Morning-After Pill

Plan B One-Step®

Plan B One-Step®, also known as an emergency contraception, is intended to prevent pregnancy after known or suspected contraceptive failure or unprotected intercourse if taken within 72 hours. It contains large amounts of levonorgestrel, a hormone found in some birth control pills. It may work by preventing the egg and sperm from meeting by delaying ovulation. It won’t disrupt an already implanted pregnancy, but may prevent a newly formed life from implanting in the uterus causing an early abortion.

Risks

Plan B One-Step® does not protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If your period is more than a week late, you may be pregnant. You should not take Plan B One-Step® if you are already pregnant. Plan B One-Step® should not be used as a routine birth control, as it is not as effective. If you have severe abdominal pain, you may have an ectopic pregnancy, and should get immediate medical help. You are encouraged to report negative side effects to the FDA at fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

There are no long-term studies on the safety of Plan B One-Step® in women under 17, after repeated use or effects on future fertility.

Effectiveness

Plan B One-Step® isn't effective if you're already pregnant, and it won't terminate an existing pregnancy. Before taking Plan B One-Step®, a pregnancy test should be performed to rule out an existing pregnancy. If the morning after pill is taken within 72 hours after intercourse, it can reduce the risk of pregnancy by 80 to 90% with approximately 2 out of 100 women becoming pregnant after use compared with 8 out of 100 if the morning after pill was not used.

Potential Side Effects of Plan B One-Step®

Plan B One-Step® is a high dose of levonorgestrel, a progestin hormone, and can cause the following side effects:

• Changes in your period
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Lower abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Headache

Do not use Plan B One-Step®:

• If you’re already pregnant
• If you’re allergic to levonorgestrel or any of the ingredients in Plan B One-Step®
• Plan B One-Step® should not be used as routine birth control, as it isn’t as effective.¹

ella®

ella® (ulipristal) is a prescription medicine that reduces your chance of becoming pregnant if your birth control fails or you have unprotected sex. ella® is FDA approved for use up to 5 days after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. The ella® 30-mg tablet is not an abortion pill, and is not for use to end an existing pregnancy.

Risks

ella® will not protect you against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases. ella® may cause your period to be earlier or later than expected. If your period is more than a week late, you should get a pregnancy test. You should not take ella® if you are already pregnant. ella® should not be used as a routine birth control, as it is not as effective. Do not use ella® more than one time in the same menstrual cycle. If you become pregnant or have lower stomach pain after taking ella®, you may have an ectopic pregnancy, and should get immediate medical help. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you vomit within 3 hours of taking ella®. Much is unknown about the drug, including its effect on women who are under 18 or over 35 years of age, taking other hormonal contraception, pregnant from a previous encounter, taking ella® repeatedly during the same cycle or are breast-feeding.

Effectiveness

ella® isn't effective if you're already pregnant, and it won't terminate an existing pregnancy. Before taking ella® a pregnancy test should be performed to rule out an existing pregnancy. ella® and other emergency contraceptives may be less effective in obese women with a body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2.

Common Side effects

• Headache
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Menstrual pain (cramps)
• Tiredness
• Dizziness

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA at fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.²

Our center offers individual consultation and accurate information about all pregnancy options including abortion procedures and risks; however we do not recommend, offer or refer for the Morning After Pill, RU486 or any other abortion-causing drug or procedure. 

¹Source: Plan B One-Step® website: http://www.planbonestep.com
²Source: ella® website: http://www.ella-rx.com/