HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Emergency contraceptive pills
Examples
Medicines
Progestin
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Combination birth control pills
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Levonorgestrel, such as Plan B or Next Choice, is specially packaged for emergency contraception. You can buy this medicine in most drugstores.
- If you are 17 or older, you can get emergency contraception from a pharmacist, without a prescription. Bring proof of your age.
- If you are younger than 17, you can get emergency contraception with a prescription from a doctor.
Emergency contraception is used after unprotected sex to prevent a pregnancy from starting. It is most effective when it is used as soon as possible after intercourse. It is not necessary to take a pregnancy test before using emergency contraception.
How to take emergency contraception
Birth control experts recommend having emergency contraception pills, or a prescription for them, on hand in case you ever need them.1 Emergency contraception is most effective when used as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Your risk of becoming pregnant increases as time passes.
For the emergency contraception option that contains 2 pills, you can take both pills at the same time. Or you can take 1 pill right away and the second pill 12 hours later.
There is also a one-pill emergency contraception option that lets you take the dose you need in just 1 pill.
For most regular birth control pills, you take one dose of 2 to 5 pills as soon as you can. Then you take a second dose 12 hours later. The dose depends on the type of pill.
You can take emergency contraception up to 5 days after unprotected sex. But it works best if you take it right away or within 48 hours.
Intrauterine device (IUD)
As another option, a copper-bearing intrauterine device (IUD) can be inserted within 5 to 7 days after unprotected sex.
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| Author: | Bets Davis, MFA | Last Updated: May 22, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine
Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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