Emergency
Pregnancy Prevention. Information from the maker's of Plan B®
What it is, How to get it, and How it works
What
is Plan B?
Plan B (levonorgestrel) tablets, 0.75 mg is the only FDA-approved
progestin-only emergency contraceptive for use to prevent pregnancy
after a contraceptive failure (i.e. broken condom, etc.) or unprotected
intercourse.
Plan B is an emergency
contraceptive indicated for the prevention of pregnancy within three
days (72 hours) following contraceptive failure, sexual assault, or
unprotected intercourse.
Plan B consists
of two 0.75 mg levonorgestrel tablets, an ingredient found in many
traditional oral contraceptives.
Where
can women get Plan B?
Plan B is available to women of all ages by prescription through a
healthcare provider.
Women should talk
to their healthcare provider and, if indicated, request an advance
prescription for Plan B so it will be there for them – in time
– if they ever need it. Plan B is also widely dispensed through
clinics such as Planned Parenthood.
Recognizing the
importance of direct access to emergency contraception here in the
United States, eight states currently allow certain licensed pharmacists
to dispense Plan B® directly to women. These states include Alaska,
California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
and Washington. How does Plan B work?
Similar to other
oral contraceptives, Plan B works by preventing ovulation or fertilization;
it may also inhibit implantation. Once implantation begins, Plan B
is not effective.
Plan B will not
work if a woman is already pregnant.
The first tablet
of Plan B should be taken orally as soon as possible within three
days (72 hours) of a contraceptive failure or unprotected intercourse.
The second tablet should be taken 12 hours later.
Is
Plan B safe and effective?
Plan B has been shown to reduce the risk of pregnancy by 89 percent
when taken within three days (72 hours) of a contraceptive failure.
It is more effective when taken in the first 24 hours after intercourse1.
When used as directed,
Plan B is safe for most women. The most common side effect associated
with Plan B is nausea.
Women may experience
menstrual changes after taking Plan B®. In some cases, their next
periods may be heavier or lighter, earlier or later. It is important
for women to consult a healthcare professional if their scheduled
period is more than one week late or if they experience severe abdominal
pain.
Important
Information
Women who are
pregnant, have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, or have an allergy to
the product should not use Plan B.
There is no evidence
that Plan B would harm a pregnant woman or a developing fetus.
Plan B is not
a substitute for a primary birth control method.
Plan B, like oral
contraceptives, does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or other
sexually transmitted diseases.
Common side effects
associated with the use of Plan B included nausea, abdominal pain,
menstrual changes, dizziness, breast tenderness and vomiting.
Plan B is marketed by Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Duramed Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The
information presented here is solely their information.
Barr Pharmaceuticals,
Inc., a holding company that operates through its principal subsidiaries,
Barr Laboratories, Inc. and Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is engaged
in the development, manufacturing and marketing of generic and proprietary
pharmaceuticals.
Please see full
prescribing information. For more information, please visit www.go2planb.com.
Update: The Morning After Pill is
APPROVED!
