Escapelle vs Postinor 2: Differences, How to Take Each & Which to Choose
Escapelle or Postinor 2? The quick answer
Escapelle and Postinor 2 contain the same active ingredient, levonorgestrel, at the same total dose of 1.5 mg. The main difference is the pack: Escapelle is a single 1.5 mg tablet, while Postinor 2 is two 0.75 mg tablets. Both work best when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex, ideally within 12 to 24 hours and no later than 72 hours.
In short:
- Same medicine, same dose. Both deliver 1.5 mg levonorgestrel.
- Escapelle = 1 tablet, 1 step. Nothing to time or remember later.
- Postinor 2 = 2 tablets. Current guidance supports taking both together.
- Speed matters more than brand. The sooner you take either, the better it works.
- Neither ends a pregnancy. They help prevent pregnancy; they are not an abortion pill.
If you need emergency contraception now, don’t wait to compare. Order Escapelle on DoctorOnCall for fast, discreet delivery, with a licensed pharmacist available to answer your questions.
Escapelle vs Postinor 2 at a glance
| Escapelle | Postinor 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Levonorgestrel | Levonorgestrel |
| Tablets per pack | 1 | 2 |
| Strength per tablet | 1.5 mg | 0.75 mg |
| Total dose | 1.5 mg | 1.5 mg |
| How to take | 1 tablet, once | 2 tablets together (or as directed on the leaflet) |
| Time window | As soon as possible, within 72 hours | As soon as possible, within 72 hours |
| Effectiveness | Same: depends on how quickly it is taken | Same: depends on how quickly it is taken |
| Common side effects | Nausea, headache, tiredness, breast tenderness, spotting | Same |
| Price on DoctorOnCall | RM [add] | RM [add] |
Because the active ingredient and total dose are identical, neither pill is “stronger” than the other. Your choice comes down to convenience, availability and price.
How do Escapelle and Postinor 2 work?
Both pills work mainly by delaying or preventing ovulation, so no egg is released for sperm to fertilise. Sperm can survive in the body for up to 5 days, so stopping ovulation during that window can prevent pregnancy.
This is also why timing matters. Once ovulation has already happened, levonorgestrel is much less effective.
What these pills do not do:
- They do not end or harm an existing pregnancy.
- They do not protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- They do not protect you from pregnancy if you have unprotected sex again later in the same cycle.
Emergency contraception is a backup, not a regular method. If you need it often, speak to a doctor about ongoing contraception that suits you.
How to take Escapelle and Postinor 2
How to take Escapelle
- Take the single tablet as soon as possible after unprotected sex, and within 72 hours.
- Swallow it whole with water. You can take it with or without food.
- That’s it. There is no second dose to remember.
How to take Postinor 2
- Take the tablets as soon as possible after unprotected sex, and within 72 hours.
- Current WHO guidance supports taking both tablets together as a single dose, which works as well as taking them 12 hours apart and means you can’t miss the second tablet.
- Follow the leaflet in your pack, or your pharmacist’s instructions, if they differ.
For both pills
- If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the pill, it may not have been absorbed. Contact a pharmacist or doctor straight away, as you may need another dose.
- If you take other medicines, tell your pharmacist. Some medicines for epilepsy, tuberculosis, HIV, and the herbal remedy St John’s Wort can make levonorgestrel less effective.
- If you are breastfeeding, small amounts pass into breast milk. Taking the pill straight after a feed reduces how much your baby is exposed to.
- Use condoms until your next period. The pill does not protect you for the rest of your cycle.
How effective are they?
Escapelle and Postinor 2 are equally effective, because they contain the same dose of the same medicine. What changes effectiveness is how quickly you take it.
| Time since unprotected sex | Approximate pregnancies prevented |
|---|---|
| Within 24 hours | Up to 95% |
| 25 to 48 hours | About 85% |
| 49 to 72 hours | About 58% |
Figures come from the original WHO levonorgestrel trial and appear in product leaflets. They are estimates, not guarantees.
A few other things can affect how well it works:
- Where you are in your cycle. If you have already ovulated, the pill is less likely to work.
- Body weight. Some studies suggest levonorgestrel may work less well at higher body weight. If this concerns you, ask a pharmacist or doctor about your options.
- Other medicines. Enzyme-inducing medicines can lower its effect (see above).
The takeaway is simple: don’t wait. Keeping a pill at home, or ordering online the moment you need it, gives you the best chance.
Side effects and what to expect after
Side effects are the same for both pills and are usually mild, passing within a day or two. They can include:
- Nausea or, less often, vomiting
- Headache or dizziness
- Tiredness
- Lower abdominal pain
- Breast tenderness
- Spotting or irregular bleeding
Your next period may come a few days earlier or later than usual. Most people get their period within a week of when they expected it.
Take a pregnancy test if your period is more than 7 days late, unusually light, or unusually short.
See a doctor urgently if you have severe lower abdominal pain, especially on one side. This can be a sign of ectopic pregnancy, which needs immediate medical care.
Which should you choose?
The best emergency pill is the one you can take soonest. Since Escapelle and Postinor 2 work the same way at the same dose, choose based on what suits you.
Choose Escapelle if you want:
- One tablet, one step, with nothing to time or remember
- The simplest option when you’re stressed or in a hurry
Choose Postinor 2 if:
- It’s the brand you already know or already have at home
- It’s what’s available to you fastest
Not sure which suits you, or taking other medicines? A DoctorOnCall pharmacist can check before you order.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get pregnant after taking Postinor 2?
Yes, it’s possible. Postinor 2 and Escapelle greatly reduce the chance of pregnancy but don’t prevent every one, especially if taken later or after ovulation. You can also get pregnant if you have unprotected sex again later in the same cycle. Take a pregnancy test if your period is more than 7 days late.
Can Postinor 2 remove an unwanted pregnancy?
No. Postinor 2 is not an abortion pill. It works by preventing or delaying ovulation, so it cannot end a pregnancy that has already started. If you think you may already be pregnant, take a pregnancy test and speak to a doctor.
Is Escapelle stronger than Postinor 2?
No. Both contain 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel in total. Escapelle puts it in one tablet; Postinor 2 splits it across two.
Can I take both Postinor 2 tablets at once?
Yes. WHO guidance supports taking both tablets together as a single dose. It is as effective as taking them 12 hours apart. Follow your pack leaflet or pharmacist if their instructions differ.
How late can I take the morning-after pill?
Both pills are licensed for use within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex. Effectiveness drops the longer you wait, so take it as soon as you can.
Does the morning-after pill affect future fertility?
No. Levonorgestrel emergency contraception does not affect your ability to get pregnant in the future.
Can I use it more than once in a cycle?
It can be used more than once if needed, but it is less effective than regular contraception and can make your cycle more irregular. If you’re relying on it often, talk to a doctor about a regular method.
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Every hour counts. Order Escapelle from DoctorOnCall’s online pharmacy for discreet delivery, and speak to a licensed pharmacist if you have any questions before you take it.
References
- World Health Organization. Emergency contraception fact sheet.
- Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH). Clinical Guideline: Emergency Contraception.
- Escapelle 1.5 mg tablet: patient information leaflet (Gedeon Richter).
- Postinor-2 0.75 mg tablets: patient information leaflet.
- Task Force on Postovulatory Methods of Fertility Regulation. Randomised controlled trial of levonorgestrel versus the Yuzpe regimen of combined oral contraceptives for emergency contraception. The Lancet, 1998.
