Emergency Contraceptive Pill (Plan B)
What is it?
The emergency contraceptive pill, or “morning after pill”, is used to prevent or reduce the
chance of an unplanned pregnancy after unprotected sex. There are dierent brands of this
pill but the brand oered at the health unit is Plan B. Plan B contains a high dose of the
hormone progestin (Levonorgestrel).
Examples of unprotected sex:
y No birth control used (hormonal method or condom)
y Birth control failure such as missed pills, patch fell o, forgot to replace Nuvaring, late for Depo injection,
etc.
y Condom broke, leaked, slipped o, or not used at all
y IUD/IUS came out
How to take this medication:
Plan B is a pill that can be taken with water. This medication is most eective if used within 24 hours after
unprotected sex, but can be used within 5 days after unprotected sex. Eectiveness of Plan B decreases the
longer you wait to take it.
A nurse will take your blood pressure before giving you the medication.
Tell your health care provider if you vomit within 2 hours of taking Plan B. Another dose may be needed.
Do NOT take this medication if you:
y Are allergic to Levonorgestrel or had an allergic reaction to Plan B in the past
y Are pregnant or suspect you are pregnant
y Have abnormal bleeding from your vagina
y Have active liver disease
y Have or suspect you have breast cancer
Tell your health care provider if:
y You require ongoing birth control, if you are worried about STIs or if you require post-exposure prophylaxis
y You have high blood pressure
y You experience headaches or migraines
y You have diabetes
y You are taking any medications (see “Drug Interactions” section below)
Plan B may be less eective in people with a body mass index (BMI) of 25-29 and not likely eective if BMI is 30 or
higher. A nurse can help you gure out your BMI.
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FACT SHEET
Side eects:
Contact your health care provider right away if you experience any of the below symptoms:
y Itching and rash
y Cramping or severe pain in your stomach or belly before you get your next period (warning sign of ectopic
pregnancy)
y Heavy bleeding from your vagina that isn’t your period
Plan B may cause some side eects. These usually pass within 24 hours of taking Plan B. Common side eects are
listed below. If any of the below symptoms last longer than 48 hours or are severe, contact your health care
provider.
y Nausea
y Abdominal pain
y Fatigue
y Headache
y Dizziness
y Breast tenderness
y Vomiting
Drug interactions:
The following medications can make Plan B less eective:
y Anti-HIV drugs
y Anticonvulsants
y Antibiotics
y Rifampicin
Storage:
This medication should be kept at room temperature and in dry conditions. Do not allow medication to freeze.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
Points to remember:
y You may experience spotting a few days after taking Plan B. Your next period should come on time but
may be a few days early or late. If your period is over 1 week late, talk to your health care provider about a
pregnancy test and to discuss your options.
y Those who have unprotected sex in the days or weeks after taking Plan B are 4 to 26 times more likely to
become pregnant. A reliable ongoing form of birth control and/or not having sex until your next period is
recommended.
y Plan B should not be used on a regular basis as a form of birth control.
y Taking Plan B within 3 days of having a Pap test may aect your results.
y Plan B does not provide protection from sexually transmitted infections.
y Plan B will not delay ovulation if taken the day before or the day of ovulation.
y Birth control pills, the patch, the ring and Depo-Provera can start being used the day of or the day after
taking Plan B.
3493_10 Feb 2023
For more information, please call 1-800-660-5853
or visit our website at www.healthunit.org
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District
HEALTH UNIT
Your Partner in Public Health
www.healthunit.org
y Diarrhea
y Spotting
y Migraine or severe headache
y Lower belly pain
y Painful menstruation
y Discharge from vagina
y Rifabutin
y Griseofulvin
y St. John’s wort
y Ulipristal acetate
