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1. What is Plan B®? 2. How does Plan B® work? 3. When is it appropriate to use Plan B®? 4. When is it not appropriate to use Plan B®? 5. When should I use Plan B®? 6. How effective is Plan B®? 7. How will I know if Plan B® worked? 8. What if I'm already pregnant and use Plan B®? 9. Can I use Plan B® for regular birth control? 10. How often can I use Plan B®? 11. Will I experience any side effects from Plan B®? 12. What warnings should I know about when using Plan B®? 13. When do I start taking my regular birth control pills after Plan B®? 14. What should I do if I have questions about Plan B®? 1. What is Plan B®? Plan B® is emergency contraception—a backup method of preventing pregnancy—and is not for routine use. It can reduce the chance of pregnancy when taken as directed up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex (if your regular birth control method fails, or if you've had sex without birth control). 2. How does Plan B® work? Plan B® contains two pills taken 12 hours apart that contain a higher dose of levonorgestrel, a hormone found in many birth control pills that healthcare professionals have been prescribing for more than 35 years. Plan B® works in a similar way to prevent pregnancy. Plan B® will not affect an existing pregnancy. 3. When is it appropriate to use Plan B®? You can use Plan B® after you've had unprotected sex one or more times in the last 72 hours (3 days), and you don't want to become pregnant. Plan B® can be used as a backup method to birth control if, for example:
4. When is it not appropriate to use Plan B®? Plan B® should not be used:
5. When should I use Plan B®? You only have a few days to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Plan B® works better the sooner you take it. Take the first pill as soon as possible (within 72 hours after unprotected sex), and the second pill 12 hours later. 6. How effective is Plan B®? Plan B® works better the sooner you use it. If it is taken as directed within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex, it can significantly decrease the chance that you will become pregnant. About 7 out of every 8 women who would have gotten pregnant will not become pregnant. Plan B® works even better if taken within the first 24 hours after unprotected sex. 7. How will I know if Plan B® worked? The only way of knowing Plan B® has been effective is when you get your next period, which should come at the expected time, or within a week of the expected time. If your period is more than 7 days late, you may be pregnant. 8. What if I'm already pregnant and use Plan B®? There is no medical evidence that Plan B® would harm a developing baby. If you take Plan B® accidentally after you're already pregnant, or it doesn't work and you become pregnant, it's not likely to cause any harm to you or your pregnancy. Plan B® will not disrupt or affect an existing pregnancy. 9. Can I use Plan B® for regular birth control? Plan B® should not be used as regular birth control. Plan B® is not as effective as using a regular birth control method correctly and consistently. It is a backup method to be used if your regular birth control fails, or if you have sex without birth control. If you have unprotected sex after taking Plan B®, it cannot protect you from getting pregnant. 10. How often can I use Plan B®? Plan B® should only be used in emergencies, but there is no medical reason why you can't use it more than once. Don't be afraid to use Plan B® when you need to, but remember that it should never replace routine methods of contraception as it simply isn't as effective. Plan B® doesn't provide long-term protection against future pregnancy—it only works to prevent this one incident. If you are sexually active, even occasionally, see your healthcare professional or clinic to find a method of birth control and STD prevention that suits you. 11. Will I experience any side effects from Plan B®? When used as directed, Plan B® is safe and effective. Side effects may include nausea, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness or breast tenderness. Some women may have changes in their period, a heavier or lighter next period, or a period that is early or late. If your period is more than a week late, you may be pregnant. If you have severe abdominal pain, you may have an ectopic pregnancy, and should get immediate medical attention. 12. What warnings should I know about when using Plan B®? Do not use Plan B®:
If you should experience severe abdominal pain, you may have an ectopic pregnancy and should get immediate medical attention. 13. When do I start taking my regular birth control pills after Plan B®? It is recommended that a regular method of contraception be started immediately after Plan B®, since Plan B® does not reliably protect against pregnancy beyond the day it is used. Check with your healthcare professional for instructions on taking your oral contraceptive. You should not deviate from the directions for use of your usual contraceptive. 14. What should I do if I have questions about Plan B®? If you have questions or need more information about this product, call our toll-free number, 1-800-330-1271, check out this website, or ask a healthcare professional. |
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| Important Safety Information: Plan B® does not protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Plan B® isn't effective if you're already pregnant, and it won't terminate an existing pregnancy. Side effects may include nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, changes in your period, dizziness, and breast tenderness. If your period is more than a week late, you may be pregnant. You should not take Plan B® if you are already pregnant. Plan B® should not be used as 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 attention. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA at fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Please see Prescribing Information to learn more. |
For more information about Plan B®, call 1-800-330-1271
Available without a prescription for consumers 18 and older. If you're 17 or younger, you'll need to see a healthcare professional. |
