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Plan B Emergency Contraception
(07/13/2004) by Unknown
WHAT DISTINGUISHES PLAN B FROM OTHER ECPs?
Plan B is a form of emergency contraception that can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex (if a contraceptive fails or if no contraception is used). It is the first progestin-only emergency contraceptive to be approved by the FDA. As with other emergency contraception, it may be taken if a mistake is made using another method, if a couple forgets to use a contraceptive, or if a woman is forced to have intercourse. Each Plan B packet includes a single course of treatment and consists of 2 progestin-only, postcoital tablets, each containing 0.75 mg levonorgestrel. Both tablets should be taken at once within 120 hours (3 days) of unprotected intercourse.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?
• Plan B provides an important safety net for women whose regular contraceptive method may have failed, or for women who may have had intercourse without contraception.
• The Plan B regimen is highly effective, reducing the average risk of pregnancy among users from about 8 percent to about 1 percent. In the first 24 hours after intercourse, Plan B can prevent 95 percent of expected pregnancies.
• Plan B's levonorgestrel-only regimen is much better tolerated than the 25-year-old emergency contraception regimen which combines ethinyl estradiol plus norgestrel or levonorgestrel.
• There is no scientific data to suggest that there would be an increased risk of birth defects if Plan B fails or if a woman who is already pregnant takes Plan B.
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES?
• Plan B is not a substitute for correct use of regular contraceptives. It is not dangerous to use emergency contraceptive pills more than once, but it is necessary to find an ongoing method of contraception that you will use consistently and correctly.
• Plan B should not be used if any woman is known to be pregnant.
• Common side effects of Plan B are uncommon but may include nausea, lower abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, dizziness, breast tenderness, and menstrual changes.
• Plan B provides no protection from HIV or sexually transmitted diseases.
• After taking Plan B, your next period may be early, on time, or late, especially if pills are taken before ovulation.
WHERE CAN I GET PLAN B?
Plan B can be provided through advance prescription, prescription by telephone, walk-in prescription, or an office visit. Neither a pelvic examination nor a pregnancy test is required before treatment. Some clinicians are not familiar with emergency contraception. In this case, call the toll-free hotline, 1-888-NOT-2-LATE for phone numbers of clinicians near you who prescribe emergency contraceptive pills. This hotline also provides information about other emergency contraceptive options. In planning for emergency contraceptive services, it is important to keep in mind that the sooner Plan B is taken after unprotected intercourse, the more effective it is. Ask your clinician for a Plan B prescription, get it filled and be prepared in case of a contraceptive mistake.
The above information is taken from http://www.managingcontraception.com/cmanager/publish/choices.shtml
This information is not copyrighted, and may be copied or adapted without asking permission. Lengthier descriptions may be found in the books Managing Contraception, Contraceptive Technology and LA Planification Familiar, which may be ordered from the above website or by calling (706) 265-7435.
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