The morning after pill would be ineffective in women over 80 kilos
Symbol of the sexual revolution and the liberation of women, the “morning after pill” has seen better days. Indeed, an article published on the American site Mother Jones informs readers that the Norlevo pill would be less effective in women over 75 kilos. Worse still, it would even be ineffective for those whose weight exceeds 80 kilos.
The following information is corroborated by the HRA Pharma laboratory which markets Norlevo. The latter, available over the counter in pharmacies but also distributed by family planning centers and hospitals, is also free for minors.
The modified Norlevo manual
The thesis of weight as a determining agent in the effectiveness of Norlevo was approved after clinical trials that took place in 2011. These, ordered by HRA Pharma in order to validate the marketing of its new emergency contraceptive called EllaOne , appear particularly eloquent. Published in October 2011 in the magazine Contraception, they highlight in particular that optimal protection of the Norlevo depends above all on the weight of the user. Thus, there are between 1% and 1.4% of accidental pregnancies in women whose weight is less than 75 kilos. Conversely, the percentage is between 5.7% and 6.4% for those whose weight exceeds 75 kilos.
Faced with such a result, the ANSM ( French Medicines Agency ) convinced the European authorities to modify the Norlevo leaflet from October 2013. Nevertheless, taking into account the time needed to draw up new leaflets, the public will only hear of the warning during the first half of 2014.
Should we be worried?
Knowing that in 2011 no less than 650,000 boxes of Norlevo were sold in France and that approximately 40% of 15-24 year olds use the “morning after pill”, Luc Massart, head of the French branch of HRA Pharma , believes that it is “important to inform the population” about the ineffectiveness of Norvelo in women weighing more than 80 kilos.
In addition, Luc Massart stresses that it is very likely that the problem does not only concern Norlevo but affects “all the morning after pills”.
However, the situation is far from alarming. Indeed, before the weight, the most determining factor concerning the effectiveness of an emergency contraceptive, remains the time. The faster the contraceptive is taken, the more effectively it works. Similarly, despite some unpleasant side effects, such as vomiting, Planned Parenthood insists that the “morning after pill” remains harmless to health.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.