Plan B® (levonorgestrel) is a medication that is an emergency contraceptive, which is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Originally, it was a prescription medication. However, it is now available without a prescription for women who are 17 years old and older. However, it can only be purchased at the pharmacy counter, and you must show government-issued identification, such as a driver's license. For women age 16 and younger, Plan B is still a prescription medication.
Plan B comes in two forms, original Plan B (which consists of two tablets that are taken 12 hours apart) and new Plan B One-Step (which consists of one tablet). Both products are available by prescription (for individuals under 17 years old) or over-the-counter (for those 17 and older).
The medication is made by Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a division of Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Plan B contains a high dose of levonorgestrel, a progesterone-type hormone that is used in many
birth control pills. It prevents pregnancy primarily by stopping ovulation (the maturation and release of eggs from the ovaries) or by preventing fertilization of the egg if ovulation has already occurred. It also alters the lining of the uterus (the endometrium), making it less receptive to a fertilized egg. If a fertilized egg has already implanted into the uterus, Plan B will not cause an abortion.
Taking it within 72 hours after unprotected sex reduces the risk of pregnancy by 89 percent. After any one act of unprotected intercourse, the average woman has an 8 percent chance of getting pregnant. If she takes Plan B, that risk is reduced to about 1 percent.
Some general considerations for when and how to use Plan B include the following:
- Original Plan B comes in a pack with two tablets. The first one is taken right away within 72 hours of unprotected sex, and the second one is taken 12 hours later, even if this means taking it in the middle of the night.
- The newer Plan B One-Step comes in a pack with just one tablet and is taken as a single dose.
- The sooner it is taken, the more effective it is at preventing pregnancy.
- While it is not necessary to take it with food, doing so can help prevent stomach upset.
- If you vomit within one hour of taking a dose of Plan B, call your healthcare provider immediately to see if you should repeat the dose.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed.
The dose of Plan B recommended depends on the particular product (the original Plan B or Plan B One-Step). As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, Plan B can cause side effects. However, not everyone who uses the contraceptive will experience side effects. In fact, most women tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Changes in menstrual bleeding.
(Click Plan B Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Drug Interactions With Plan B
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to using this medication if you:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
Taking an overdose of this drug is unlikely, for various reasons. People who take too much of a progestin hormone such as Plan B may experience nausea and vomiting, but serious problems are not likely to occur.
Keep Plan B at room temperature, away from moisture or heat. Make sure to keep this medication and all other medications out of the reach of children.
Is There a Generic Version?
There is a generic for both the prescription and over-the-counter versions of original Plan B available. Currently, there are no generic versions of prescription or non-prescription Plan One-Step licensed for sale
(see Generic Plan B).
Plan B comes in the following strengths:
- Original Plan B, with 0.75 mg of levonorgestrel per tablet, in a pack that contains two tablets
- Plan B One-Step, with one 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel per tablet, in a pack that contains one tablet.
Both products are available over-the-counter or with a prescription.
