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Courtesy of our sponsor, AccessMedNet,
we've reproduced this information page on emergency contraception.
The title headings below will take you to various sections of the
document, other links in the text lead to the sponsor site.
This is a safe, legal form of contraception that you can mail order
if you don't live near a prescriber who will offer it to you. It
will keep for up to 2 years as a method of backup birth control.
Emergency Contraception (ethinyl estradiol and/or levonorgestrel)
Birth control brands that are approved for use as emergency contraception:
Alesse, Levlen, Levlite, Levora, Lo/Ovral, Low-Ogestrel, Nordette,
Ogestrel, Ovral, Ovrette, Plan B, Preven, Tri-Levlen, Triphasil,
Trivora. May be referred to as the "morning after pill."
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(Emergency Contraception
Online - Prescriptions Through AccessMedNet Listings)
About Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception (EC) is used as a pregnancy prevention
treatment. It can prevent an unwanted pregnancy up to 72 hours after
unprotected intercourse. While there are a couple formulations of
oral contraceptives that are designed specifically for this use,
several types of ordinary birth control pills will function in the
same way.
This treatment is safe, legal, and won't harm a pregnancy that's
already begun. It is 75% effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy.
Emergency contraception should not be confused with RU-486 (mifepristone,
mifeprex), which can terminate pregnancy in the early stages.
Birth control pills used for emergency contraception are only available
by prescription, and it's recommended to have a complete dose
on hand in case of an emergency or accident.
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Emergency Contraception Side Effects
Most significant side effects of this medication are more likely to occur with regular, daily dosing. Long-term effects from an occasional dose of this treatment are highly unlikely.
Common Side Effects: Breast tenderness, nausea (take with
food).
Possible Side Effects: Breakthrough bleeding, depression,
early menses, irritability, migraine, rash (allergic reaction).
Rare Side Effects: Heart attack, stroke, thrombophlebitis
(inflammation and clotting of vein). These rare side effects are
a remote possibility in smokers, individuals over 40, or other high
risk groups. Any unusual behavior, blackouts, severe chest pain,
or sudden and inexplicable pain in the legs, should receive immediate
emergency treatment.
Cautions: While emergency contraception is considered a
very safe method of preventing pregnancy, it may not be suitable
for all individuals or may cause unwanted side effects. Speak to
your doctor or gynecologist regarding your medical history before
using this treatment.
Note that using EC as a back up birth control method poses much
lower risks than daily use of oral contraceptives. EC may even be
suitable for some individuals who should not use birth control pills
on a regular basis.
- Abnormal Bleeding: If you have amenorrhea (no periods)
or unexplained vaginal bleeding, do not use.
- Allergies: If you are allergic to oral contraceptives,
you should not use them. Any presence of rash as a result of treatment
would be an indication that you are sensitive. If you have adverse
reactions to some brands, but not others, be sure that the form
of EC you're prescribed is of a brand you can tolerate.
- Antibiotics: Many antibiotics interfere with the effectiveness
of birth control, and may cause oral contraceptives to fail. If
you are using antibiotics, you should always use a back up
form of birth control, such as a cervical cap, condom, or
sponge. Speak with your doctor regarding treatment.
- Asthma: Speak to your doctor.
- Breast Cancer: Do not use.
- Diabetes: Oral contraceptive treatments may cause blood
sugar fluctuations. Speak to your doctor regarding the safety
of this treatment.
- Embolism, Heart Attack, or Stroke: Do not use if you
have a history of any of these conditions.
- Endometriosis: Speak to your doctor.
- Epilepsy: Speak to your doctor.
- Fibrocystic Breasts, Uterine Fibroids: Speak to your
doctor.
- Gallbladder Disease: Speak to your doctor.
- Heart Condition (Any): Speak to your doctor.
- High Blood Pressure: Speak to your doctor regarding the
safety of EC. You should not use oral contraceptives on a regular
basis.
- Liver: If you have liver disease or other serious liver
impairments, do not use.
- Porphyria: Birth control treatments are not safe for
porphyria.
- Pregnancy: If you're already pregnant, this treatment
will not terminate the pregnancy.
- Sickle Cell Anemia: Do not use.
- Smoker: Oral contraceptives increase the risk of stroke
for smokers.
- Surgery: If you will be having surgery soon after use
of this treatment, consult your doctor. EC may alter clotting
patterns.
(Emergency Contraception
Online - Prescriptions Through AccessMedNet Listings)
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Emergency Contraception Interactions
Drug interactions aren't generally a concern for this one-time
treatment, though hormone treatments can be made less effective
by certain drugs, or cause changes in the toxicity of certain others.
Ask your doctor for advice on the best way to ensure that emergency
contraception will still be effective if you are currently taking
any of the following medications, or won't interfere with other
treatments.
- Actos (pioglitazone) - Potential interaction, speak to your
doctor.
- Antibiotics like amoxicillin, ampicillin, penicllin V, or tetracyclines
may cause birth control pills to fail. Speak to your doctor or
pharmacist about this if you are using any antibiotic treatment
when you need to take emergency contraception.
- Antiseizure treatments like Dilantin
(phenytoin) or Cerebyx (fosphenytoin) may cause birth control
to fail.
- Barbiturate sedatives like Butalbital, Fioricet
(butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine), Fiorinal,
Phenobarbitol, Seconal, or others may cause birth control treatments
to fail. You may wish to avoid this type of medication if you
need to use EC.
- Benzodiazepines (a class of antidepressants, anti-panic agents,
and muscle relaxants) such as Ativan
(lorazepam), Valium (diazepam),
Halcion (triazolam), Restoril
(temazepam), Librium(chlordiazepoxide),
Xanax (alprazolam),
Tranxene-SD (clorazepate), Paxipam (halazepam), ProSom (estazolam),
Klonopin (clonazepam),
and others, may have their sedative effects increased by oral
contraceptives. Be especially cautious if you must drive or engage
in other potentially hazardous activity if you must combine these
treatments.
- Coumadin (warfarin) - May increase risk of bleeding.
- Diflucan (fluconazole) -
Birth control pills may fail.
- Fulvicin (griseofulvin) - Birth control pills may fail.
- Migraine medications of the triptan class such as Amerge
(naratriptan), Imitrex
(sumatriptan), Maxalt (rizatriptan), or Zomig (zolmitriptan)
can build up to toxic levels in combination with oral contraceptives.
If you get a migraine while using EC, consider trying to manage
it with other medication, but speak to your doctor to be sure.
- Mysoline (primidone) - Birth control pills may fail.
- Protease inhibitors like Norvir (ritonavir), Viracept (nelfinavir),
Viramune (nevirapine), and possibly others may cause oral contraceptives
to fail.
- Rifadin, Rimactane (rifampin) - Birth control pills may fail.
- St. John's Wort - May cause contraceptive hormone treatments
to fail.
- Tegretol (carbamazepine) - Birth control pills may fail.
- Vitamin C in high doses - May boost the effects of the active
ingredient in many oral contraceptives, ethinyl estradiol.
This list of interactions covers only those likely to be of immediate
importance for an infrequent dose of oral contraceptive hormones.
It is not a full list of medications which may interact with these
treatments. If you have any serious health conditions, or take other
medication, always speak to your doctor about possible interactions
or side effects.
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Emergency Contraception Dosages
The first dose of this treatment needs to be taken as soon as possible
within the first 72 hours, with the second dose 12 hours later.
The number of pills listed below is one dose, which will
need to be followed by a second dose.
Only the brands listed below are suitable for use as emergency
contraception. Use only the pills in the colors listed below
for each brand, as differently colored pills in the pack may have
either levels of hormone too low to be effective, or else may be
sugar pills.
- Alesse - 5 pink tablets (one dose)
- Levlen - 4 light orange tablets (one dose)
- Levlite - 5 pink tablets (one dose)
- Levora - 4 white tablets (one dose)
- Lo/Ovral - 4 white tablets (one dose)
- Low-Ogestrel - 4 white tablets (one dose)
- Nordette - 4 light orange tablets (one dose)
- Triphasil - 4 yellow tablets (one dose)
- Tri-Levlen - 4 yellow tablets (one dose)
- Trivora - 4 pink tablets (one dose)
Plan-B and Preven are two products specifically formulated
and packaged for use as emergency contraception. A pack will come
with two pills, the first pill to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected
sex, and the second pill taken 12 hours later.
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Emergency Contraception Directions
To prevent pregnancy, this treatment should be used as soon as
possible in the first 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. The
second dose should be taken 12 hours later. Use exactly as directed
for the particular brand you have available.
Take with milk or food to reduce stomach upset.
This medication may be stored for up to two years after
the date of manufacture. Having a supply of birth control medication
deemed suitable for use, or a full dose of EC on hand, is a good
way to make sure that you can prevent an unwanted pregnancy before
it occurs.
Store EC away from direct light and heat. Store in a dry location;
avoid storing it in the bathroom, near sinks, or other areas where
it may become damp. Do not use after the expiration date.
Keep EC away from children; both when storing it, and when
discarding any unused medication.
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Emergency Contraception and Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, do not take any form of oral contraceptives.
A single dose will not do any damage to an unborn child, but would
not be medically useful.
If you are already pregnant, emergency contraception will not
terminate the pregnancy.
(Emergency Contraception
Online - Prescriptions Through AccessMedNet Listings)
Links:
Back Up Your Birth Control
Not-2-Late
Planned Parenthood EC Resource Page
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- Alesse is a trademark of Wyeth-Ayerst
- Levlen is a trademark of Berlex
- Levlite is a trademark of Berlex
- Levora is a trademark of Watson
- Lo/Ovral is a trademark of Wyeth-Ayerst
- Low-Ogestrel is a trademark of Watson
- Nordette is a trademark of Monarch
- Plan B is a trademark of Women's Capital
- Preven is a trademark of Gynetics
- Triphasil is a trademark of Wyeth-Ayerst
- Tri-Levlen is a trademark of Berlex
- Trivora is a trademark of Watson
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This document is provided for information only; it is not intended to diagnose symptoms, prescribe treatment, or to substitute for consultation with a physician. While we have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate and extensive, only your doctor can tell you if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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