Plan B (Emergency Contraception)

Plan B (generic name: Levonorgestrel; brand names: Levonelle / NorLevo / Postinor) is an emergency contraception pill. It can prevent pregnancy up to 72 hours after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.

Plan B contains two pills taken 12 hours apart that contain a higher dose of levonorgestrel, a hormone found in many birth control pills that healthcare professionals have been prescribing for more than 35 years. Plan B works in a similar way to prevent pregnancy. Plan B will not affect an existing pregnancy.

You can use Plan B after you've had unprotected sex one or more times in the last 72 hours (3 days), and you don't want to become pregnant.

Plan B can be used as a backup method to birth control if, for example:

Your regular birth control failed (your partner's condom broke or slipped)
You made a mistake with your regular method (you forgot to take your birth control pills)
You didn't use any birth control method.

Recommendations

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Take Plan B exactly as directed.

Take Plan B as soon as possible after suspected birth control failure or after you have unprotected sexual intercourse. The first dose must be taken within 72 hours. Take the second tablet 12 hours after the first tablet. However, your doctor may instruct you to take Plan B in a different way. Follow the directions provided by your doctor.

Plan B can be used any time during the menstrual cycle.

A physical exam is not needed before taking Plan B. If you are unsure about your general health or pregnancy status, a follow-up physical or pelvic exam may be needed after taking Plan B.

If you miss a dose of Plan B, contact your doctor right away.

Plan B should not be used as regular birth control.

Precautions

Do not use Plan B if you are already pregnant.

Ingredients

Active ingredient: levonorgestrel.