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 levonorgestrel, 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]

ella

ella is an FDA-approved emergency contraceptive for use within 5 days of unprotected sex or contraceptive failure, which is why it is sometimes referred to as “the week-after pill.” It is estimated taking ella will reduce the number of expected pregnancies from 5.5% to 2.2%.[15]

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 clinic 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 substitute for professional counseling and/or medical advice.

Footnotes

[1]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Mechanism of Action,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified August 2009, http://www.planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductInformation.pdf

[2]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Indications and Usage,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified August 2009, http://www.planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductInformation.pdf

[3]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Clinical Trials Experience,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified August 2009, http://www.planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductInformation.pdf

[4]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Contraindications,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified August 2009, http://www.planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductInformation.pdf and “Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Indications and Usage,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified August 2009, http://www.planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductInformation.pdf

[5]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Ectopic Pregnancy,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified August 2009, http://www.planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductInformation.pdf

[6]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Clinical Studies,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified August 2009, http://www.planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductInformation.pdf

[7]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Drug Abuse and Dependence,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified August 2009, http://www.planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductInformation.pdf

[8]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Overdose,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified August 2009, http://www.planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductInformation.pdf

[9]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Specific Populations/Pediatric,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified August 2009, http://www.planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductInformation.pdf

[10]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Specific Populations/Geriatric,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified August 2009, http://www.planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductInformation.pdf

[11]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Specific Populations/Hepatic Impairment,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified August 2009, http://www.planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductInformation.pdf

[12]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Specific Populations/Renal Impairment,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified August 2009, http://www.planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductInformation.pdf

[13]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Drug-Drug Interactions,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified August 2009, http://www.planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductInformation.pdf

[14]“Plan B One-Step Prescribing Information: Specific Populations/Race,” Barr Pharmaceuticals, last modified August 2009, http://www.planbonestep.com/pdf/PlanBOneStepFullProductInformation.pdf

[15]“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

[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 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 April 2012, http://pi.watson.com/data_stream.asp?product_group=1699&p=pi&language=E