As a pharmacist, you play an important role in patient education, and women may come to you for information on emergency contraception. The talking points below can help you anticipate and be ready to answer their questions.

• Because the unexpected can happen, emergency contraception (EC) is a safe and effective way that can help prevent an unplanned pregnancy.


• Plan B^® One-Step is a backup, or emergency method of contraception and should not be used as a regular birth control method because it is not as effective. Taking Plan B^® One-Step before a woman has unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure will not protect her from getting pregnant.


• Plan B^® One-Step is not the same as RU-486 (the abortion pill). Plan B^® One-Step works in a similar way to regular birth control pills to help prevent an unplanned pregnancy. If a woman takes Plan B after she is already pregnant, it will not affect her pregnancy.

A woman only has a few days to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure. Plan B^® One-Step should be taken as soon as possible within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure.

• A woman may experience menstrual changes after taking Plan B^® One-Step. Her period may be heavier or lighter, earlier or later. If her period is more than one week late, she may be pregnant.


• A woman may experience nausea when taking Plan B^® One-Step. In the event that a patient vomits within two hours of taking a Plan B^® One-Step tablet, consideration should be given to repeating the dose.


• Plan B^® One-Step does not protect against HIV infection (the virus that causes AIDS) and any other sexually transmitted disease (STD).


• If a woman experiences severe abdominal pain after taking Plan B^® One-Step, she may have an ectopic pregnancy and should seek immediate medical attention.