Plan B

Common use

Plan B is an over-the-counter emergency contraceptive pill used to help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure, including a broken condom, missed birth control pills. Plan B (levonorgestrel) works by temporarily delaying ovulation (the release of an egg), which helps prevent pregnancy before it can happen.

Dosage and direction

Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel 1.5 mg) is one tablet that is taken once. It must be taken as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex. The sooner the tablet is taken, the better it works.

Precautions

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking levonorgestrel if you regularly use medication for seizures, tuberculosis, or HIV/AIDS. Certain medications can make levonorgestrel less effective as an emergency form of contraception.

Contraindications

Do not use this medicine if you are already pregnant. Levonorgestrel will not terminate a pregnancy that has already begun (the fertilized egg has attached to the uterus).
You should not use Plan B if you are allergic to levonorgestrel or any of the ingredients in this medicine.

Possible side effect

Common Plan B side effects can include: stomach pain; breast pain or tenderness; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; headache, dizziness; feeling tired; or changes in your menstrual periods, including your period being earlier or later than expected.

Drug interaction

Do not take this medicine without telling your doctor or pharmacist that you are using any of the following medications: efavirenz (Atripla, Sustiva); rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, IsonaRif, Rimactane); or seizure medication - carbamazepine, felbamate, fosphenytoin, oxcarbazepine phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone; Bosentan; Griseofulvin; topiramate.

Missed dose

Since this medicine is used as a single dose, it does not have a daily dosing schedule.

Overdose

Because this medicine is supplied as a single tablet in an exact strength, an overdose is unlikely to occur when this medicine is used as directed. Do not take more than one tablet at the same time.

Storage

Store tablet at room temperature 20–25°C (68–77°F). Keep away from children.