Escapelle – action, effectiveness and availability of the emergency tablet

Proven content

Prevenelle is a contraceptive also known as the “morning after” pill or the emergency pill. It is used in an emergency after unprotected sexual intercourse or as a result of a failure of the contraceptive method used. Escapelle is available only on prescription. How does Escapelle work and does it cause side effects? Is the tablet Escapelle effective? How much does Prevenelle cost?

Escapelle – characteristics of the emergency tablet

Prevenelle is a contraceptive used in the event of an emergency related to unprotected sex or when you are uncertain about the effectiveness of the contraceptive method used.

Escapelle tablet must be used over 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected intercourse or if the contraceptive method used has failed.

The active substance of Prevenelle, responsible for the contraceptive effect of the preparation, is levonorgestrel. Escapelle is available in stationary pharmacies only on prescription.

Prevenelle is available as an orodispersible tablet that dissolves in the mouth. The tablet is round with a diameter of 6 mm. It is biconvex, pale orange with darker spots. There is an engraved “G00” on one side of the Prevenelle tablet and there is no engraving on the other side of the tablet. Tablet with a slight orange odor. The tablet is packed in a PVC / Aluminum foil blister. The blister is placed in a laminated PET / Aluminum / PE foil sachet and packed in a cardboard box with an enclosed patient information leaflet. Prevenelle is available in packs containing 1 orodispersible tablet.

The entity responsible for the production and distribution of Escapelle is Gedeon Richter Polska Sp. z o. o. Gedeon Richter is a company belonging to an international pharmaceutical concern. Until August 2018, the Polish concern was represented by two companies: Gedeon Richter Polska and Gedeon Richter Marketing Polska. On September 1, 2018, the two companies merged and currently Gedeon Richter Polska operates a production section, a research and production center, as well as sales and marketing. The beginning of the concern was a pharmacy opened in 1901 in Budapest. The pharmacy mainly produced organotherapeutic drugs – made from animal organs.

Various pharmaceutical companies are responsible for the distribution of Escapelle in Poland, including:

1. Delfarma Sp. z o.o. – Delfarma is a leader in parallel import. This company supplies the Polish market with cheaper drugs and thus significantly contributes to the reduction of health care costs. The Delfarma company was established in 2004 and offers over 500 drugs. The company’s head office is located in Łódź;
2. InPharm Sp. z oo – InPharm is a company that has been dealing with parallel import and distribution of medicinal products, medical devices and cosmetics since 2006. The company has an extensive network of suppliers throughout the European Union. The company’s headquarters is located in Warsaw.

What are the methods of contraception and which one to choose? Read on: Contraception – natural, hormonal, chemical and mechanical methods [EXPLAINED]

Escapelle – composition and action

Prevenelle contains a synthetic hormone called levonorgestrel as the active ingredient. Prevenelle tablets contain 1500 mg of levonorgestrel.

It prevents 72% ​​of pregnancy if taken within 84 hours of unprotected intercourse.

Levonorgestrel is an organic chemical compound, a second-generation synthetic progestogen used as an active ingredient in hormonal contraception, including dual and single component pills, emergency contraception, contraceptive intrauterine systems and implants, and hormone replacement therapy.

Levonorgestrel affects the endometrium by creating a barrier for sperm migration in the genital tract. This compound has an anti-estrogenic effect. Levonorgestrel by changes in the uterine mucosa blocks the implantation of the blastocyst. This drug affects the composition of the cervical mucus and inhibits ovulation in the pre-ovulation period.

Overall, ESCAPELLE is believed to work by:

1. inhibiting the release of an egg by the ovaries;
2. preventing fertilization of an already released egg. 

Prevenelle will only prevent pregnancy if used within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. This medicine is not effective if you are already pregnant.

The excipients of Prevenelle are:

1. potato starch;
2. corn starch;
3. colloidal anhydrous silica;
4. magnesium stearate;
5. talk;
6. lactose monohydrate.

What is safe sex and what should you know about it? Check: Safe sex: it is for our health, it is not forced and we enjoy it

Escapelle – indications for use

The indications for the use of Escapelle emergency tablets are emergency situations:

1. within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected intercourse;
2. in the event of a failure of the contraceptive method used, e.g. the condom has slipped off or has been used incorrectly, or if the cap or disc has moved, broken, damaged or removed at the wrong time, or the penis has not been withdrawn from the vagina in a timely manner. during intermittent intercourse (e.g. ejaculation has occurred inside the vagina or into the external genitals).

What is intermittent intercourse? Read on: Intermittent intercourse – what is it and is it effective in preventing pregnancy?

Escapelle – contraindications to use

The tablet Prevenelle, despite its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy, cannot be used by every patient who needs such a method of contraception.

The contraindication to the use of Prevenelle tablets is primarily allergy to levonorgestrel or any of the other ingredients of this drug.

Are infertile days an effective protection against pregnancy? Check: Can you get pregnant during the infertile days?

Escapelle – precautions

Before taking Prevenelle tablets, follow the precautions included in the package leaflet.

Emergency contraception may not be suitable or appropriate for you if:

1. you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant – this medicine is not effective if you are already pregnant, because Prevenelle cannot terminate pregnancy, Prevenelle is not an abortion pill.

Therefore, it is worth remembering that the patient may already be pregnant if:

1. your menstrual period is more than 5 days late or you have unusual bleeding on the day of your expected period.
2. more than 72 hours have passed since unprotected intercourse in the same menstrual cycle.

It is not recommended to take Prevenelle tablets, if:

1. you have a disease of the small intestine (such as Crohn’s disease) that stops the medicine from being absorbed;
2. you have severe liver problems;
3. if you have ever had an ectopic pregnancy (the embryo develops outside the womb) or inflammation of the fallopian tubes, a history of ectopic pregnancy or infection of the fallopian tubes increases the risk of another ectopic pregnancy.

For all women, emergency contraception should be used as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse.

There is evidence that Prevenelle may be less effective as weight or body mass index (BMI) increases, but the data are limited and inconclusive. Therefore Prevenelle is still recommended for all women regardless of their body weight or BMI.

What is worth knowing about sex? Read: Sex – sexual positions, erotic massage, gadgets, contraception methods. Is sex still taboo?

Escapelle – dosage and method of application

Always take Prevenelle tablets exactly as described in the package leaflet or according to your doctor or pharmacist’s instructions.

The patient should take Prevenelle as soon as possible after unprotected sexual intercourse. Ideally the tablet should be taken within 12 hours and no later than 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected or questionable safety sex.

Do not delay taking the tablet. The earlier you take the tablet after unprotected intercourse, the greater its effectiveness. The tablet can only prevent pregnancy if it is taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.

Prevenelle can be used on any day of the menstrual cycle, provided that you are not pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant. The tablet should be removed from the blister with dry hands, placed on the tongue where it will dissolve, and then swallowed. The tablet should not be chewed.

If you have another unprotected intercourse after taking Prevenelle (also during the same menstrual cycle), the tablet will not have contraceptive effect and you may become pregnant again.

Prevenelle should only be used in an emergency and not as a regular method of contraception. If Prevenelle is used more than once in the same menstrual cycle, its contraceptive effect is weaker and the risk of disturbances in the menstrual cycle is greater.

What do you need to know about the effects and consequences of taking the morning after pill? Check: Tablet the day after – action, side effects and availability. How to take the pill the day after?

Prevenelle – procedure after taking the tablet

Proper management after taking Prevenelle tablets is also very important. If you are not using the contraceptive pill and intend to have sex after taking Prevenelle, use condoms or a cervical cap together with spermicides until the next menstrual bleeding occurs.

This is because Prevenelle will not be effective when you have another unprotected intercourse before your next scheduled menstrual bleeding.

Approximately three weeks after taking the emergency tablet, the patient is recommended to visit the gynecologist to verify that the medication has worked.

If your period is more than 5 days late, or if you experience any unusual light or heavy bleeding, see your doctor as soon as possible.

If you become pregnant despite taking this medicine, it is important to consult your doctor.

After taking Prevenelle your menstrual bleeding is usually normal and starts on the same day as usual, but sometimes it may start a few days later or earlier. If your menstrual bleeding starts more than 5 days later than usual, if you have unusual bleeding during this time, or if you think you may be pregnant, make sure you are pregnant by having a pregnancy test.

What happens in a woman’s body after stopping birth control pills? Check: Discontinuation of birth control pills – side effects

Escapelle – side effects

Prevenelle, like any other drug, may cause side effects in patients. It is important to report any suspected adverse reactions after authorization of the medicinal product so that the benefit / risk balance of the medicinal product can be monitored.

The frequency classification of adverse body reactions (ADRs) is based on the following principles: very common (≥1 / 10), common (≥1 / 100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1 / 1 to <000/1), rare (≥ 100 / 1 to <10 / 000), very rare (<1 / 1), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 patients):

1. nausea;
2. you may have irregular breakthroughs until the next menstrual bleeding;
3. lower abdominal pain;
4. fatigue;
5. headache.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 patients):

1. vomiting;
2. Menstrual bleeding may be different than usual, most women have a normal period, but some women may have periods later or earlier than usual, and may have irregular bleeding or breakthrough spotting if menstrual bleeding is delayed by more than 5 days, or it is unusually scanty or heavy, the patient should see a doctor as soon as possible;
3. breast tenderness;
4. diarrhea;
5. dizziness.

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10 patients):

1. rash;
2. hives;
3. itching;
4. swelling of the face;
5. pain in the pelvic area;
6. painful periods.

Is hormonal contraception available over the counter? Check: Hormonal contraception without a prescription? New recommendations

Prevenelle – interactions with other drugs

Before taking Prevenelle tablets, inform your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you are taking or have taken recently. You should also inform what medications the patient plans to take in the near future.

Some medicines may stop the tablet from working properly if you have used any of the following medicines in the last 4 weeks:

1. barbiturates and other medicines to treat epilepsy – e.g. primidone, phenytoin and carbamazepine;
2. drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis – e.g. rifampicin, rifabutin;
3. drugs used to treat HIV infection – ritonavir, efavirenz;
4. drugs for the treatment of fungal infections – griseofulvin;
5. herbal remedies containing St. John’s wort – Hypericum perforatum.

Prevenelle may also interfere with the way cyclosporine works, which is a medicine that suppresses the immune system.

Which drugs should never be combined with each other? Check: Dangerous interactions

Escapelle and pregnancy and breastfeeding

The use of any medications or dietary supplements during pregnancy requires consultation with the attending physician. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking Prevenelle.

Pregnant women should not take Prevenelle tablets. If you become pregnant despite taking this medicine, it is important to consult your doctor. There is as yet no evidence that Prevenelle will harm the baby developing in the womb if you use Prevenelle according to the directions. Nevertheless, your doctor will want to check that it is not an ectopic pregnancy. This is especially important if you develop severe abdominal pain after taking the tablet, or if you have had an ectopic pregnancy in the past, you have had surgery to the fallopian tubes, or if you have had pelvic inflammation.

It is also worth remembering that the active substance of Prevenelle tablets passes into breast milk. It is therefore recommended that the patient takes the tablet immediately after breastfeeding, then avoid breastfeeding for at least 8 hours after taking levonorgestrel and express milk from her breast with a breast pump for 8 hours after taking the tablet. This way, by taking the tablet well in advance of the next feed, you can reduce the amount of the active ingredient that could enter your baby’s body through breast milk.

Prevenelle may affect menstruation. The use of Prevenelle increases the possibility of menstrual disorders, which may sometimes delay or accelerate the onset of ovulation, thus altering the fertility period. As there are no data on long-term effects on fertility, a quick return to fertility is to be expected after treatment with the drug.

What is worth knowing about proper supplementation during pregnancy? Check: Conscious choices. Diet and supplementation in pregnancy

Escapelle – effectiveness

The effectiveness of the Prevenelle tablet is 84%. However, it should be remembered that with Prevenelle the time taken to take the tablet is very important. The sooner the tablet is applied, the better.

It is best to take the Escapelle tablet up to 24 hours after intercourse. The effectiveness of the drug drops from hour to hour.

The effectiveness of the morning after pill also depends on other factors. The time that has elapsed since intercourse, the number of unprotected intercourse, the phase of the menstrual cycle, the overall fertility of partners or their age and even body weight play an important role.

The manufacturers of the drug recommend that a woman should go to a gynecologist for a check-up approximately 3 weeks after taking the Prevenelle tablet. This helps to make sure that the medicine is working effectively and has not developed into pregnancy.

How long should contraceptive pills be used to be effective? Check: How long do contraceptive pills work?

Escapelle – availability

The tablet the day after without a prescription is available in almost all European countries (with the exception of, inter alia, Poland and Hungary). Escapelle tablets are available in Poland only on prescription. However, it may be too late by the time you make an appointment with the gynecologist or GP. Online visits with the option of issuing an e-prescription come in handy.

Need a pill the day after? In this situation, time is of the essence – a way to quickly obtain a prescription is teleconsultation about emergency contraception

Escapelle – dinner

Price of the Escapelle tablet may differ depending on the city in which the contraceptive will be bought or the pharmacy chosen by the patient. The price of the product is not refundable by the National Health Fund. The price of Escapelle tablets ranges from 45 to 60 zlotys.

Does an e-visit to the gynecologist make sense? Check it out: Eight situations when an e-visit to the gynecologist is better than the traditional one

See also:

1. Contraception in Polish. How do women protect themselves most often? At all
2. Contraception FAQs – What You Need to Know
3. The conscience clause for doctors – what is it about?