Plan B® One-Step is the only emergency contraception that is just one pill. Other emergency contraception requires two pills, twelve hours apart. It is a backup method of preventing pregnancy—and is not for routine use. It can reduce the chance of pregnancy when taken as directed up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex (if your regular birth control method fails, or if you've had sex without birth control).
Plan B® One-Step is one pill which has 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® One-Step works in a similar way to prevent pregnancy. Plan B® One-Step will not affect an existing pregnancy.
You can use Plan B® One-Step after you've had unprotected sex or contraceptive failure one or more times in the last 72 hours (3 days), and you don't want to become pregnant. Plan B® One-Step can be used as a backup method for birth control if, for example:
Plan B® One-Step should not be used:
You only have a few days to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Plan B® One-Step works better the sooner you take it. And unlike other emergency contraception, it's only one pill, so you can get what you need right away—within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.
Plan B® One-Step works better the sooner you use it. If it is taken as directed within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure, it can significantly decrease the chance that you will become pregnant. About 7 out of every 8 women who would have gotten pregnant will not become pregnant. Plan B® One-Step works even better if taken within the first 24 hours after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.
The only way of knowing Plan B® One-Step has been effective is when you get your next period, which should come at the expected time, or within a week of the expected time. If your period is more than 7 days late, you may be pregnant.
There is no medical evidence that Plan B® One-Step would harm a developing baby. If you take Plan B® One-Step accidentally after you're already pregnant, or it doesn't work and you become pregnant, it's not likely to cause any harm to you or your pregnancy. Plan B® One-Step will not disrupt or affect an existing pregnancy.
Plan B® One-Step should not be used as regular birth control. Plan B® One-Step is not as effective as using a regular birth control method correctly and consistently. It is a backup method to be used if your regular birth control fails, or if you have sex without birth control. If you have unprotected sex after taking Plan B® One-Step, it cannot protect you from getting pregnant.
Plan B® One-Step should only be used in emergencies, but there is no medical reason why you can't use it more than once. Don't be afraid to use Plan B® One-Step when you need to, but remember that it should never replace routine methods of contraception as it simply isn't as effective.
Plan B® One-Step doesn't provide long-term protection against future pregnancy—it only works to prevent this one incident. If you are sexually active, even occasionally, see your healthcare professional or clinic to find a method of birth control and STD prevention that suits you.
When used as directed, Plan B® One-Step is safe and effective. Side effects may include changes in your period, nausea, lower abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, dizziness and breast tenderness. Some women may have changes in their period, a heavier or lighter next period, or a period that is early or late. If your period is more than a week late, you may be pregnant. If you have severe abdominal pain, you may have an ectopic pregnancy, and should get immediate medical attention.
Do not use Plan B® One-Step:
When using this product you may have:
If you should experience severe abdominal pain, you may have an ectopic pregnancy and should get immediate medical attention.
It is recommended that a regular method of contraception be started immediately after Plan B® One-Step, since
Plan B® One-Step does not reliably protect against pregnancy beyond the day it is used. Check with your healthcare professional for instructions on taking your oral contraceptive. You should not deviate from the directions for use of your usual contraceptive.
If you have questions or need more information about this product, call our toll-free number, 1-800-330-1271, check out this website or ask a healthcare professional.