Next Choice - Generic Plan B

Next Choice consists of two 0.75mg levonorgestrel pills. According to the manufacturer, to reduce the risk of an unplanned pregnancy, Next Choice should be started up to 3 days (72 hours) after unprotected sex or contraception failure -- with the first pill being taken as soon as possible and the second pill taken 12 hours later. If you vomit within 1 hour of taking either Next Choice pill, call your doctor to see if a repeat dose is needed. The sooner Next Choice is used, the better the chances of preventing pregnancy.

Note: In general though, emergency contraception could be started up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex, so Next Choice may still be useful to take (hopefully to decrease your chances of pregnancy) for up to 5 days after unprotected sex.

The dose of the levonorgestrel in Next Choice is higher than in a single birth control pill, but it prevents a pregnancy the same way that birth control pills do. It is thought that Next Choice prevents the egg from being:

• Released from the ovary (ovulation)
• Fertilized by the sperm
• Implanting to the uteruine wall

Next Choice can be obtained OTC at local pharmacies for those 17 or older. Females under the age of 17 will need a prescription for Next Choice from their doctor. It is sold behind the counter at pharmacies, so that age can be verified. Next Choice is currently priced around 10-20% lower than the branded Plan B One-Step.

As a precaution, girls under 17 can ask their doctor about getting a prescription for Next Choice ahead of time -- just in case an emergency occurs. This way, these girls can fill the prescription immediately and won't need to wait for a medical appointment.

Since Next Choice is the generic to Plan B, see:

• Plan B
• How to Use Plan B
• Detailed History of Plan B

The name morning after pill is confusing since Next Choice doesn't have to be used the morning after unprotected sex. There are also 2 pills, not just 1 - as the name morning after pill implies.