Plan B One-Step is a new morning after pill approved by the FDA on July 13, 2009. Plan B One-Step is just one oral pill (levonorgestrel tablet, 1.5 mg). This morning after pill is replacing the old Plan B.
Plan B One-Step emergency contraception can be used to prevent an unintended pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure with only one pill that can be taken right away. It is now available "behind the counter" at pharmacies for those age 17 and older. This new morning after pill should be taken within 72 hours of contraceptive failure/unprotected sex and is most effective if used within 24 hours.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Within 3 days (72) hours of unprotected intercourse (may still be effective up to 5 days/120 hours)
Here's How:
- Purchase the New Morning After Pill: Plan B One-Step emergency contraception is available over the counter (but behind the pharmacy counter) for women and men age 17 and older. A prescription for Plan B One-Step is needed for girls under the age of 17. You must make an appointment to see a healthcare provider in order to obtain this prescription. For those under 17, it may be helpful to have this morning after pill prescription ahead of time or (for those 17 and older) to have Plan B One-Step at home, so it can be quickly available should you need it. You will have to show a government-issued ID card for proof of age.
- If You Are Embarrassed to Ask for the Morning After Pill: You will have to ask the pharmacist for Plan B One-Step (since it will be stored behind the counter). If you don’t feel comfortable asking for it out loud, there’s a helpful tool that will help you make a private purchase. You can print out a Patient Request Card. This way, you can request Plan B One-Step, ask to speak privately with a pharmacist, or let them know you’re there to pick up an order you called in earlier. Just hand it to the pharmacist/pharmacy tech along with your ID and you won’t even have to say a word!(See photo above of this card)
- Swallow the Plan B One-Step Pill: This new morning after pill only requires you to swallow ONE pill. You should take the pill as soon as possible. The manufacturer suggests taking Plan B One-Step within 72 hours of contraceptive failure or unprotected sex — but the sooner you take it, the more effective it will be.
Note: In general, emergency contraception can be used up to 5 days after unprotected sex. So it may still be useful to take Plan B One-Step for up to 120 hours after unprotected sex.
- The Plan B One-Step Pill Pack Consists of 1 Pill. The shelf life for this morning after pill is 24 months from date of manufacture. Each Plan B One-Step package will contain a 1-tablet course of treatment (a 1.5 mg levonorgestrel tablet). The pill is white, round, and marked G00 (on one side). Plan B One-Step should be stored at a controlled room temperature.
- Morning After Pill Cost: According to a company representative, pricing of Plan B One-Step is supposed to be in-line with original Plan B prices. So, expect one package to cost between $35-$45, on average.
- Anti-Nausea Medication: One common side effect associated with Plan B One-Step include is nausea (occuring 13.7% in clinical trails)
According to Dr. Shari Brasner, a New York City-based OB/GYN: "a woman could use an anti-nausea medication before taking Plan B One-Step. But, it’s very rare to have this side effect with progesterone-only methods like Plan B One-Step, so the product should be associated with relatively low risk of nausea. Older emergency contraceptives contained estrogen, accounting for more cases of nausea."
- Vomitting: If you happen to vomit within 2 hours of taking the Plan B one-Step morningafter pill, you should immediately contact your doctor to discuss whether to take another pill.
You should also contact your doctor if you experience any other adverse reactions occurs.
- It is important to consult a doctor if your scheduled period is more than 1 week late, as this may indicate that pregnancy could have occurred.
- Also, call your doctor if you take a home pregnancy test and get a positive result.
- Abdominal Pain: If you are experiencing severe abdominal pain 3 to 5 weeks after taking Plan B One-Step, there could be the possibility that you have an ectopic pregnancy, so you should seek immediate medical attention -- in general, ectopic pregnancies account for approximately 2% of all reported pregnancies. Yet, up to 10% of pregnancies reported in studies of routine use of progestin-only contraceptives are ectopic.
- After Taking the Morning After Pill, Be Prepared for Possible Plan B One-Step Side Effects: Some side effects that were associated in clinical trials of Plan B One-Step include:
- Your next period may be heavier or lighter, or earlier or later
- Heavier menstrual bleeding (30.9%)
- Nausea (13.7%)
- Lower abdominal pain (13.3%)
- Fatigue (13.3%)
- Headache (10.3%)
- Dizziness (9.6%)
- Breast tenderness (8.2%)
- Delay of menses (more than 7 days) (4.5%)
- Be Sure to Use an Additional Method of Contraception: Emergency contraception, like the morning after pill, does not continue to prevent pregnancy during the rest of your menstrual cycle, so make sure to use other birth control methods (like condoms, female condoms, Today Sponge or spermicide) in order to prevent an unintended pregnancy.
- Also Keep in Mind: Though Plan B One-Step can be taken at any time during your menstrual cycle, Plan B One-Step is less likely to work if you have unprotected sex or contraceptive failure again during the same menstrual cycle after taking Plan B One-Step. The morning after pill will also be less effective if you have had unprotected sex earlier in your menstrual cycle (and did not take any emergency contraception).
Tips:
- Although there have been no reports of serious complications among the thousands of females who have used emergency contraception, mild Plan B One-Step side effects could occur. If this happens, they will typically last just last a day or two.
- Because the morning after pill may cause nausea and vomiting, you can take an anti-nausea medication, like Dramamine or Bonine, one hour before taking Plan B One-Step to reduce the risk of nausea.
Just remember to read and follow the precautions on the package insert of these anti-nausea medications as the side effects of these types of medicines may include drowsiness.
- Try not to rely on emergency contraception as your main form of birth control. Frequent use of Plan B One-Step or themorningafter pill can cause periods to become irregular and unpredictable.
- The new Plan B One-Step will also be dispensed in the same packaging, regardless of whether it is obtained over the counter or by prescription.
- Nine U.S. states have pharmacy-access policies that allow women of any age to obtain Plan B One-Step from participating pharmacists at select pharmacies without a prescription. These states include:
- Alaska
- California
- Hawaii
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- Vermont
- Washington
What You Need:
- Plan B One-Step (from your local pharmacy) if 17 or older
- A prescription for Plan B One-Step if under 17
- Anti-nausea medication - just in case of nausea or vomitting
