It's
really important to understand what drugs you're putting in your body and the
impact they may have on your health.
Making a fully informed, educated decision is your best protection. Please call us for more confidential
information.
Morning After Pill / Plan B® / Emergency
Contraception
What is it?
The
morning after pill is a large dose of oral contraceptive. Known as Plan B®, the
pill is actually 2 tablets, one taken within 72 hours of intercourse and the
second 12 hours later. It is NOT the same as RU-486.
How does it work?
According
to the manufacturer, Plan B® is believed to work in one of 3 ways:
It may
prevent or delay ovulation (release of egg from ovary).
It may
affect the sperm and tube transport to prevent the egg from being fertilized.
It may
alter the uterine lining which prevents the fertilized egg from implanting.
Plan B®
is not effective once the process of implantation has begun.
There
is no way to know which way the drug is working in any one person.
Important things to consider
Plan B®
is a relatively new drug and as a result, there has been little testing on its
effects on the body. The
manufacturer states that "Plan B® isn't effective if you're already
pregnant, and it won't terminate an existing pregnancy." Is this accurate? Click HERE and decide for
yourself. The most common side effects in the Plan B® clinical trial were
nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, and menstrual changes. There is some
evidence that the Morning-After Pill may put a woman at increased risk for an
ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy occurring outside the uterus, a tubal
pregnancy). If you have have any reason to suspect an ectopic, see your doctor
immediately. The manufacturer warns that Plan B® is not recommended for routine
use as a contraceptive.
Source:
Manufacturer's
Prescribing Information for Plan B®
(Levonorgestrel) tablets, 0.75 mg. Mfg. by Gedeon Richter, Ltd.,
Budapest, Hungary for Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Subsidiary
of Barr
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Pomona, NY 10970. Revised August 2006. BR-038 /
21000382503
http://www.go2planb.com/pdf/PlanBPI.pdf
(Accessed March 2, 2009)