AfterPill Side Effects

Generic name: levonorgestrel

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 4, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about AfterPill Side Effects associated with levonorgestrel. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name AfterPill.

Applies to levonorgestrel: intrauterine insert extended release.

Other dosage forms:

• oral tablet

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and does not cause unwanted effects. These visits will usually be 4 to 6 weeks after insertion and then once a year, but some doctors would require them more often.

There is a small chance that you could get pregnant when using an IUD, just as there is with any birth control. If you get pregnant, your doctor may remove your IUD to lower the risk of miscarriage or other problems.

Call your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant while you are using this medicine. You may have a higher risk of an ectopic pregnancy (occurs outside the womb) if you get pregnant while your IUD is in place. This can be a serious and life-threatening condition. It can also cause problems that may make it harder for you to become pregnant in the future.

An IUD can slip partly or all the way out of your uterus without you knowing it. If this happens, you will have no protection against getting pregnant or you may have an increased risk for serious problems. This is more likely during the first year that you have your IUD, but it can happen at any time. Regularly checking the string of your IUD can tell you if it is still in place.

You may have some blood spotting and cramping during the first few weeks after the IUD has been inserted. These symptoms should go away within a few months. Rarely, the IUD may make a hole in the wall of your uterus when it is inserted. If this happens, check with your doctor right away.

Using Kyleena®, Liletta®, Mirena®, or Skyla® can increase your risk for severe infections, including sepsis. This is a rare and life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.

An IUD can increase your risk of having a serious infection of the female organs, called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or endometritis (pregnancy-related), which can be serious, even life threatening. This infection could cause scarring of the female organs, which may make it hard for you to become pregnant in the future, and can increase your risk of ectopic pregnancy.

Call your doctor right away if you have flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, cramps, pain, bleeding, or fluid leaking from your vagina. These may be signs that you have an infection.

This medicine may increase your risk of having ovarian cysts or cancer of the breast, uterus, or cervix. It may also cause yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice). Talk to your doctor if these concern you.

This medicine may also increase your risk of having high blood pressure (hypertension), clotting problems, or serious heart and blood vessel problems including heart attack or stroke. Check with your doctor right away if you start having dizziness, fainting spells, severe tiredness, chest pain, trouble with breathing, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking, or unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

This device will not protect you from getting HIV/AIDS, herpes, or other sexually transmitted diseases. Tell your doctor if you or your partner begins to have sexual intercourse with other people, or you or your partner tests positive for a sexually transmitted disease. If this is a concern for you, talk with your doctor.

It is important to tell your doctor that you are using this medicine before you have a medical procedure, such as magnetic resonance imaging or MRI.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (eg, St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of AfterPill

Along with its needed effects, levonorgestrel (the active ingredient contained in AfterPill) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking levonorgestrel:

Other side effects of AfterPill

Some side effects of levonorgestrel may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to levonorgestrel: intrauterine device, oral tablet, subcutaneous implant.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported adverse effects are alterations of menstrual bleeding patterns, nausea, abdominal/pelvic pain, headache/migraine, dizziness, fatigue, amenorrhea, ovarian cysts, genital discharge, acne/seborrhea, breast tenderness, and vulvovaginitis.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Irregular menstrual bleeding (67%), infrequent menstrual bleeding (up to 57%), ovarian cyst (31.2%), menstrual changes (up to 31.9%), decreased uterine bleeding (23.4%), prolonged menstrual bleeding (22%), vulvovaginitis (20.2%), amenorrhea (18.4%), genital discharge (up to 14.9%), heavier menstrual bleeding (13.8%),vaginal infections (13.6%), vulvovaginal infections (13.3%), lighter menstrual bleeding (12.5%), increased scheduled uterine bleeding (11.9%), breast tenderness (10.7%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dysmenorrhea, breast pain/discomfort, upper genital tract infection, genital tract bleeding, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometritis, dyspareunia, pelvic discomfort/pain, delay of menses more than 7 days, vaginal discharge, bleeding not related to menses
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Uterine spasm, cervicitis/Papanicolaou smear normal class II, change in vaginal secretion
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Uterine perforation
• Frequency not reported: Breast enlargement, vaginal candidiasis, changes in cervical erosion, changes in cervical secretion, ectopic pregnancy
• Postmarketing reports: Oligomenorrhea, irregular menstruation^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 23.1%), abdominal/pelvic pain (up to 22.6%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, vomiting
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal distension
• Frequency not reported: Bloating, abdominal cramps^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (16.9%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Partial/complete IUS expulsion, weight increased
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Edema, change in body weight
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Face edema
• Frequency not reported: Decreased weight, sepsis, group A streptococcal sepsis
• Postmarketing reports: IUS breakage, procedural bleeding^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 16.8%), dizziness (11.2%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Migraine
• Postmarketing reports: Stroke, syncope, IUS insertion related vasovagal reaction or seizure^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Depression/depressed mood, mood changes, mood swings, decreased libido, nervousness
• Frequency not reported: Changes in libido^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Acne/seborrhea (15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Alopecia, hirsutism
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pruritus, eczema, pigmentation changes/hyperpigmentation
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Rash, urticaria
• Frequency not reported: Chloasma, melasma
• Postmarketing reports: Angioedema^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Postmarketing reports: Increased blood pressure, arterial/venous thrombotic events, pulmonary emboli, deep vein thrombosis, stroke^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Frequency not reported: Benign/malignant liver tumors
• Postmarketing reports: Breast cancer^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Contact lens intolerance^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Diabetes mellitus^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Allergic reaction
• Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity reactions^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• Can Plan B make your period late or cause bleeding?
• Can you drink alcohol after taking Plan B?
• How effective is Plan B and how late can you take it?
• How many times can you take Plan B?
• What's the weight limit for Plan B?
• What are my birth control options and how effective are they?
• Mirena, Kyleena, Skyla & Liletta - What's the difference?

Further information

AfterPill side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer