Emergency Contraception
You may have heard emergency contraception referred to as the morning-after pill, or brand names such as
Plan B and ella. Emergency contraception is a term used for drugs taken after sex with the intent to prevent
pregnancy. There are different brands of emergency contraception available, but the most common in America
are Plan B One-Step and ella.
Many confuse emergency contraception with the abortion pill. The abortion pill terminates an established
pregnancy. Emergency contraception, on the other hand, works primarily by preventing conception (though
in some cases it has the potential to cause a very early abortion).
If you have questions about emergency contraception, we are here to help you. We're just a phone call away.
Plan B One-Step
Plan B One-Step also is referred to as the morning-after pill. It is intended to prevent pregnancy after a known
or suspected contraceptive failure, unprotected intercourse, or forced sex. It contains large amounts of levonor
gestrel, a progestin hormone found in some birth control pills. Plan B One-Step may work by preventing the egg
and sperm from meeting by delaying ovulation. It won't disrupt an implanted pregnancy, but may prevent a
newly formed life from implanting in the uterus.[1]
Plan B One-Step consists of one pill taken up to 72 hours after sex.[2]
Side effects may include changes in your period, nausea, lower abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, and
dizziness.[3] If your period is more than a week late, you may be pregnant from a prior sexual encounter.
Plan B One-Step should not be taken during pregnancy or used as a routine form of birth control.[4]
There is evidence that Plan B One-Step use may increase the risk for ectopic (tubal} pregnancy, a potentially
|
life-threatening condition.[5] Women who have severe abdominal pain may have an ectopic (tubal) preg-
nancy, and should seek immediate medical attention.
It is reported that Plan 8 One-Step may prevent an average of 84% of expected pregnancies.[6]
There is much that is unknown about Plan B One-Step including the following:
- dependence on the drug[7]
- overdose[8]
- the effect it could have on women who have not started their period[9]
- the effect it could have on postmenopausal women[10]
- liver disease[11]
- kidney disease[12]
- the way it interacts with other drugs [13]
- its ability to cause a higher rate of pregnancy in Chinese women [14]
Ella
ella is an FDA-approved emergency contraceptive for use within 5 days of unprotected sex or contracep-
tive failure, which is why it is sometimes referred to as ''the week-after pill." It is estimated that taking
ella will reduce the number of expected pregnancies from 5.5% to 22%.[15]
Pregnancy from a previous sexual encounter should be ruled out before taking ella. It is to be used only once
during a menstrual cycle.
ella may reduce the chance of pregnancy by preventing or postponing ovulation.[16] It also may work by
preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus, which is a very early abortion.[17] ella is a
chemical cousin to the abortion pill. Both share the progesterone-blocking effect of disrupting the embryo's
attachment to the womb causing its death.[18]
The most common adverse reactions of ella include headache, nausea, stomach (abdominal) pain, menstrual
cramps, fatigue, and dizziness.[19] Women who experience abdominal pain 3 to 5 weeks after using ella
should be evaluated right away for an ectopic pregnancy.
Much is unknown about the drug, including its effect on women:
- who are under 18 or over 35 years of age[20]
- taking with other hormonal contraception[21]
- pregnant from a previous encounter,[22]
- taking ella repeatedly during the same cycle,[23]or
- taking while breast-feeding[24]
You can call us to discuss your situation with our trained staff. All our peer counseling services are free and
confidential, so you have nothing to lose.
Our center offers consultations and accurate information about all emergency contraceptives; however, we do not offer
or refer for abortion services. The information presented on this website is intended for general education purposes only
and should not be relied upon as a substiMe for professional counseling and/or medical advice.
________________________
[1]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Mechanism of Action,” Barr Pharmaceuticals. last
modified August 2009, http://www/planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductlnformation.pdf
[2]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Indications and Usage,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, last
modified August 2009, http://www/planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductlnformation.pdf
[3]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Clinical Trials Experience,” Barr Pharmaceuticals,
last modified August 2009, http://www/planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductlnformation.pdf
[4]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Contraindications,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified
August 2009. http://www/planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductlnformation.pdf and "Plan B
One-Step Prescribing Information: Indications and Usage," Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified August
2009, http://www/planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductlnformation.pdf
[5]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Ectopic Pregnancy," Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified
August 2009, http://www/planbonestep.com/pdf/PianBOneStepFullProductlnformation.pdf
[6]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Clinical Studies." Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified
August 2009, http://www/planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductlnformation.pdf
[7]“P1an B One-Step Prescribing Information: Drug Abuse and Dependence,” Barr Pharmaceuticals.
last modified August 2009, http://www/planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProouctlnformalon.pdf
[8]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Overdose,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified
August 2009, http://www/planbonestep.com/pdf/PianBOneStepFullProouctlnformation.pdf
[9]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Specific Populations/Pediatric,” Barr Pharmaceuticals,
last modified August 2009, http://www/planbonestep.com/pdf/PianBOneStepFullProductlnformation.pdf
[10]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Specific Populations/Geriatric,” Barr Pharmaceuticals,
last modified August 2009, http://www/planbonestep.com/pdf/PianBOneStepFullProductlnformation.pdf
[11]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Specific Populations/Hepatic Impairment,” Barr
Pharmaceuticals, last modified August 2009, http://www/planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFull
[12]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Specific Populations/Renal Impairment,” Barr
Pharmaceuticals, last modified August 2009, http://www/planbonestep.com/pdf/PianBOneStepFull
Productlnformation.pdf
[13]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Drug-Drug Interactions,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, las
t modified August 2009, http://www/planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductlnformation.pdf
[14]“P1an B One-Step Prescribing Information: Specific Populations/Race,” Barr Pharmaceuticals
, last modified August 2009, http://www/planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductlnformation.pdf
[15]“ella Prescribing Information: Open-Label Study,” Watson Pharma, last modified April2012, http://pi.watson.com/data_stream.asp?product_group=1699&p=pi&language=E
[16]“ella Prescribing Information: Mechanism of Action." Watson Pharma, last modified April 2012, http://pi.watson.com/data_stream.asp?product_group=1699&p=pi&language=E
[17]Donna J. Harrison and James G. Mitroka. “Defining Reality: The Potential Role of Pharmacists in
Assessing the Impact of Progesterone Receptor Modulators and Misoprostol in Reproductive Health.”
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 45. (January 2011): 115.
[18]Ibid.
[19]“ella Prescribing Information: Adverse Reactions," Watson Pharma, last modified April 2012, http://pi.watson.com/data_stream.asp?product_group=1699&p=pi&language=E
[20]“ella Prescribing Information: Open-Label Study." Watson Pharma. last modified April 2012, http://pi.watson.com/data_stream.asp?product_group=1699&p=pi&language=E
[21]“ella Prescribing Information: Fertility Following Use,” Watson Pharma, last modified April 2012, http://pi.watson.com/data_stream.asp?product_group=1699&p=pi&language=E
[22]“ella Prescribing Information: Contraindications," Watson Pharma, last modified April 2012, http://pi.watson.com/data_stream.asp?product_group=1699&p=pi&language=E
[23]“ella Prescribing Information: Repeated Use,” Watson Pharma, last modified April 2012, http://pi.watson.com/data_stream.asp?product_group=1699&p=pi&language=E
[24]“ella Prescribing Information: Nursing Mothers,” Watson Pharma. last modified April2012, http://pi.watson.com/data_stream.asp?product_group=1699&p=pi&language=E