What is Choice?
Abortion
Birth Control
Crisis Pregnancy Centers
Sex Education
Reproductive Justice
Healthy Pregnancies
| Home > What is Choice? > Birth Control |
|
Facts on Emergency Contraception
Emergencies happen – even when it comes to your birth control. That's why emergency contraception (EC) is so important. You may also know it as the"morning-after" pill. EC is birth control for emergencies, and it works after sex.
Plan B® is two pills that are almost exactly like your regular birth control pills – just a higher dose. If taken within 72 hours after sex, Plan B® is 89% effective. If you are 18 or older, you can get Plan B® without a prescription. If you are 17 years old, call your pharmacy first to see if they carry the new pill, Plan B One-Step™, which is available over-the-counter if you're 17 or older. Plan B®is gradually being replaced in pharmacies by PlanB One-Step™.
NextChoice™ is the generic form of Plan B®. It also has two pills, but it is less expensive. If taken within 72 hours, NextChoice™ is 89% effective and works better the sooner you take it. If you are 17 or older, you can get NextChoice™ directly from a pharmacy without prescription.
Levonorgestrel tablets are another generic form of EC. It also comes as two pills, and is less expensive than Plan B®. If taken within 72 hours, Levonorgestrel tablets are 89% effective, and it works better the sooner you take it. If you are 17 or older, you can get Levonorgestrel tablets from a pharmacy without a prescription.
Plan B One-Step™ is the same medication as Plan B® packed into one pill. It is just as safe and effective as Plan B®. If taken within 72 hours, Plan B One-Step™ is 89% effective and works better the sooner you take it. Plan B One-Step™ is available without prescription for women and men 17 and older.
ella® is also only one pill and available only by prescription. It has a different formula than pills like Plan B®, Next Choice®, or Levonorgestrel tablets and is believed to be more effective for up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. You can receive a prescription from your health care provider or order ella® through an online prescription service.
In the U.S. there are four different options for EC:
Plan B® is two pills that are almost exactly like your regular birth control pills – just a higher dose. If taken within 72 hours after sex, Plan B® is 89% effective. If you are 18 or older, you can get Plan B® without a prescription. If you are 17 years old, call your pharmacy first to see if they carry the new pill, Plan B One-Step™, which is available over-the-counter if you're 17 or older. Plan B®is gradually being replaced in pharmacies by PlanB One-Step™.NextChoice™ is the generic form of Plan B®. It also has two pills, but it is less expensive. If taken within 72 hours, NextChoice™ is 89% effective and works better the sooner you take it. If you are 17 or older, you can get NextChoice™ directly from a pharmacy without prescription. Levonorgestrel tablets are another generic form of EC. It also comes as two pills, and is less expensive than Plan B®. If taken within 72 hours, Levonorgestrel tablets are 89% effective, and it works better the sooner you take it. If you are 17 or older, you can get Levonorgestrel tablets from a pharmacy without a prescription.Plan B One-Step™ is the same medication as Plan B® packed into one pill. It is just as safe and effective as Plan B®. If taken within 72 hours, Plan B One-Step™ is 89% effective and works better the sooner you take it. Plan B One-Step™ is available without prescription for women and men 17 and older.ella® is also only one pill and available only by prescription. It has a different formula than pills like Plan B®, Next Choice®, or Levonorgestrel tablets and is believed to be more effective for up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. You can receive a prescription from your health care provider or order ella® through an online prescription service.EC is a back-up form of contraception and should not be used as routine birth control. Emergency contraception DOES NOT prevent against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections, so it is still important to practice safe sex.
What's the deal with EC access in Maryland?
While 75% of Maryland pharmacies stock emergency contraception, some pharmacies refuse to stock or, more likely, stock on an inconsistent basis. Furthermore, there is a growing problem of pharmacists refusingto fill women's legally prescribed birth control prescriptions or disperse emergency contraception. At this time, Maryland does not have legislation in place to ensure that pharmacists always dispense these important and lawful medications.
JOIN US: