Morning After Pill (Plan B)

Before taking the Morning After Pill, you should understand what it is and how it works. Call for an appointment and one of our staff will be happy to discuss it with you, confirm if you're pregnant and present your options.

What is it?

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 (the ‘abortion pill’).

How does it work?

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

Things to consider

• 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