- What is emergency contraception (EC)®?
- What is Plan B®?
- When was Plan B® approved?
- Is Plan B® RU-486 (the abortion pill)?
- What if a patient is already pregnant when she takes Plan B®?
- How do I order Plan B®?
- What is the NDC number for Plan B®?
- What is the shelf life of Plan B®?
- How can I get additional information about EC?
- Do some states offer patients pharmacy access to Plan B®?
- Where can I get clinical information about Plan B®?
- Where can I get patient education materials about Plan B®?
1. What is emergency contraception (EC)?
There are many misperceptions about EC and how it works. Simply put, EC is a second chance to help prevent an unplanned pregnancy after contraceptive failure, unprotected sex, or sexual assault. Currently, EC is available in more than 100 countries, more than 30 of which do not require a prescription.4
Emergency contraception is similar to a birth control pill and is believed to act by:
- Preventing ovulation
- Preventing fertilization by altering tubal transport of sperm and/or egg
- Possibly inhibiting implantation by altering the endometrium
It is important to note that EC is not effective once the process of implantation has begun. It will not affect an existing pregnancy or harm a developing fetus.
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2. What is Plan B®?
Plan B® is the only FDA-approved emergency contraceptive composed of progestin-only (levonorgestrel) tablets. And levonorgestrel is a well-trusted and commonly used progestin that is associated with a low incidence of side effects. When taken as directed within 72 hours after contraceptive failure, unprotected sex, or sexual assault, Plan B® reduces the risk of pregnancy by up to 89%. However, studies showed that Plan B® is effective the sooner it is taken within 72 hours and is more effective when taken within 24 hours.1
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3. When was Plan B® approved?
Plan B® was first approved by the FDA for prescription use in July 1999. In August 2006, Plan B® was approved for OTC use for consumers 18 years and older.
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4. Is Plan B® RU-486 (the abortion pill)?
No. Plan B® is not RU-486 (the abortion pill). It is an emergency contraceptive (EC) that helps prevent an unplanned pregnancy after contraceptive failure, unprotected sex, or sexual assault. RU-486 (mifepristone) has anti-progesterone activity and may be used to induce a medical abortion up to 49 days gestation in pregnant women. Plan B® will not affect an existing pregnancy. As described in the Plan B® Prescribing Information, the progestin levonorgestrel is believed to act as an EC principally by preventing ovulation and/or fertilization by altering tubal transport of sperm and/or ova. In addition, it may inhibit implantation by altering the endometrium. It is not effective once the process of implantation has begun, and it will not affect an existing pregnancy or harm a developing fetus.
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5. What if a patient is already pregnant when she takes Plan B®?
There is no medical evidence that Plan B® would harm a developing fetus. Many studies have found no effects on fetal development associated with long-term use of progestin-only contraceptive pills (POPs). The few studies of infant growth and development that have been conducted with POPs have not demonstrated significant adverse effects.
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6. How do I order Plan B®?
You can order Plan B® through your wholesaler. For more information on ordering, call the Plan B® Information Center toll-free number, 1-800-330-1271.
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7. What is the NDC number for Plan B®?
The Plan B® NDC number is 51285-769-93.
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8. What is the shelf life of Plan B®?
Plan B® expires 48 months after the date of manufacture.
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9. How can I get additional information about EC?
To learn more about emergency contraception and continuing education programs available for certification, visit the APhA Web site.
10. Do some states offer patients pharmacy access to Plan B®?
Plan B® is now available in the U.S. for consumers age 18 or older, but a prescription is still required for women 17 or younger. Pharmacists in Alaska, California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington can become certified and trained to provide Plan B® directly to patients. The requirements for pharmacy access vary from state to state.
>>Learn more about pharmacy access to Plan B®
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11. Where can I get clinical information about Plan B®?
You can call the Plan B® Information Center toll-free number, 1-800-330-1271.
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12. Where can I get patient education materials about Plan B®?
You can order patient education materials through the Plan B® Information Center by calling the toll-free number, 1-800-330-1271. Or you can download them in the Support Materials section of this Web site.
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>> How Plan B® works
>> Side effects and tolerability
>> Dosing and administration
View Important Safety Information and full Prescribing Information.