Precautions
Short-term side effects that may result from emergency contraceptive pill usage include:
- dizziness
- fatigue
- a headache
- irregular bleeding between periods
- nausea
- stomach cramps
- tender breasts
- vomiting
How many pills are in Plan B?
Yes! You can buy Plan B One-Step over-the-counter (without a prescription) no matter how old you are. There is confusion over who can buy Plan B One-Step because there was a lot of back-and-forth decision-making and debate between the FDA and the courts over age requirements.
Should I buy a Plan B pill?
Why is Plan B so expensive? “The price is a result of market forces, company interest and profit,” Elizabeth Gay, a program director at the Reproductive Health Technologies Project, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing reproductive freedom, tells Bustle. “I think that’s something women’s health advocates need to address in the future….
Why is the Plan B pill so expensive?
The FDA labeling for the Plan B emergency contraceptive says Plan B may work by preventing implantation of the fertilized egg. This has created controversy over its use. Research, however, shows that Plan B does not work this way. Instead, it works by preventing ovulation and fertilization of the egg.
Does the Plan B pill really work?
Is the generic Plan B as effective?
Don't be afraid to buy the generic or store-brand versions of Plan B. The brand-name product can cost as much as $50 in some stores. The generic versions are just as effective and can save you as much as $40 in some places.
What is the cheapest version of Plan B?
As it's branded, Plan B is the most expensive levonorgestrel EC pill. But there are plenty of other levonorgestrel options —the cheapest is usually AfterPill, which can be bought online for $20 plus $5 shipping.
Is generic Plan B the same as Plan B?
According to Planned Parenthood, brand-name Plan B One-Step usually costs $40 to $50, though generic options can cost as little as $11. All versions are essentially the same levonorgestrel hormonal pill. Plan B One-Step is also available on the brand's website, as well as at discounted rates via GoodRx.
What can I take similar to Plan B?
There are many Plan B alternatives for emergency contraception, such as the Ella, Take Action, and My Choice pills. Someone can also get a Paragard IUD, which is suitable for regular use. The best option depends on various factors, such as the individual's weight and whether they are breastfeeding.
Does generic morning-after pill work?
Studies show that if you take emergency contraception within 72 hours of sex, you have only a 1% to 2% chance of getting pregnant. Plan B One-Step and generic levonorgestrel work best if you take them within 3 days after sex, but they may work up to 5 days after sex.
Can you get Plan B for free?
If you're insured, you may be able to obtain Plan B for free. But even if you're not insured, you may be able to receive it for free or at a low cost from Planned Parenthood, your local health department, or other local low-cost clinics.
Does the brand of Plan B matter?
Though there are many different brands of levonorgestrel morning-after pills, they all work the same way. All brands have the same amount of medicine and the same effectiveness, no matter how much they cost.
Can you get Plan B at Dollar General?
Plan B and other emergency contraceptives are not available at Dollar General. Because of this, they may be found at most pharmacies and major retail establishments. Plan B does not require a prescription and there is no minimum age to purchase it.
Should I take Ella or Plan B?
Ella is more effective than Plan B between 3 and 5 days after unprotected sex. Some studies have found that emergency contraceptive pills may not work as well if you weigh more than 165 lbs. If you weigh more than 165 lbs., ella is considered the more effective pill to take for emergency contraception.
Which emergency pill is the best?
ella is the most effective type of morning-after pill. You need a prescription from a nurse or doctor to get ella emergency contraception, but you can get a fast medical consultation and prescription with next-day delivery online.
How Effective Is Plan B One-Step and Other levonorgestrel Morning-After pills?
A levonorgestrel morning-after pill like Plan B One Step, Next Choice One Dose, Take Action, My Way, and AfterPill can lower your chance of getting...
How Do Plan B and Other levonorgestrel Morning-After Pills Work?
Take levonorgestrel morning-after pills (like Plan B One-Step, Next Choice One Dose, Take Action, My Way, and AfterPill) as soon as you can after u...
Does The Plan B Morning-After Pill Have Side Effects?
The morning-after pill is super safe, and Plan B side effects aren’t super common. There have been no reports of serious problems out of the millio...
Where Can I Get The Plan B Morning-After Pill?
You can buy levonorgestrel morning-after pills (like Plan B One-Step, Next Choice One Dose, Take Action, and My Way) over the counter without a pre...
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use Plan B if you are allergic to levonorgestrel.Do not use this medicine if you are already pregnant. Plan B will not terminate a p...
How Should I Take Plan B?
Use Plan B exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommende...
What Happens If I Overdose?
Because this medicine is supplied as a single tablet in an exact strength, an overdose is unlikely to occur when the Plan B is used as directed. Do...
What Should I Avoid While Taking Plan B?
Plan B will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases--including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from the...
What Other Drugs Will Affect Plan B?
Certain other medications can make Plan B less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Do not take this medicine without telling your doctor or p...
What is Plan B?
Plan B (levonorgestrel) is a female hormone that can cause changes in your cervix, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus. Plan B One-Step is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or failure of other forms of birth control (such as condom breakage, ...
How long after sex can you take Plan B?
Plan B One-Step must be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex (no later than 72 hours afterward). Call your doctor right away if you vomit within 2 hours after taking this medicine.
What to do if you are allergic to Plan B?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Plan B One-Step: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor or seek emergency medical help if you have severe pain in your lower stomach or side.
Can you use Plan B if you are pregnant?
Do not use Plan B One-Step if you are already pregnant. Levonorgestrel will not terminate a pregnancy that has already begun (the fertilized egg has attached to the uterus). Plan B One-Step is not intended for use as a routine form of birth control and should not be used in this manner.
Can you take Plan B if you are allergic to levonorgestrel?
You should not use Plan B One-Step if you are allergic to levonorgestrel. Do not use this medicine if you are already pregnant. Plan B One-Step will not terminate a pregnancy that has already begun (the fertilized egg has attached to the uterus).
Can you take levonorgestrel with breast milk?
Certain medications can make levonorgestrel less effective as an emergency form of contraception. Levonorgestrel may slow breast milk production. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
What is Plan B?
Plan B is an OTC and prescription medicine used to as emergency pot-coital contraception. Plan B may be used alone or with other medications. Plan B belongs to a class of drugs called Progestins; Contraceptives, Oral.
How does Plan B work?
Plan B is believed to act as an emergency contraceptive principally by preventing ovulation or fertilization (by altering tubal transport of sperm and/or ova ). In addition, it may inhibit implantation (by altering the endometrium ). It is not effective once the process of implantation has begun.
How soon after unprotected intercourse can you take Plan B?
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION. Take one tablet of Plan B orally as soon as possible within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse or a known or suspected contraceptive failure. Efficacy is better if the tablet is taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse.
How long after taking Plan B can you vomit?
Information For Patients. Take Plan B as soon as possible and not more than 72 hours after unprotected intercourse or a known or suspected contraceptive failure. If you vomit within two hours of taking either tablet, immediately contact your healthcare provider to discuss whether to take another tablet.
How long does it take to get pregnant after birth control?
You have 72 hours (3 days) to try to prevent pregnancy after birth control failure or unprotected sex. The sooner you take Plan B®, the better it works. Take the first Plan B ® tablet as soon as possible within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex.
How long does it take for stomach pain to go away after taking Plan B?
severe lower stomach pain, especially 3-5 weeks after taking the pill. Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above. The most common side effects of Plan B include: mild stomach pain, breast pain or tenderness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache,
Is Plan B bioavailable?
No specific investigation of the absolute bioavailability of Plan B in humans has been conducted. However, literature indicates that levonorgestrel is rapidly and completely absorbed after oral administration (bioavailability about 100%) and is not subject to first pass metabolism.
How does Plan B work?
Plan B is believed to act as an emergency contraceptive principally by preventing ovulation or fertilization (by altering tubal transport of sperm and/or ova). In addition, it may inhibit implantation (by altering the endometrium). It is not effective once the process of implantation has begun.
How soon after a pregnancy can you take Plan B?
To obtain optimal efficacy, the first tablet should be taken as soon as possible within 72 hours of intercourse. The second tablet should be taken 12 hours later.
What drugs can decrease progestin levels?
Drugs or herbal products that induce enzymes, including CYP3A4, that metabolize progestins may decrease the plasma concentrations of progestins, and may decrease the effectiveness of progestin-only pills. Some drugs or herbal products that may decrease the effectiveness of progestin-only pills include: barbiturates.
How long after taking Plan B can you vomit?
Information for Patients. Take Plan B as soon as possible and not more than 72 hours after unprotected intercourse or a known or suspected contraceptive failure. If you vomit within two hours of taking either tablet, immediately contact your healthcare provider to discuss whether to take another tablet.
How long after sex can you take Plan B?
The sooner you take the first tablet, the better Plan B® will work. Take the second tablet 12 hours later.
Is Plan B bioavailable?
No specific investigation of the absolute bioavailability of Plan B in humans has been conducted. However, literature indicates that levonorgestrel is rapidly and completely absorbed after oral administration (bioavailability about 100%) and is not subject to first pass metabolism.
Does race affect Plan B?
Race: No formal studies have evaluated the effect of race on pharmacokinetics of Plan B. However, clinical trials demonstrated a higher pregnancy rate in Chinese women with both Plan B and the Yuzpe regimen (another form of emergency contraception).
What is Plan B?
What exactly is it? Plan B — also known as the “morning-after pill” — is a type of emergency contraception (EC).
How much does Plan B cost?
Expect to pay between $40 and $50 for Plan B. As Plan B is a branded form of EC, it tends to be more expensive. Generic levonorgestrel pills cost less and work in the exact same way. There are other ways to reduce the cost. If you have insurance or Medicaid, for example, you may be covered for some form of EC.
How much weight can I take with Plan B?
There’s no official weight limit for Plan B. But the pill may not be as effective for people who have a BMI of 30 or more. Trusted Source. or weigh 155 pounds or more. After conflicting results, some researchers have recommended a greater level of counseling for people who fall into those two categories. But they point out that there’s no reason ...
How long after sex can you take Plan B?
Research has found that Plan B is “moderately effective” when taken between 72 and 120 hours after sex. But remember that its effectiveness decreases the longer you wait.
Can you take Plan B while pregnant?
Anyone who can become pregnant can take Plan B when needed — there isn’t an age restriction. However, it isn’t regular contraception, so it should only be used in emergency situations. For example: if you had sex without a barrier. if the condom broke during sex.
Is Plan B safe?
Plan B is considered safe. Although it contains a higher hormone dose than birth control pills, the hormone doesn’t remain in the body for a long time. Of course, you may experience mild side effects, including: headaches. abdominal pain or cramps. nausea or vomiting.
Does Plan B work?
Plan B only works to prevent a pregnancy — it can’t end one. It helps prevent pregnancy by using a bigger dose of levonorgestrel, the synthetic hormone found in birth control pills. This mimics the natural hormone, progesterone, delaying the release of an egg from the ovary, thereby preventing ovulation.
For the Consumer
Along with its needed effects, levonorgestrel (the active ingredient contained in Plan B) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
For Healthcare Professionals
The most commonly reported adverse effects are alterations of menstrual bleeding patterns, nausea, abdominal/pelvic pain, headache/ migraine, dizziness, fatigue, amenorrhea, ovarian cysts, genital discharge, acne /seborrhea, breast tenderness, and vulvovaginitis. [ Ref]
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Delivery services
The era of online gynecology is here, and we never want to go back. While many of us are already converts to getting our primary birth control mailed to us from services like The Pill Club and Nurx, many do not know that you can get emergency contraception delivered overnight from these companies as well.
Coupons and cheap in-store options
No matter what kind of prescription you’re looking to fill, always search for the drug’s name on GoodRx before you hand over your credit card. GoodRx is a coupon database that searches for discounts on prescriptions, and will shave $10 to $15 off the final price of Plan B at Walgreens, Target, and CVS.
Safety net clinics
While the price of Plan B at Planned Parenthood is typically $30 with insurance and $50 without insurance, special allowances are often made in cases where the person seeking emergency contraception cannot afford to pay full price. Planned Parenthood’s given many women the morning after pill for a low-price or even free.