Levonorgestrel Side Effects

Brand Names: Mirena, Plan B

Please note - some side effects for Levonorgestrel may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Levonorgestrel - for the Consumer

Levonorgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Levonorgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol:

Acne; breast tenderness or enlargement; changes in appetite; changes in weight; dizziness; headache; loss of scalp hair; nausea; nervousness; stomach cramps or bloating; vaginal spotting or breakthrough bleeding; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); absent menstrual period; breast discharge; breast lumps; calf or leg pain, swelling, or tenderness; change in amount of urine produced; chest pain or heaviness; confusion; coughing of blood; dark urine; fainting; mental or mood changes (eg, depression); migraines; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; pale stools; persistent, severe, or recurring headache or dizziness; persistent vaginal spotting; severe pain or tenderness in the stomach; shortness of breath; slurred speech; sudden severe headache or vomiting; swelling of the fingers, hands, legs, or ankles; unusual or severe vaginal bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; vaginal irritation, discharge, or change in secretions; vision changes (eg, sudden vision loss, double vision); yellowing of the skin or eyes (with or without fever).

Levonorgestrel

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Levonorgestrel:

Breast tenderness; changes in menstrual flow; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; nausea; stomach pain; tiredness; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); severe and persistent lower stomach pain; missed menstrual period; spotting instead of your usual period.

Levonorgestrel IUD

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Levonorgestrel IUD:

Acne; back pain; breast pain; breast tenderness; changes in sex drive; cramps; depression; hair loss; headache; irregular bleeding; lack of menstrual bleeding; nausea; nervousness; skin problems; stomach pain; vomiting; weight gain.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); breast lumps; changes in vision; chills; dizziness; fever; genital sores; lack of menstrual period; mental or mood changes; numbness of an arm or leg; painful sexual intercourse; prolonged heavy menstrual bleeding; severe headache or dizziness; severe pain or tenderness in the abdomen or pelvis; sharp or crushing chest pain; spotting instead of your usual period; sudden leg pain; sudden severe headache, vomiting, dizziness, or fainting; sudden shortness of breath; unusual or odorous vaginal discharge; unusual vaginal swelling or bleeding; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Side Effects by Body System

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included hypertension.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included acne and other skin disorders.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included leukorrhea, vaginitis, dysmenorrhea, breast pain, abnormal pap smear and decreased libido. Very common adverse reactions (greater than 1 in 10 users) include uterine/vaginal bleeding (including spotting, irregular bleeding, heavy bleeding, oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea) and ovarian cysts.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included headache, dizziness and nervousness.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included upper respiratory infection and sinusitis.

General

General side effects have included weight gain and fatigue.

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects have included depression.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included back pain.

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