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Levora

Ethinyl estradiol + Levonorgestrel

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User Ratings

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Satisfaction

5.3

3.1 Effectiveness

7 Side Effects

4.8 Holistic Benefits

RateADrug users have reported 12 Levora side effects and 3 Levora benefits.

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Description | Uses & Side Effects | Warnings

There is currently no information to display in this section. RateADrug provides information about drugs and supplements though a wiki format provided by researchers, health care providers and others. We encourage you to add to this description by clicking on the button below.

Common Uses:

Levora is a birth control pill that is available by prescription. It is a combined oral contraceptive that works by preventing ovulation and altering the cervical mucus and endometrium. Each pack of Levora contains 28 pills that must be taken once daily, at the same time each day.

Like most birth control pills, Levora offers the following benefits, in addition to being very effective and easy to use:

Lighter and more regular menstrual bleeding
Less menstrual pain
Decreased risk of ovarian or endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus).

Levora is only recommended for use in women of reproductive age.

Off Label Uses:

At this time, off-label Levora uses include the treatment of the following conditions:

Acne
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Painful menstrual periods
Irregular menstrual periods
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

Levora is also sometimes used off-label for emergency contraception (as a "morning after" birth control).

Side Effects:
Some of the side effects reported for Levora include the following:

Nausea, headaches, and changes in sex drive are some of the common side effects reported with birth control pills like Levora. Side effects can be bothersome but are not dangerous in most cases. However, there are some side effects of Levora that are potentially serious and should be reported to your healthcare provider right away, including depression, heavy spotting, and high cholesterol.

Other side effects with Levora that you should report to your healthcare provider include the following:

High cholesterol
Depression or other emotional changes
Migraines (or changes in your migraines, if you have had them before)
Breast lumps
Signs of a blood clot in the leg, such as pain in the calf, leg cramps, and leg or foot swelling
Signs of a blood clot in the lung, such as shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, or coughing up blood
Chest pain or heaviness, which may be signs of a heart attack
Sudden loss of vision or vision changes, which can be a sign of a blood clot in the eye
Signs of a stroke, such as vision or speech changes, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, and a severe headache
Signs of liver damage, such as yellow eyes or skin (jaundice), dark urine, and upper right abdominal pain
Heavy vaginal bleeding between periods (light bleeding or spotting is normal)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Signs of an allergic reaction, including unexplained rash, hives, itching, unexplained swelling, wheezing, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Cautions / Warnings:

Warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to using Levora include the following:

When used properly, Levora is very effective for preventing pregnancy. However, it becomes much less effective if you take it incorrectly. Make sure you understand exactly how to take Levora (including how and when to start it and what to do if you miss pills).

Combined oral contraceptives (including Levora) increase the risk of life-threatening problems such as heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. The risk is quite small for healthy, young, nonsmoking women. Make sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had a blood clot, stroke, heart attack, or chest pain. Smoking cigarettes greatly increases the risk of these serious Levora side effects. This risk is particularly high for smokers over the age of 35.

Levora can interact with a number of different medications (see Drug Interactions With Levora for more information). Many of these interactions are severe enough to lead to unintentional pregnancy.

Levora does not protect against HIV, AIDS, or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In many cases, it is advisable to use condoms in addition to Levora.

Combined oral contraceptives may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer or cervical cancer, although this is an unresolved and controversial issue. However, combined oral contraceptives seem to help protect women against ovarian and uterine cancer.

Oral contraceptives increase the risk of benign (non-cancerous) liver tumors. Very rarely, these tumors can rupture and cause serious problems.

Hormonal contraceptives (such as Levora) may make gallbladder disease worse. If you have had a problem with your gallbladder, Levora may not be the best contraceptive method for you.

Levora may increase blood sugar, particularly in women with diabetes. Your healthcare provider may need to monitor you more closely. Let your healthcare provider know if you have any sudden vision changes, as this may be a sign of a blood clot in the eyes (a possible side effect of Levora and other hormonal contraceptives).

Hormonal contraceptives (including Levora) can increase your blood pressure. This can be a problem if you already have high blood pressure.

Levora can change your menstrual bleeding patterns. Some women have breakthrough bleeding (bleeding between periods), while others may not have a period at all. It is normal to have shorter and lighter periods while using Levora. If you notice any unusual changes in your bleeding patterns, let your healthcare provider know. If you miss a period, you should make sure you are not pregnant.

Levora can affect your cholesterol. Your healthcare provider may need to check your cholesterol levels after you start Levora, especially if you already have high cholesterol.

Sometimes, hormonal contraceptives may make depression worse. Let your healthcare provider know if you develop new or worsening depression symptoms.

Occasionally, Levora (as well as any other hormonal contraceptives) can cause eye changes that make it more difficult to wear contact lenses.

Levora is considered a pregnancy Category X medication. This means that it should not be used during pregnancy.

Drug Interactions:
Medications that may cause drug interactions with Levora include protease inhibitors, modafinil, theophylline, and antibiotics. When medicines interact with the birth control pill, your risk of side effects or unintentional pregnancy may increase.

Levora (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol) is a generic version of Nordette. It can potentially interact with numerous other medicines. Sometimes, these interactions can be severe enough to increase the risk of unintentional pregnancy, in which case a backup method of birth control is usually recommended. If you do not know what to do about any particular Levora drug interaction, it is a good idea to use backup birth control until you can speak with your healthcare provider, just in case. Some of the medicines that may lead to Levora interactions include:

Aminoglutethimide (Cytadren®)
Antibiotics
Aprepitant (Emend®)
Barbiturate medications, including (but not limited to):

Amobarbital (Amytal®)
Butalbital (Fioricet®, Fiorinal®)
Pentobarbital (Nembutal®)
Phenobarbital (Luminal®)
Primidone (Mysoline®)
Secobarbital (Seconal®)

Cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®)
Dexamethasone (Decadron®)
Modafinil (Provigil®)
Numerous seizure medications, such as:

Carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro™, Tegretol®)
Felbamate (Felbatol®)
Lamotrigine (Lamictal®)
Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal®)
Phenytoin (Dilantin®, Phenytek®)
Topiramate (Topamax®)

Protease inhibitors, such as:

Amprenavir (Agenerase®)
Atazanavir (Reyataz®)
Fosamprenavir (Lexiva®)
Indinavir (Crixivan®)
Nelfinavir (Viracept®)
Ritonavir (Norvir®)
Selegiline (Eldepryl®, Emsam®, Zelapar®).

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Brands	Effectiveness	Holistic Benefits	Side Effects	Number of Ratings
NuvaRing	7.9	6.29	3.85	86
Yaz	6.6	5.83	4	159
Loestrin	6.58	5.61	4.14	99
Yasmin	6.51	5.46	3.87	63
Ortho Tri-Cyclen	6.13	5.59	4.2	165
Levora	4.79	4.87	4.59	29

View All	About these Scores
	Choose a condition to compare treatments based on user feedback. You can sort by Effectiveness, Holistic Benefits or Side Effects RateADrug user scores, or the number of Ratings. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Effectiveness of Levora by Condition

Click on a condition to view RateADrug.com users ratings

Birth Control

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) & Menstruation

Ovarian Cysts

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Effectiveness on "Birth Control"

About these Results
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of how users rate the effectiveness of their medication. Click on the various conditions to see how the effectiveness ratings change. Close

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How effective is Levora?

Reported Changes in Health and Well-Being

Since taking Levora, RateADrug survey participants noticed these changes in their health:

Effect on:	Much Worse	Worse	No Change	Better	Much Better
Appetite	9.2%	13.8%	50.6%	17.2%	9.2%
Balance/Equilibrium	0%	3.4%	87.4%	5.7%	3.4%
Blood Pressure	4.5%	6.8%	86.4%	2.3%	0%
Breathing	1.1%	3.4%	89.7%	5.7%	0%
Confidence	16.1%	16.1%	54%	9.2%	4.6%
Coordination/Motor Skills	1.1%	4.6%	87.4%	6.9%	0%
Digestion	3.4%	8%	77.3%	5.7%	5.7%
Emotional Well-being	14.9%	16.1%	48.3%	11.5%	9.2%
Energy	12.6%	19.5%	46%	16.1%	5.7%
Eyesight	3.4%	10.3%	81.6%	3.4%	1.1%
Memory	3.4%	10.3%	75.9%	8%	2.3%
Mental Clarity	4.5%	10.2%	75%	4.5%	5.7%
Pain	5.7%	9.2%	72.4%	9.2%	3.4%
Patience	10.3%	10.3%	58.6%	11.5%	9.2%
Sexual Health	11.2%	16.9%	43.8%	22.5%	5.6%
Skin Complexion	4.5%	15.9%	56.8%	13.6%	9.1%
Sleep	4.5%	12.5%	63.6%	15.9%	3.4%
Stress Level	12.6%	20.7%	46%	8%	12.6%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of negative or positive changes in health and well-being experienced by users for all of the categories listed. Close

Commonly Reported Levora Side Effects

RateADrug survey participants experienced these commonly reported side effects:

Effect on:	None	Mild	Moderate	Strong	Severe
Acne	66%	19.1%	2.1%	6.4%	6.4%
Allergic Reaction	95.3%	1.2%	3.5%	0%	0%
Anxiety	54.1%	21.6%	5.4%	5.4%	13.5%
Blurred Vision	75.7%	8.1%	8.1%	8.1%	0%
Breast Tenderness	53.1%	27.2%	13.6%	3.7%	2.5%
Breathing Difficulties	78.4%	10.8%	10.8%	0%	0%
Change in Sex Drive	38.8%	20%	13.8%	22.5%	5%
Change in Weight	66.7%	0%	33.3%	0%	0%
Cold Symptoms	83.8%	2.7%	2.7%	8.1%	2.7%
Confusion	81.1%	5.4%	8.1%	5.4%	0%
Depression	53.6%	8.3%	15.5%	14.3%	8.3%
Diarrhea	78%	9.8%	4.9%	2.4%	4.9%
Dizziness	67%	11.4%	11.4%	5.7%	4.5%
Drowsiness	70.3%	5.4%	8.1%	10.8%	5.4%
Fatigue	53.4%	5.7%	11.4%	19.3%	10.2%
Fever	86.5%	5.4%	2.7%	2.7%	2.7%
Gas	73%	8.1%	13.5%	0%	5.4%
Headache	68.2%	8%	11.4%	8%	4.5%
High Blood Pressure	78.7%	17%	2.1%	0%	2.1%
Insomnia	64.9%	13.5%	10.8%	5.4%	5.4%
Irregular Bleeding	73.3%	8%	4%	8%	6.7%
Irregular Heartbeat	86.5%	0%	13.5%	0%	0%
Mood Swings	41.7%	14.3%	10.7%	8.3%	25%
Muscle Cramping	62.2%	10.8%	13.5%	10.8%	2.7%
Nausea	68.6%	8.1%	8.1%	7%	8.1%
Sensitivity to Light	89.2%	0%	0%	10.8%	0%
Sexual Dysfunction	81.1%	10.8%	0%	5.4%	2.7%
Stomach Ache	56.8%	10.8%	8.1%	16.2%	8.1%
Vomiting	66.7%	0%	0%	0%	33.3%
Yeast Infection	65.8%	11.4%	7.6%	8.9%	6.3%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of the severity of side effects experienced by users. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Less Commonly Reported Levora Side Effects

RateADrug survey participants experienced less commonly reported side effects:

Effect on:	None	Mild	Moderate	Strong	Severe
Abdominal Pain	59.6%	25.5%	6.4%	2.1%	6.4%
Anxiety	66%	6.4%	10.6%	10.6%	6.4%
Bloating	50%	0%	50%	0%	0%
Blurred Vision	71.7%	8.7%	10.9%	8.7%	0%
Breast Cancer	98.7%	0%	0%	0%	1.3%
Breathing Difficulties	91.3%	2.2%	4.3%	0%	2.2%
Cervical Cancer	97.5%	0%	0%	1.3%	1.3%
Change in Weight	41.2%	23.8%	21.2%	11.2%	2.5%
Chest Pain	84.8%	8.9%	3.8%	1.3%	1.3%
Constipation	75%	0%	0%	0%	25%
Diabetes	98.7%	1.3%	0%	0%	0%
Eye / Vision Problems	84.8%	10.1%	2.5%	1.3%	1.3%
Gas	25%	0%	50%	0%	25%
Irregular Bleeding	40%	40%	20%	0%	0%
Irregular Periods (women)	91.3%	0%	2.2%	0%	6.5%
Nervousness	83.3%	0%	16.7%	0%	0%
Numbing Sensation	91.1%	1.3%	3.8%	3.8%	0%
Pain in Limbs	89.9%	2.5%	1.3%	2.5%	3.8%
Reduced Libido	71.1%	6.7%	6.7%	13.3%	2.2%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of the severity of side effects experienced by users. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Episodes since taking Levora

Since taking Levora Rate a Drug survey participants reported these episodes:

Auto Accident	2.1%
Blindness	1.4%
Fall	2.8%

Heart attack	1.4%
Hospitalization	2.8%
Stroke	1.4%

About these Results
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the percentage of users who have experienced any of these episodes while taking their medication. Close

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User Comments about Levora

22 Mar 2013

Levora has changed my life forever, and not for the good. I ended up getting a pulmonary embolism after taking levora for only 3 months. I was having shortness of breath, and had to get admitted to the hospital. I had to be on blood thinners for 6 months. And it didn't stop there, now I am pregnant and have to take lovenox injections twice daily to prevent another clot from happening. I would not recommend this pill to anyone. It was not worth it. It was very traumatic I would wish it on anyone.

—Posted by Michele

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19 Feb 2013

Just got diagnosed with cervical dysplasia - main cause is probably from HPV, but it's unclear to me if being on birth control may have made things worse for me. Would like more research on the subject to be honest.

—Posted by Anonymous

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02 Feb 2013

I don't really have any side effects that are terrible. This is my first month taking Levora. I get a little tired & headaches from it within an hour of consuming it but it doesn't really bother me that much. I am concerned about it not shortening my period. Before I was on the pill I'd get my period for 6 days. My doctor told me I'd only have my period for 3 days max & I've had for 4 days straight. It's not crazy heavy like how I had before the pill, but it's not really showing any signs of slowing down either. Anybody have this problem? Is this breakthrough bleeding? I'm very confused. Thanks!

—Posted by Anonymous

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22 Oct 2012

I have been taking Levora for over a year now, and it has been, on the whole, a great experience. Initially, I was taking it at noon every day, and was experiencing nausea for the rest of the day. I told a friend who was also on it about this and she advised me to take it in the evening instead. Since then I've been side-effect free, and even have had fewer headaches than before I started this medication. The best advice I could give anyone who's having side-effects is to try taking it in the evening.

—Posted by RR

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11 Jan 2013

What time in the evening's do you generally take it? I'm starting it today, actually, and I've NEVER responded well to any birth control at all; nausea being one of the pre-dominant side effects and severe mood swings and bleeding. I wish I could just take it 2 hours before betime. And do you prefer taking it after the evening meal? I'm taking mine through, meaning, I don't take the placebos, because I have Endometriosis and an Endometrioma on my left ovary that we are attempting to shrink. Thank You for your help.

—Posted by Ash

17 Oct 2012

has anyone seen a different in their emotional state? i went off the pill for about two months and now that im back on i feel like im more emotinal when im taking it, and bloat worse than when im off. it might just be because now im keeping better track of when im going to start my period and when i was off i had no idea when i would start. other than those two thing im happy with the pill, no weight gain. my crapms are a lot more managablet oo

—Posted by Anonymous

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