Levofem is one of the many medications used for contraception. Doctors typically prescribe it as a birth control option for people doing family planning or sexually active people who do not want to get pregnant. This article discusses its applications, dosage, cost, interactions with other drugs, and potential adverse effects.
There are different forms of contraceptives, ranging from barrier methods like condoms to intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, and oral pills.
Data from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that from 2015–2017, about 64.9% of the 72.2 million females of childbearing age in the United States were using contraception. Following female sterilization (18.6%), oral contraceptive pills were the second most commonly used contraceptive option (12.6%).
Levofem is an example of an effective oral contraceptive that people now commonly use to prevent pregnancy. This brand-name hormonal pill is commonly marketed and sold in pharmaceutical stores across Nigeria and other countries.
Levofem is a combined oral contraceptive medication that is widely used for birth control or simply preventing pregnancy. Combined birth control pills are pills that contain agents that mimic estrogen and progesterone hormones.
Levofem is a prescription-only birth control pill designed to be taken once daily to prevent pregnancy. This combination oral medication contains the synthetic forms of progesterone and estrogen, i.e., progestin (levonorgestrel; 0.03 mg) and ethinyl estradiol (0.15 mg). It also contains ferrous fumarate (75 mg). Levofem is manufactured by PT. Harsen Laboratories, Indonesia, and distributed by DKT Nigeria.
Doctors typically prescribe Levofem as a regular, everyday birth control pill. But it may also be used as an emergency contraceptive to prevent pregnancy when a person’s regular birth control method fails, e.g., when a condom breaks or slips off while in use.
However, to use combined oral contraceptives like Levofem as an emergency pill, you will need to take a higher-than-usual dose. Keep in mind that it might not be safe to regularly use it as an emergency contraceptive. So, discuss with your doctor before using it as an emergency contraceptive.
Levofem works via the following mechanisms:
Oral contraceptives, such as Levofem, which contain these estrogen-progestin combinations, are widely recognized for their high efficacy in birth control. Levofem is a convenient and reliable method for many individuals to prevent unintended pregnancies.
It is important to note that while Levofem is effective against pregnancy, it does not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other STDs. Therefore, individuals using Levofem should also consider using additional methods, such as condoms, to reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
The ferrous fumarate in Levofem serves as a supplementary form of iron, helping improve hemoglobin levels in the bloodstream, particularly during the menstrual cycle. Hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, plays a crucial role in transporting oxygen throughout the body.
During menstruation, women may experience increased iron loss, leading to the potential depletion of hemoglobin levels and the development of iron deficiency anemia. Ferrous fumarate supplementation helps replenish iron stores, thereby promoting the production of hemoglobin and maintaining overall blood health during menstruation.
Levofem pills should be taken once daily for 28 consecutive days. A pack of Levofem consists of 21 active pills, which are yellow in color, and 7 inactive pills, which are white in color.
Take the yellow, active pills at about the same time for 21 days before starting the white pills. You should start taking the medication on the first day of your menstrual period. If there is a lapse that exceeds 24 hours between doses, the efficacy of this contraceptive pill may be reduced.
During the consumption of the white tablets, withdrawal bleeding may occur. The breakthrough bleeding will typically occur during the intake of the last 7 inactive pills, and this is because the pills don't contain the progestin and estrogen synthetic hormones, causing a sharp drop of these hormones in the body. Similar to what happens in a normal cycle, a drop in the estrogen and progesterone hormones is what triggers menstruation. This means that with its two active agents, Levofem mimics the intricate feedback loop that controls the menstrual and ovarian cycles.
Regardless of the status of your bleeding, continue with another pack of Levofem the day after consuming the final white tablet from the current pack. Ensure the consumption of all tablets within one pack before commencing a fresh one, and adhere to these instructions accordingly.
Here is what to do if you forget to take your Levofem birth control pill.
If you missed one Levofem pill, don’t worry:
If you missed two or more pills in a row:
If you missed any inactive pills:
Combination oral contraceptives such as Levofem can interact with certain medications and should be avoided when taking them. Some medications that can interact with Levofem include:
Levofem can cause side effects such as:
Some rare side effects that are serious and require immediate medical attention may include blood clots, allergic reactions, and liver problems.
Before taking Levofem, like every other oral contraceptive, you should take the following precautions:
The price of Levofem tablets ranges from ₦500.00 to ₦950.00 in Nigeria. It can be found in pharmacies across the country. However, it is worthy of note that Levofem is a prescription-only medicine (POM) and can only be dispensed with a prescription from a medical doctor.
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