The FDA has approved the morning after pill for women of any age as an over-the-counter medication and with no point-of-sale restrictions. Over-the-counter (OTC) means that no prescription is required.
The FDA said the approval is for “women of child bearing age potential”, i.e. any female who can get pregnant.
The FDA said the approval is for “women of child bearing age potential”, i.e. any female who can get pregnant.
Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel)the morning after pill
Plan B One-Step is now available OTC for all women of childbearing age potential
Plan B One-Step contains levonorgestrelbirth controlovulation
- Is not an abortion pill (an RU-486)
- Is ineffective if the woman is already pregnant
- Should not affect/terminate an existing pregnancy
- Is not intended as a regular form of birth control
- Will not protect the woman from HIV or other STDs (sexually transmitted diseases)
“Over-the-counter access to emergency contraceptive products has the potential to further decrease the rate of unintended pregnancies in the United States.”
In July 2009, Plan B One-Step was approved by the FDA
FDA later approved Plan B One-Step as an OTC product for females aged 15+ years
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach ache
- headache
- dizziness
- breast tenderness