I-Pill (levonorgestrel) is an emergency contraceptive for women who have had unprotected sex. A type of "morning-after pill" it should be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, with sooner being better.

Unlike some similar products, only one I-Pill needs to be taken following unprotected intercourse. Other varieties may require two or even three follow-up tablets.

I-Pill is designed for, and has been tested on, women age 25 to 45. Used as directed it is very safe for these populations. In practice, women outside of this age group do buy I-Pill, particularly younger women. Effects on outside age groups are largely unknown, but younger women should take care to avoid overuse of I-Pill. Overuse can cause negative effects in its target group and younger patients may be at increased risk.

Product Overview

I-Pill contains the active ingredient levonorgestrel, a progestogen hormone, which helps prevent pregnancy in several ways:

• Prevents release of eggs from the ovaries;
• If an egg is already released, it inhibits fertilization;
• If an egg is fertilized, it inhibits it from attaching to the uterus.

Pregnancy---a fertilized egg attached to the uterus---usually happens within 1 to 5 days after unprotected intercourse. The effectiveness of I-Pill depends largely on how soon it is taken following unprotected intercourse:

• Within 12 hours of unprotected sex, 98% of pregnancies are prevented.
• Within 24 hours, 95% of pregnancies are prevented.
• Within 48 hours, 85% of pregnancies are prevented.
• Within 72 hours, 58% of pregnancies are prevented.
• After 72 hours, I-Pill is unlikely to help prevent pregnancy.

Note that this product is not an abortifacient; do not buy I-Pill to terminate an existing pregnancy, it will have no effect. Patients interested in terminating a pregnancy may want to look into misoprostol.

Women should also avoiding buying I-Pill for use as a regular contraceptive. I-Pill should not be taken more than twice per month, ideally less often. Levonorgestrel is a potent hormone which can cause unpleasant, disruptive, and dangerous side effects, some of which can be permanent, if misused.

Taking I-Pill

I-Pill is very easy to use; simply take a single tablet as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse. Food and fluid are recommended but not strictly necessary. Taking multiple I-Pills does not improve the odds of preventing pregnancy; it only increases risk of side effects.

Used as directed---a single I-Pill taken no more than twice per month---side effects are unlikely, and if they do occur are typically mild, including:

• Soreness or cramping in the abdomen
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Tender breasts
• Reduced libido
• Headache
• Fatigue

The above typically pass after a day or two, and are not cause for concern unless severe or persistant.

Some women who buy I-Pill do notice some menstrual irregularities; early or late periods, spotting, lighter or heavier flow, and so forth. None of these are particularly concerning unless menstruation is very heavy or lasts longer than seven days. If I-Pill is misused, these menstrual changes may be permanent.

If a period is more than two weeks late, the possibility of pregnancy must be considered.

Note that I-Pill does nothing to protect from sexually transmitted diseases.

Drug Interactions

Those who do buy I-Pill to prevent pregnancy should be aware that several other medications can influence the medication's effectiveness. Of particular concern are:

• Medications used to treat epilepsy
• Medications used to treat tuberculosis
• Ritonavir, used to treat HIV
• Griseofulvin, used to treat fungal infections
• Ciclosporin, an immunosuppressant

If taking the above, speak with a doctor or pharmacist before relying on I-Pill. The above are just the greatest concern; many other medications---including over-the-counter varieties like St. John's wort---can also cause complications. If a medication is not vital for well-being, it is advisable to avoid taking it for a few days following I-Pill administration.

Help is just a Click Away

I-Pill is a highly-effective contraceptive if taken soon after unprotected intercourse. If I-Pill or some equivalent version is not readily available at a local pharmacy, sexually active women may want to consider keeping a few on-hand for emergency use---accidents do happen; condoms break, birth control pills are forgotten, and so forth.

Women interested in more routine birth control methods are welcome to browse our selection.

A prescription or pharmacist approval is required to buy I-Pill. Kiwi Drug clients may want to take advantage of our fully-licensed online doctor, who can issue a prescription for qualifying clients. Simply begin checkout and answer the questions about other medications and other medical conditions on the following page to see if you qualify. The entire process takes just a few moments and there is no extra charge.

Patients who already have a prescription to buy I-Pill will be given options to transfer it to use after completing checkout.

As always, we're here to help if you need us.