Package Leaflet: Information for the User
Levobel 0.10 mg/0.02 mg film-coated tablets EFG
Levonorgestrel/Ethinylestradiol
Read this package leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
Important things to know about combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs):
Contents of the package leaflet
Contents of the pack and further information
Levobel is a contraceptive pill and is used to prevent pregnancy.
Each pill contains a small amount of two different female hormones, called levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol.
Contraceptives that contain two hormones are called “combined contraceptives”.
General considerations Before starting to use Levobel, you should read the information about blood clots in section 2. It is particularly important that you read the symptoms of a blood clot (see section 2 "Blood clots"). Before you can start taking Levobel, your doctor will ask you some questions about your medical history and that of your close relatives. Your doctor will also measure your blood pressure and, depending on your personal situation, may perform other tests. This leaflet describes several situations in which you should stop taking Levobel, or in which the reliability of Levobel may be decreased. In these situations, you should not have sex or should take additional non-hormonal contraceptive precautions, for example, use condoms or another barrier method. Do not use the rhythm or temperature method. These methods may not be reliable since Levobel alters the monthly changes in body temperature and cervical mucus. When taken correctly, combined oral contraceptives have a failure rate of approximately 1% per year. The failure rate may increase when not all pills are taken or are taken incorrectly, if you have stomach upsets or when you take other medications or herbal preparations. Levobel, like other hormonal contraceptives, does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease. |
Do not take Levobel
You should not use Levobel if you have any of the conditions listed below. Inform your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed below. Your doctor will discuss with you what other form of contraception would be more suitable.
Do not take Levobel if you have hepatitis C and are taking medicines that contain ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir, dasabuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (see also section "Other medicines and Levobel").
If any of the above conditions occur while you are using Levobel, stop taking the pills immediately and consult your doctor.
Warnings and precautions
When should you contact your doctor? Seek urgent medical attention
To get a description of the symptoms of these serious side effects, see "How to recognize a blood clot". |
Tell your doctor if you suffer from any of the following conditions.
In some situations, you need to be extra careful while using Levobel or any other combined contraceptive, and your doctor may need to examine you regularly. If any of the following conditions develop or get worse while you are using Levobel, you should also tell your doctor.
BLOOD CLOTS
The use of a combined hormonal contraceptive like Levobel increases your risk of having a blood clot compared to not using it. In rare cases, a blood clot can block blood vessels and cause serious problems.
Blood clots can form:
Recovery from blood clots is not always complete. In rare cases, there can be serious long-term effects or, very rarely, they can be fatal.
It is important to remember that the overall risk of a harmful blood clot due to Levobel is small.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE A BLOOD CLOT
Seek urgent medical attention if you notice any of the following signs or symptoms.
Are you experiencing any of these signs? | What might you be suffering from? |
| Deep vein thrombosis |
If you are unsure, consult a doctor, as some of these symptoms, such as cough or shortness of breath, can be confused with a milder condition like a respiratory infection (e.g., a "common cold"). | Pulmonary embolism |
Symptoms that occur more frequently in one eye:
| Retinal vein thrombosis (blood clot in the eye) |
| Heart attack |
Sometimes the symptoms of a stroke can be brief, with almost immediate and complete recovery, but you should still seek urgent medical attention, as you may be at risk of having another stroke. | Stroke |
| Blood clots that block other blood vessels |
BLOOD CLOTS IN A VEIN
What can happen if a blood clot forms in a vein?
When is the risk of a blood clot in a vein higher?
The risk of having a blood clot in a vein is higher during the first year you take a combined hormonal contraceptive for the first time. The risk may also be higher if you start taking a combined hormonal contraceptive (the same medicine or a different one) after a break of 4 weeks or more.
After the first year, the risk decreases, but it is always slightly higher than if you were not taking a combined hormonal contraceptive.
When you stop taking Levobel, your risk of having a blood clot returns to normal within a few weeks.
What is the risk of having a blood clot?
The risk depends on your natural risk of VTE and the type of combined hormonal contraceptive you are taking.
The overall risk of having a blood clot in the leg or lung (DVT or PE) with Levobel is small.
Risk of having a blood clot in a year | |
Women who do not usea combined hormonal contraceptive pill/patch/ring and are not pregnant. | About 2 out of 10,000 women |
Women who use a combined hormonal contraceptive pill that contains levonorgestrel, norethisterone, or norgestimate | About 5-7 out of 10,000 women |
Women who use Levobel | About 5-7 out of 10,000 women |
Factors that increase your risk of a blood clot in a vein
The risk of having a blood clot with Levobel is small, but some conditions increase the risk. Your risk is higher:
The risk of having a blood clot increases the more conditions you have.
Long-distance flights (≥ 4 hours) may temporarily increase the risk of a blood clot, especially if you have any of the other risk factors listed.
It is important to tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions, even if you are not sure. Your doctor may decide that you should stop using Levobel.
If any of these conditions change while you are using Levobel, for example, a close relative experiences a clot without known cause or you gain much weight, tell your doctor.
BLOOD CLOTS IN AN ARTERY
What can happen if a blood clot forms in an artery?
Like a blood clot in a vein, a clot in an artery can cause serious problems. For example, it can cause a heart attack or stroke.
Factors that increase your risk of a blood clot in an artery
It is important to note that the risk of a heart attack or stroke due to Levobel is very small, but it may increase:
If you have one or more of these conditions or if any of them are particularly severe, the risk of having a blood clot may be increased even further.
If any of these conditions change while you are using Levobel, for example, you start smoking, a close relative experiences a clot without known cause, or you gain much weight, tell your doctor.
Levobel and cancer
Cervical cancer has been reported in long-term users, but it is not clear if this is due to sexual behaviour or other factors such as the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Breast cancer has been reported with a slightly higher frequency in women who use combined contraceptives, but it is not known if this is due to the treatment. For example, it may be that more tumours are detected in women who take combined contraceptives because they are examined by a doctor more often. The incidence of breast tumours decreases gradually after stopping combined hormonal contraceptives. It is important to have your breasts checked regularly and you should see your doctor if you notice any lump.
Benign liver tumours (non-cancerous) are rare, and in an even smaller number of cases, malignant liver tumours (cancerous) have been reported in users of combined contraceptives. Consult your doctor if you experience unusually severe abdominal pain.
Psychiatric disorders
Some women who use hormonal contraceptives like Levobel have reported depression or depressed mood. Depression can be severe and sometimes may lead to suicidal thoughts. If you experience mood changes and depressive symptoms, contact your doctor for further medical advice as soon as possible.
Bleeding between periods
During the first few months that you are taking Levobel, you may experience bleeding between periods. This may be ...
Follow exactly the administration instructions of this medication indicated by your doctor or pharmacist. In case of doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.
Each blister pack contains 21 pills. Each pill is marked with the day of the week it should be taken. For example, if you start taking the pills on a Tuesday, press the pill through the aluminum foil, in the position marked with "TUE". Take the pills every day in the order indicated by the arrows.
Take one Levobel pill every day for 21 days, if necessary with a small amount of water. You can take the pills with or without food, but you should take the pills approximately at the same time every day.
The blister pack contains 21 pills.
Along with the blister packs, adhesive labels with the days of the week are attached. Choose the label that starts with the first day you take the pill. Place the strip on the blister pack, over the words "START. Place the label here". Each day will align with a row of pills. It is essential that you take your pill every day. Take the first pill from the first row where the word "START" appears. Follow the direction of the arrow indicated on the packaging until you have taken all 21 pills.
Once you have finished the 21 pills, you will not take any pills for the next 7 days. Your period (withdrawal bleeding) will start during these 7 days, usually 2 or 3 days after taking the last Levobel pill.
Start the next blister pack on the 8th day, even if your period is still ongoing. This way, you will always start a new pack on the same day of the week, and withdrawal bleeding will occur approximately at the same time every month.
When can you start with the first pack
Start taking Levobel on the first day of your cycle (i.e., the first day of your period). If you start taking Levobel on the first day of your menstruation, you will be protected immediately against pregnancy. You can also start on days 2-5 of your cycle, but then you must use additional contraceptive methods (e.g., a condom) for the first 7 days.
Start taking Levobel the day after taking the last active pill of your previous contraceptive, or at the latest on the day after the rest week of your previous contraceptive or after taking the last placebo pill of your previous contraceptive. In the case of a vaginal ring or patch, start taking Levobel the day of removal of the last ring or patch of a cycle, or at the latest when the next application is due.
You can switch from a progestogen-only pill to Levobel on any day (if it's an implant or intrauterine system, on the day of removal; if it's an injectable, when the next injection is due), but in all cases, use additional contraceptive measures (e.g., a condom) for the first 7 days of pill taking.
Follow your doctor's recommendations.
You can start taking Levobel between 21 and 28 days after giving birth or having an abortion in the second trimester. If you start later than day 28, use a barrier method (e.g., a condom) for the first 7 days of Levobel use.
If, after having a child, you have already had sexual intercourse before starting to take Levobel again, you should be sure you are not pregnant or wait until your next menstrual period before taking Levobel.
Read the section "Breastfeeding".
Ask your doctor if you are not sure when to start.
Use in children and adolescents
You should not take Levobel before you start having your period.
Use in elderly patients
You should not take Levobel after menopause.
Use in patients with liver problems
You should not take Levobel if you have severe liver problems.
Use in patients with kidney problems
Consult your doctor before starting to take Levobel if you have kidney problems.
If you take more Levobel than you should
No cases have been reported where an overdose of Levobel has caused serious harm. If you take several pills at once, you may have symptoms of nausea or vomiting. Little girls may experience vaginal bleeding. Even girls who have not yet started their period but have taken this medication accidentally may experience such bleeding.
If you have taken too many Levobel pills, or if you discover that a child has taken them, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service, phone 91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount ingested.
If you forget to take Levobel
Therefore, you should follow the following recommendations (see also the diagram below):
Take the last missed pill as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two pills at once. Then, continue taking the pills at the usual time. Additionally, you should use a barrier method, such as a condom, for the next 7 days. If you have had sexual intercourse in the 7 days before missing a pill, you may be pregnant. The more pills you have missed, and the closer you are to the rest week, the higher the risk of pregnancy. Consult your doctor if this happens.
Take the last missed pill as soon as you remember, even if it means taking two pills at once. Then, continue taking the pills at the usual time. If you have taken the pills correctly in the 7 days before missing the first pill, you do not need to take additional contraceptive precautions. If you have not taken the pills correctly or have missed more than one pill, you should take additional contraceptive precautions for the next 7 days.
The risk of pregnancy increases the closer you get to the rest week. However, pregnancy can still be prevented by adjusting the dose.
If you follow these tips, you do not need to take additional contraceptive precautions, provided that all pills have been taken correctly in the 7 days before missing the first pill. If this is not the case, you should follow the first of these two options and take additional contraceptive precautions also during the next 7 days.
What to do in case of vomiting or severe diarrhea
Vomiting or diarrhea can make Levobel less effective in preventing pregnancy.
If you vomit within 3-4 hours after taking a pill or have severe diarrhea, there is a risk that the active ingredients of the contraceptive will not be fully absorbed by the body. The situation is almost the same as when you miss a pill. After vomiting or having diarrhea, you should take a pill from a reserve pack as soon as possible. If possible, take it within 12 hours of the time you usually take your contraceptive. If it is not possible or more than 12 hours have passed, follow the advice in the section "If you forget to take Levobel".
If you do not want to change your usual pill-taking routine, you can take the extra pill from another pack.
If vomiting or diarrhea continues, consult your doctor. You will need to use additional contraceptive measures.
Delayed period: what you should know
Although it is not recommended, you can delay your period if instead of continuing with the rest week you start taking a new pack of Levobel and finish it. You may experience light bleeding or spotting while using the second pack. After the usual 7-day rest week, startthe next pack.
It is advisable to consult your doctor before deciding to delay your menstrual period.
Changing the first day of your period: what you should know
If you take the pills according to the instructions, your period will start during the rest week. If you need to change that day, reduce the number of rest days (but never increase them – the maximum is 7!). For example, if your rest days usually start on Fridays and you want to change to Tuesdays (3 days earlier), start a new pack 3 days earlier than usual. If you make the rest week very short (e.g., 3 days or less), you may not have bleeding during these days. You may experience light bleeding or spotting.
If you are not sure how to proceed, consult your doctor.
If you interrupt treatment with Levobel
You can stop taking Levobel whenever you want. If you do not want to become pregnant, consult your doctor about other effective birth control methods. If you want to become pregnant, stop taking Levobel and wait until your period before trying to become pregnant. This way, you will be able to calculate the estimated date of delivery more easily.
If you have any other questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not all people suffer from them. If you experience any adverse effect, especially if it is severe and persistent, or if you have any change in your health that you think may be due to Levobel, consult your doctor.
Severe Adverse Effects
Contact a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms of angioedema: swelling of the face, tongue and/or throat, and/or difficulty swallowing or urticaria with possible difficulty breathing (see also the section "Warnings and Precautions").
All women who take combined hormonal contraceptives are at a higher risk of developing blood clots in the veins (venous thromboembolism (VTE)) or blood clots in the arteries (arterial thromboembolism (ATE)). For more detailed information on the different risks of taking combined hormonal contraceptives, see section 2 "What you need to know before taking Levobel".
The following list of adverse effects has been associated with the use of Levobel:
The likelihood of suffering a blood clot may be higher if you have any other disease that increases the risk (see section 2 for more information on diseases that increase the risk of blood clots and symptoms of a blood clot).
Description of Selected Adverse Reactions
The following adverse reactions are listed with a very low frequency or delayed onset of symptoms that are considered related to the group of combined oral contraceptives (see also the sections "Do not take Levobel" and "Warnings and Precautions"):
Tumors
Other Conditions
Interactions
Unexpected bleeding and/or contraceptive failure may occur due to the interaction of other medications with oral contraceptives (e.g., St. John's Wort, or medications for epilepsy, tuberculosis, HIV infections, and other infections). See the section "Other medications and Levobel".
The following diseases may appear or worsen with combined oral contraceptives: Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, epilepsy, migraine, cervical cancer, porphyria (a metabolic disorder that causes abdominal pain and mental disorders), systemic lupus erythematosus (the body attacks and damages its own organs and tissues), herpes at the end of pregnancy, Sydenham's chorea (rapid, involuntary muscle movements), hemolytic uremic syndrome (a disorder that occurs after diarrhea caused by E. coli), liver problems with jaundice, gallbladder disorders or bile stone formation, hearing loss.
Reporting of Adverse Effects
If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, even if it is a possible adverse effect that does not appear in this prospectus. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting adverse effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.
This medicine does not require special storage conditions.
Expiry Date
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the packaging after "CAD". The expiry date is the last day of the month indicated.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Deposit the packaging and any unused medicines in the SIGRE Point of the pharmacy. This will help protect the environment.
Composition of Levobel
Appearance of the Product and Package Contents
Round, film-coated pink tablets.
Levobel is available in blisters of 21 tablets.
Package sizes are 1, 3, or 6 blisters, and each blister contains 21 tablets.
Only some package sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorization Holder
Laboratorios Effik, S.A.
C/ San Rafael, 3
28108 Alcobendas, Madrid
Spain
Manufacturer
Laboratorios León Farma, S.A.
Pol. Ind. Navatejera
La Vallina s/n
24193 Villaquilambre, León
Spain
or
Hormosan Pharma GmbH
Hanauer Landstraße 139-143
60314 Frankfurt am Main
Germany
This medicine is authorized in the Member States of the European Economic Area under the following names:
Austria Madonella mite
Portugal Effilevo
Spain Levobel
Germany Maexeni
Date of the Last Revision of this Prospectus: April 2023
Updated information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) (http://www.aemps.gob.es/).
The average price of LEVOBEL 0.10 MG/0.02 MG FILM-COATED TABLETS in October, 2025 is around 2.5 EUR. Prices may vary depending on the region, pharmacy, and whether a prescription is required. Always check with a local pharmacy or online source for the most accurate information.