medicine containing this substance, or browse the full A–Z of active substances.
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
Technical information intended for healthcare professionals (doctors and pharmacists). The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) is the official document approved by the MHRA/EMA. It does not replace the patient leaflet or a doctor’s advice.

4.1. Therapeutic indications

Emergency contraception within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse or failure of a contraceptive method.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

For oral administration: One tablet should be taken, as soon as possible, preferably within 12 hours, and no later than 72 hours after unprotected intercourse (see section 5.1).

If vomiting occurs within three hours of taking the tablet, another tablet should be taken immediately.

Levonorgestrel can be used at any time during the menstrual cycle unless menstrual bleeding is overdue.

After using emergency contraception it is recommended to use a local barrier method (e.g. condom, diaphragm, spermicide, cervical cap) until the next menstrual period starts. The use of levonorgestrel does not contraindicate the continuation of regular hormonal contraception.

Women who have used enzyme-inducing drugs during the last 4 weeks and need emergency contraception are recommended to use a non-hormonal EC, i.e. Cu-IUD or take a double dose of levonorgestrel (i.e. 2 tablets taken together) for those women unable or unwilling to use Cu-IUD (see section 4.5).

Paediatric population: Levonorgestrel is not recommended in children. Very limited data are available in women under 16 years of age.

There is no relevant use of Emerres for children of prepubertal age in the indication emergency contraception.

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Emergency contraception is an occasional method. It should in no instance replace a regular contraceptive method.

Emergency contraception does not prevent a pregnancy in every instance. If there is uncertainty about the timing of the unprotected intercourse or if the woman has had unprotected intercourse more than 72 hours earlier in the same menstrual cycle, conception may have occurred. Treatment with levonorgestrel following the second act of intercourse may therefore be ineffective in preventing pregnancy. If menstrual periods are delayed by more than 5 days or abnormal bleeding occurs at the expected date of menstrual periods or pregnancy is suspected for any other reason, pregnancy should be excluded.

If pregnancy occurs after treatment with levonorgestrel, the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy should be considered. The absolute risk of ectopic pregnancy is likely to be low, as levonorgestrel prevents ovulation and fertilisation. Ectopic pregnancy may continue, despite the occurrence of uterine bleeding.

Therefore, levonorgestrel is not recommended for patients who are at risk of ectopic pregnancy (previous history of salpingitis or of ectopic pregnancy).

Levonorgestrel is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic dysfunction.

Severe malabsorption syndromes, such as Crohn's disease, might impair the efficacy of levonorgestrel.

This medicinal product contains lactose monohydrate. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

Limited and inconclusive data suggest that there may be reduced efficacy of Levonorgestrel with increasing body weight or body mass index (BMI) (see section 5.1). In all women, emergency contraception should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, regardless of the woman's body weight or BMI.

After levonorgestrel intake, menstrual periods are usually normal and occur at the expected date. They can sometimes occur earlier or later than expected by a few days.

Women should be advised to make a medical appointment to initiate or adopt a method of regular contraception. If no withdrawal bleed occurs in the next pill-free period following the use of levonorgestrel after regular hormonal contraception, pregnancy should be ruled out.

Repeated administration within a menstrual cycle is not advisable because of the possibility of disturbance of the cycle.

Levonorgestrel is not as effective as a conventional regular method of contraception and is suitable only as an emergency measure. Women who present for repeated courses of emergency contraception should be advised to consider long-term methods of contraception.

Use of emergency contraception does not replace the necessary precautions against sexually transmitted diseases.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

The metabolism of levonorgestrel is enhanced by concomitant use of liver enzyme inducers, mainly CYP3A4 enzyme inducers. Concomitant administration of efavirenz has been found to reduce plasma levels of levonorgestrel (AUC) by around 50%.

Drugs suspected of having similar capacity to plasma levels of levonorgestrel include barbiturates (including primidone), phenytoin, carbamazepine, herbal medicines containing Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort), rifampicin, ritonavir, rifabutin, griseofulvin.

For women who have used enzyme-inducing drugs in the past 4 weeks and need emergency contraception, the use of non-hormonal emergency contraception (i.e. a Cu-IUD) should be considered. Taking a double dose of levonorgestrel (i.e. 3000 mcg within 72 hours after the unprotected intercourse) is an option for women who are unable or unwilling to use a Cu-IUD, although this specific combination (a double dose of levonorgestrel during concomitant use of an enzyme inducer) has not been studied.

Medicines containing levonorgestrel may increase the risk of cyclosporin toxicity due to possible inhibition of cyclosporin metabolism.

Women taking such drugs should be referred to their doctor for advice.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

Levonorgestrel should not be given to pregnant women. It will not interrupt a pregnancy. In the case of continued pregnancy, limited epidemiological data indicate no adverse effects on the fetus but there are no clinical data on the potential consequences if doses greater than 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel are taken (see section 5.3.).

Breast-feeding

Levonorgestrel is secreted into breast milk. Potential exposure of an infant to levonorgestrel can be reduced if the breast-feeding woman takes the tablet immediately after feeding and avoids nursing at least 8 hours following levonorgestrel administration.

Fertility

Levonorgestrel increases the possibility of cycle disturbances which can sometimes lead to earlier or later ovulation date resulting in modified fertility date. Although there are no fertility data in the long term, after treatment with levonorgestrel a rapid return to fertility is expected and therefore, regular contraception should be continued or initiated as soon as possible after levonorgestrel EC use.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

No studies on the effect on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed.

4.8. Undesirable effects

The most commonly reported undesirable effect was nausea.

System Organ Class

Frequency of adverse reactions

Very common

(≥1/10)

Common

(≥1/100 to <1/10)

Nervous system disorders

Headache

Dizziness

Gastrointestinal disorders

Nausea

Abdominal pain lower

Diarrhoea

Vomiting

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Bleeding not related to menses*

Delay of menses more than 7 days **

Menstruation irregular

Breast tenderness

General disorders and administration site conditions

Fatigue

*Bleeding patterns may be temporarily disturbed, but most women will have their next menstrual period within 5-7 days of the expected time.

**If the next menstrual period is more than 5 days overdue, pregnancy should be excluded.

From Post-marketing surveillance additionally, the following adverse events have been reported:

Gastrointestinal disorders

Very rare (<1/10,000): abdominal pain

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Very rare (<1/10,000): rash, urticaria, pruritus,

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Very rare (<1/10,000): pelvic pain, dysmenorrhoea

General disorders and administration site conditions

Very rare (<1/10,000): face oedema

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

Serious undesirable effects have not been reported following acute ingestion of large doses of oral contraceptives. Overdose may cause nausea, and withdrawal bleeding may occur. There are no specific antidotes and treatment should be symptomatic.

💬 Ask about this leaflet

Ask anything about Emerres 1.5 mg tablet. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.

Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.

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