morning after pill

Morning After Pill / Plan B / Emergency Contraception

The “morning after pill” is a large dose of oral contraceptive. Known as Plan B, the pill is actually 2 tablets, one taken within 72 hours of intercourse and the second 12 hours later. It is NOT the same as RU-486.

Plan B is believed to act as an emergency contraceptive principally by preventing ovulation or fertilization. In addition, it may inhibit implantation of an already fertilized egg. It is not effective once the process of implantation has begun.

Emergency contraception is not effective if a woman is already pregnant.

• Plan B does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases.
• The most common side effects in the Plan B clinical trial were nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, and menstrual changes.
• The manufacturer warns that Plan B is not recommended for routine use as a contraceptive.

Source: Manufacturer's Prescribing Information for Plan B (Levonorgestrel) tablets, 0.75 mg. Mfg. by Gedeon Richter, Ltd., Budapest, Hungary for Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Subsidiary of Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Pomona, NY 10970. Revised Feb 2004. BR-038 / 21000382503