524 Emergency family planning (emergency pills)
How to take pills for emergency family planning
Pills for emergency
family planning
High-dose pills containing 50 mcg ethinyl
estradiol (Ovral, Ogestrel)
Low-dose pills containing 30 or 35 mcg
ethinyl estradiol (Lo-Femenal, Lo/Ovral,
Microgynon, Nordette)
Low-dose pills containing 20 mcg ethinyl
estradiol (Alesse, Lessina, Lutera)
Special emergency pills containing ethinyl
estradiol and levonorgestrel (Tetragynon)
Progestin-only pills (mini-pills)
containing 75 mcg levonorgestrel
(Ovrette, Neogest)
First
dose
Take 2 pills
Take 4 pills
Second
dose
(12 hours later)
Take 2 more pills
Take 4 more pills
Take 5 pills
Take 5 more pills
Take 2 pills
Take 2 more pills
Take 40 pills, one time only, or
20 pills in one dose and 20 more pills 12 hours later
Progestin-only pills (mini-pills)
containing 30 mcg levonorgestrel
(Microval, Norgeston)
Take 50 pills, one time only, or
25 pills in one dose and 25 more pills 12 hours later
Special emergency pills containing 1500 mcg Take one pill, one time only
levonorgestrel (Postinor 1)
Special emergency pills containing 750 mcg
levonorgestrel (Postinor, Postinor-2,
Plan B, Pill 72, Post-Day)
Take 2 pills, one time only
With a pack of 28 pills, use any of the first 21 pills for emergency contraception. Do not
use the last 7 pills in a 28-day pack, because these pills do not contain any hormones.
Progestin-only pills and special emergency pills have fewer side effects (headaches and
nausea) than combined pills used for emergency family planning.
Where Women Have No Doctor  2012