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| Medication Name | Levest 150/30 Tablets |
| Medication Form | Coated tablet |
| Used For | Prevention of pregnancy (contraception) |
| Who Can Use | Women of childbearing age |
| Active Ingredient(s) | Levonorgestrel 150 micrograms, ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms |
| Usual Dose | One tablet daily for 21 days, followed by a 7-day break |
| Common Side Effects | Nausea, headache, breast tenderness, mood changes |
| Prescription Required | Yes |
| Patient Information Leaflet | Levest Contraceptive Pill Patient Information Leaflet |
Levest is a prescription contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy.You take one tablet daily for 21 days, then have a 7-day break. During this break you’ll usually have a withdrawal bleed, and you remain protected against pregnancy throughout, provided you’ve taken your pills correctly and start your next strip on time.
Levest can also make periods more regular, lighter and less painful, and may help with pre-menstrual symptoms.
Levest contains two synthetic hormones: levonorgestrel (a progestogen), and ethinylestradiol (an oestrogen). Together, they prevent pregnancy in three ways.
Most women can take Levest, but there are some health conditions which mean it is not advisable. Your doctor or pharmacist will review your medical history before prescribing it.
Don’t use Levest if you:
Speak to your doctor before using Levest if you:
It’s best to start Levest on the first day of your period, which gives you immediate contraceptive protection. If you start on days 2 to 5, use additional contraception like condoms for the first 7 days.
Take your pill at the same time each day, following the direction of the arrows on the strip. Swallow it whole with water. Don’t chew it. The pill must be taken correctly to maintain contraceptive protection.
You’re protected during the 7-day break as long as you’ve taken all 21 pills correctly and start your next strip on time.
If you vomit within 4 hours of taking a tablet or have severe diarrhoea for over 12 hours, your body may not have absorbed the full dose. You should treat it as a missed pill and speak to your doctor or pharmacist if your illness continues.
Like all medicines, Levest can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them.
For a full list of side effects, see the Levest patient information leaflet.
Spotting or breakthrough bleeding between periods can occur in the first few months but usually settles once your body has adjusted to Levest. If it continues, becomes heavy or starts again after stopping, speak to your doctor
Brown or yellow patches on the skin (melasma), which may be reduced by avoiding excessive sun exposure or UV lamps
Stop taking Levest and get immediate medical help if you experience signs of a blood clot, a severe allergic reaction, or liver problems.
If you notice any side effects not listed here, tell your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects directly via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
Active ingredients: levonorgestrel 150 micrograms and ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms per tablet
Other ingredients: lactose monohydrate, maize starch, povidone k-25, sucrose, talc, calcium carbonate, povidone k-90, glycerin, macrogol 6000, titanium dioxide, magnesium stearate and carnauba wax
Levest contains lactose and sucrose. If you’ve been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, speak to your doctor before taking this medicine
Levest is a hormonal contraceptive. It contains levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol, the same hormones found in several other combined pills. The difference between combined pills often comes down to the type and dose of progestogen used, which can affect how well individual women tolerate them. If you’ve experienced side effects on another pill, speak to your doctor or pharmacist, who can advise whether switching to a different formulation might help.
If you start Levest on the first day of your period, you’re protected against pregnancy straight away. If you start on days 2 to 5 of your cycle, you’ll need to use additional contraception like condoms for the first 7 days. If you’re switching from another combined pill, you’re protected from the first tablet as long as you follow the switching instructions correctly.
If you’re less than 12 hours late taking a Levest pill, take it straight away and continue as normal. Your contraceptive protection isn’t affected.
If you’re more than 12 hours late, take the most recently missed pill straight away and leave any earlier missed pills in the strip. Continue taking the rest of the strip as usual, and use additional contraception such as condoms for the next 7 days. If fewer than 7 pills remain in the strip, start your next strip without a break. If you missed pills in the first week of the strip and had unprotected sex, speak to your doctor or pharmacist about emergency contraception as soon as possible.
To delay your period, finish your current strip of Levest and start the next one straight away without a 7-day break. Take the second strip as usual, then take your normal break afterwards. You may experience some spotting or breakthrough bleeding during the second strip, but this isn’t harmful. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before doing this if you’re unsure.
Alcohol doesn’t affect how Levest works. However, drinking heavily increases the risk of vomiting, and if you vomit within 4 hours of taking a tablet, your body may not have absorbed the full dose. If this happens, follow the missed pill guidance or speak to your pharmacist.
Weight gain is listed as a common side effect of Levest, meaning it may affect up to 1 in 10 people. If you notice significant or unexplained weight changes after starting Levest, speak to your doctor, who can review your treatment and advise if an adjustment is needed.
Your periods may take a little while to return to their natural pattern after stopping Levest. If you’re planning a pregnancy, it’s worth waiting until you’ve had one natural period before trying to conceive, so your doctor can accurately date the pregnancy. If you stop Levest and don’t want to get pregnant, start using another method of contraception straight away.
Levest and Microgynon 30 contain the same active ingredients at the same doses: levonorgestrel 150 micrograms and ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms. They work in the same way, are equally effective and carry the same side effect profile. The difference is the manufacturer: Levest is made by Morningside Healthcare; Microgynon by Bayer, and some of the inactive ingredients differ slightly. If you’ve been switched between the two by a GP or pharmacist, you’re protected from pregnancy as long as you follow their advice about switching from one to the other.
Levest is a combined contraceptive pill, not a mini pill. The difference comes down to the hormones involved. Levest is a contraceptive pill containing ethinylestradiol (an oestrogen) alongside levonorgestrel (a progestogen), whereas the mini pill contains only a progestogen with no oestrogen.
If you’re unsure which is the right option for you, speak to a doctor or pharmacist. There are several different contraceptive options available, and the best choice depends on your medical history and individual circumstances.
Levest can be a good option for women who experience heavy or painful periods. As a combined contraceptive pill, Levest tends to make periods lighter, more regular and less painful over time, which many women find a significant benefit alongside the contraceptive protection it provides. If heavy periods are a concern for you, it’s worth mentioning this to your doctor or pharmacist when discussing contraceptive options, as they can help confirm whether Levest is the right fit for your circumstances.
“For many women, Levest makes periods more regular, lighter and less painful, and takes the edge off pre-menstrual symptoms too. Patients often notice a real improvement in how they feel throughout their cycle.”
Dr Hussain Ahmad
Page content authored by Amjad Khan, last reviewed by Mr Muhammad on 25th June 2026.
