What is Aftera: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan 12, 2021  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Aftera overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Afirmelle, Aftera, Altavera, Alyacen 1/35, Alyacen 7/7/7, Amethia, Amethia Lo, Amethyst, Apri, Aranelle, Ashlyna, Aubra, Aubra EQ, Aurovela 1/20, Aurovela 1.5/30, React, Aftera, EContra EZ, EContra One-Step, Fallback Solo, My Way, My Choice, Option 2, Plan B One-Step, Preventeza, Opcicon One-Step, Take Action, Take Action, Take Action

Generic Names:

  • Levonorgestrel

Uses:

  • Prevents pregnancy. Oral contraceptives are birth control pills., Prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex or after failure of another birth control method.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antineoplastic Agent, Contraceptive, Contraceptive, Progestin, Contraceptive Combination, Endocrine-Metabolic Agent, Estrogen/Progestin Combination, Hormonal Contraceptive, Monophasic Contraceptive Combination, Musculoskeletal Agent, Nutritive Agent, Triphasic Contraceptive Combination, Contraceptive, Contraceptive, Progestin, Endocrine-Metabolic Agent

Forms:

  • Tablet, Chewable Tablet, Coated Tablet, Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth, By mouth

What form(s) does Aftera come in

  • Tablet

  • Chewable Tablet

  • Coated Tablet

  • Tablet

What are common Aftera doses?

  • Tablet 1.5MG

Common Aftera prescriptions

  • Aftera
    1 tablets box

  • Aftera
    1.5mg tablet

How to take Aftera

  • Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

  • Take the first tablet as soon as possible after unprotected sex, unless directed otherwise by your doctor. Take the second tablet 12 hours after the first tablet.

  • You may take the pills with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.

  • If you vomit within one hour of taking either dose of this medicine, call your doctor to ask if you should repeat that dose.

  • You may take the pills with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.

  • Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

  • If you vomit within one hour of taking either dose of this medicine, call your doctor to ask if you should repeat that dose.

  • Take the first tablet as soon as possible after unprotected sex, unless directed otherwise by your doctor. Take the second tablet 12 hours after the first tablet.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • You may take this medicine with food to lessen stomach upset.

  • Keep your pills in the container you receive from the pharmacy. Take the pills in the order they appear in the container.

  • Take your pill at the same time every day. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

  • If you are using the chewable tablets, you may chew the tablet completely before swallowing. Drink a full glass (8 ounces) of water right after swallowing.

  • Keep your pills in the container you receive from the pharmacy. Take the pills in the order they appear in the container.

  • If you are using the chewable tablets, you may chew the tablet completely before swallowing. Drink a full glass (8 ounces) of water right after swallowing.

  • You may take this medicine with food to lessen stomach upset.

  • Take your pill at the same time every day. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

What to do if you miss a dose of Aftera

  • If one dose is missed: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Take 2 tablets if you do not remember until the next day. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you need to USE ANOTHER KIND OF BIRTH CONTROL until your period begins.

  • If you miss more than one dose, read and follow the instructions on the package about missing doses carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you need more information.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Call your doctor for instructions.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.

Aftera contraindications

  • You should not use levonorgestrel if you have had an allergic reaction to it, or to other progestin drugs, such as progestogen oral contraceptives (Ovrette®, Micronor®, Nor-QD®), progesterone, megestrol, or medroxyprogesterone. You should not use levonorgestrel if you are already pregnant, or have unusual vaginal bleeding.

  • You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to oral contraceptives, or if you are pregnant. Do not use this medicine if you have breast cancer, cancer of the uterus, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or a history of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke. Do not use this medicine if you have problems with your liver (such as liver tumor), jaundice (yellowish eyes or skin), certain types of headaches, unusual vaginal bleeding, or if you are having a surgery that needs bedrest.

Aftera warnings

  • After using this medicine, you should have your next period at the expected time. If your next period is more than one week late, check with your doctor. You may be pregnant.

  • Tell your doctor if you have ever had a tubal pregnancy, or if you are breastfeeding or have diabetes.

  • Levonorgestrel is used to prevent pregnancy within 72 hours after unprotected sex. If you are already pregnant, this medicine will not end your pregnancy.

  • You may have spotting a few days after using this medicine. With your next period, you may bleed a little more or a little less than usual.

  • This medicine is an emergency method of preventing pregnancy, and should not be your regular method of birth control.

  • Levonorgestrel will not protect you or your partner from diseases such as syphilis, herpes, or HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).

  • Although you are using this medicine to prevent pregnancy, you should know that using this medicine while you are pregnant could harm the unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

  • Use a different kind of birth control during the first 3 weeks of oral contraceptive use to make sure you are protected from pregnancy.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have lupus, edema (fluid retention), seizure disorder, asthma, migraine headaches, or a history of depression. Tell your doctor if have breast lumps, high cholesterol, gallbladder disease, liver disease, kidney disease, or irregular monthly periods.

  • This medicine will not protect you from getting HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. If this is a concern for you, talk with your doctor.

  • If you smoke while using birth control pills, you increase your risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot. Your risk is even higher if you are over age 35, if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or if you are overweight. Talk with your doctor about ways to stop smoking. Keep your diabetes under control. Ask your doctor about diet and exercise to control your weight and blood cholesterol level.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.

  • Check with your eye doctor if you wear contact lenses and you have vision problems or eye discomfort.

  • You should see your doctor on a regular basis (every 6 months or 1 year) while taking birth control pills.

  • If you miss two periods in a row, call your doctor for a pregnancy test before you take any more pills.

  • It is best to wait 2 or 3 months after stopping birth control pills before you try to get pregnant.

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Aftera interactions

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are using antibiotics (such as ampicillin, rifampin, tetracycline, Omnipen®, Rimactane®) or antifungals (such as griseofulvin, Grifulvin V®), medicine for seizures (such as phenobarbital, phenylbutazone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, felbamate, oxcarbazepine, topiramate, primidone, Luminal®, Dilantin®, Tegretol®, Felbatol®, Trileptal®, Topamax®, Mysoline®), modafinil (Provigil®), or medicine to treat HIV or AIDS (such as ritonavir, Norvir®).

  • Tell your doctor if you are also using St. John's Wort, atorvastatin (Lipitor®), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), acetaminophen (Tylenol®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), prednisolone (Delta Cortef®, Prelone®), theophylline (Theo-Dur®, Slo-Phyllin®, Gyrocaps®), temazepam (Restoril®), morphine (Astramorph PF®, Duramorph®, Avinza®, MS Contin®, Roxanol®), or salicylic acid.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have lupus, edema (fluid retention), seizure disorder, asthma, migraine headaches, or a history of depression. Tell your doctor if have breast lumps, high cholesterol, gallbladder disease, liver disease, kidney disease, or irregular monthly periods.

  • This medicine will not protect you from getting HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. If this is a concern for you, talk with your doctor.

  • If you smoke while using birth control pills, you increase your risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot. Your risk is even higher if you are over age 35, if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or if you are overweight. Talk with your doctor about ways to stop smoking. Keep your diabetes under control. Ask your doctor about diet and exercise to control your weight and blood cholesterol level.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.

  • Check with your eye doctor if you wear contact lenses and you have vision problems or eye discomfort.

  • You should see your doctor on a regular basis (every 6 months or 1 year) while taking birth control pills.

  • If you miss two periods in a row, call your doctor for a pregnancy test before you take any more pills.

  • It is best to wait 2 or 3 months after stopping birth control pills before you try to get pregnant.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are using phenytoin (Dilantin®), carbamazepine (Tegretol®), or rifampin. These medicines may make levonorgestrel less effective.

  • Levonorgestrel is used to prevent pregnancy within 72 hours after unprotected sex. If you are already pregnant, this medicine will not end your pregnancy.

  • This medicine is an emergency method of preventing pregnancy, and should not be your regular method of birth control.

  • Levonorgestrel will not protect you or your partner from diseases such as syphilis, herpes, or HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).

  • After using this medicine, you should have your next period at the expected time. If your next period is more than one week late, check with your doctor. You may be pregnant.

  • You may have spotting a few days after using this medicine. With your next period, you may bleed a little more or a little less than usual.

Aftera side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.

  • Heavy vaginal bleeding.

  • Irregular or missed menstrual period.

  • Lumps in breast.

  • Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach.

  • Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.

  • Pain in your lower leg (calf).

  • Rapid weight gain.

  • Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking.

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

  • Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

  • Severe stomach pain

  • Dizziness

  • Fatigue

  • Headache

  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Breast tenderness

  • Headache

  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

  • Dizziness

  • Fatigue

  • Sensitivity to sunlight.

  • Bloated feeling.

  • Vaginal spotting or light bleeding, itching, or discharge.

  • Contact lens discomfort.

  • Mild skin rash or itching, or change in skin color.

  • Tiredness.

  • Stomach cramps.

  • Changes in appetite.

  • Mild headache.

  • Depression or mood changes.

  • Weight changes.

  • Breast tenderness, pain, swelling, or discharge.