Postinor

About Postinor (levonorgestrel 1.5mg)

Postinor is a single-dose emergency contraception pill containing 1.5mg of levonorgestrel — the same active ingredient used in Plan B and many other EC products worldwide. It works primarily by delaying or blocking ovulation, which is why timing matters so much for its effectiveness. Once ovulation has happened, Postinor's ability to prevent pregnancy decreases significantly.

The standard guidance is to take Postinor as soon as possible after unprotected sex, contraceptive failure, or any event that creates pregnancy risk. Within 24 hours, effectiveness is typically around 95%. Between 24 and 48 hours, effectiveness remains strong but begins to drop. By 72 hours, levonorgestrel-based EC is no longer considered reliable, and ulipristal acetate (Mifestad) becomes the recommended option for windows beyond the three-day mark.

Postinor is available over the counter in the Philippines and is dispatched same-day in Metro Manila by Lalamove courier. For provincial orders that may take more than two days in transit, Ruth Health usually recommends Mifestad instead because its 120-hour effective window provides a buffer that Postinor's 72-hour window does not.

How to take Postinor

Postinor is taken as one tablet, swallowed whole with water. It can be taken with or without food. If you vomit within two to three hours of taking the pill, the dose may not have been fully absorbed and a second dose may be needed; contact Ruth Health support or a clinician for guidance. There is no need to take additional doses on subsequent days — Postinor is single-dose emergency contraception, not a daily medication.

Common side effects include nausea, fatigue, headache, breast tenderness, and spotting. Most resolve within 24 to 72 hours. Your next period may arrive earlier or later than expected by several days, which is normal. If your period is more than seven days late, take a pregnancy test and reach out to support for next steps.

When to choose Mifestad over Postinor

While Postinor is an excellent choice for fast EC needs within 24 hours, there are situations where Mifestad (ulipristal acetate 30mg) is the better option. These include cases where more than 72 hours have passed since unprotected sex, where provincial delivery may take several days, where body weight is higher than the standard clinical ranges, and where uncertainty about the exact timing of the event makes a longer-window medication safer.

Mifestad is also recommended when the patient may have already taken a hormonal contraceptive pill within the same cycle, when there is a question about ovulation timing, or when a clinician review during intake suggests the extra window is worth the cost difference. Ruth Health support can help with this decision before the order ships.

After Postinor: what to expect

In the first day or two after taking Postinor, you may notice mild side effects like nausea, headache, or tiredness. These are normal hormonal responses and not a sign that the medication failed. Spotting or light bleeding is also common and tends to resolve on its own within a few days. Your next period may shift by up to a week in either direction.

Postinor does not protect against pregnancy from any future sexual activity in the same cycle. If you'd like ongoing contraception, this is a good moment to consider regular birth control options — daily pills, hormonal implants, IUDs, or injectables. A Ruth Health clinician can walk through the choices and help arrange whichever option suits your life best.