Plan B One-Step® is the only one-pill emergency contraceptive available over the counter, for consumers age 17 and older. 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 that 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:

• 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

Plan B One-Step® should not be used:

• If you're already pregnant, because it won't work
• If you're allergic to levonorgestrel or any of the ingredients in Plan B One-Step®
• In place of regular birth control. Plan B One-Step® should not be used as routine birth control, as it's not as effective. Plan B One-Step® won't protect you from HIV infection (the virus that causes AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

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. 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 seven out of every eight women who would have gotten pregnant will not become pregnant.

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 seven 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®:

• If you're already pregnant, because it won't work
• If you're allergic to levonorgestrel or any of the ingredients in Plan B One-Step®
• In place of regular birth control. Plan B One-Step® should not be used as routine birth control, as it isn't as effective. Plan B One-Step® won't protect you from HIV infection (the virus that causes AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

When using this product you may have:

• Changes in your period
• Nausea
• Lower abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Breast tenderness

If you should experience severe abdominal pain, you may have an ectopic pregnancy and should get immediate medical attention.

You should resume your regular method of contraception—or start one, if you don’t have a regular method - right away, since Plan B One-Step® does not reliably protect against pregnancy beyond the day it is used. You do not need to use additional back-up contraception to your birth control pills after using Plan B One-Step®.

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.