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Next Choice (Oral)
Generic name: levonorgestrel
Brand names: My Way, Next Choice, Plan B, Plan B One-Step
Uses for Next Choice
Levonorgestrel is an emergency contraceptive that helps prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or if another birth control method fails. It works by stopping a woman's egg from fully developing. It may also stop the woman's egg from attaching to the wall of the uterus (womb).
No contraceptive method is 100 percent effective. Methods such as having surgery to become sterile or not having sex are more effective. This medicine should not be used as a regular birth control method. Talk to your doctor about your birth control options.
Plan B One-Step® is available over the counter for any woman who can become pregnant.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Precautions while using Next Choice
It is very important for your doctor to monitor you closely to ensure this medicine is working correctly and does not cause unwanted side effects.
Even though you are using this medicine to prevent pregnancy, you should know that taking this medicine while you are pregnant could harm the unborn baby. Your doctor may perform a pregnancy test before you start using this medicine to confirm that you are not pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant while using this medicine, inform your doctor immediately.
Contact your doctor right away if you experience severe pain in your lower abdomen or stomach 3 to 5 weeks after taking this medicine. You could have an ectopic pregnancy, which is a pregnancy outside of the uterus (womb). An ectopic pregnancy can be serious and life-threatening. It can also create issues that may make it harder for you to become pregnant in the future.
You may notice some light bleeding a few days after taking this medicine. If the bleeding lasts more than 1 week, consult your doctor immediately.
This medicine may cause your next monthly period to arrive later than expected by a few days. If your next period after taking this medicine is more than 1 week late, contact your doctor immediately for a pregnancy test.
This medicine will not protect you from HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted infections. If this is a concern for you, discuss it with your doctor.
Your regular birth control method, such as birth control pills or a patch, may not be as effective while you are using this medicine. After using this medicine, you must use two forms of birth control. Use birth control pills or a patch along with another form of birth control, such as a condom, diaphragm, or contraceptive foam or jelly, during any other sexual activity in the same monthly period in which you used this medicine.
Do not take any other medicines unless you have talked about them with your doctor. This includes prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, as well as herbal (e.g., St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Before using Next Choice
In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to think about the risks of taking the medicine compared to the benefits it may provide. Here are some important points to consider:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also inform your healthcare professional about any other allergies you may have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Research so far has not shown any specific problems in teenage females that would limit the use of levonorgestrel. This medicine can be used for birth control in teenage females but is not recommended before menstruation begins.
Geriatric
There have not been any studies looking at how age affects the effects of levonorgestrel in older adults. This medicine is not intended for use in elderly women.
Breast Feeding
There are no sufficient studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and risks before taking this medicine while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Some medicines should not be used together at all, while others may be used together even if there is a chance of interaction. In these cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. When you are taking this medicine, it is very important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected based on their potential importance and may not include all possible interactions.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Tranexamic Acid
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you take one or both of the medicines.
- Amoxicillin
- Ampicillin
- Amprenavir
- Apalutamide
- Aprepitant
- Armodafinil
- Artemether
- Bacampicillin
- Belzutifan
- Betamethasone
- Bexarotene
- Bosentan
- Carbamazepine
- Carbenicillin
- Cefaclor
- Cefadroxil
- Cefdinir
- Cefditoren
- Cefixime
- Cefpodoxime
- Cefprozil
- Ceftazidime
- Ceftibuten
- Cefuroxime
- Cenobamate
- Ceritinib
- Clobazam
- Cloxacillin
- Colesevelam
- Cyclacillin
- Cyclosporine
- Dabrafenib
- Darunavir
- Dexamethasone
- Dicloxacillin
- Dipyrone
- Doxycycline
- Efavirenz
- Elagolix
- Elvitegravir
- Encorafenib
- Enzalutamide
- Eslicarbazepine Acetate
- Etravirine
- Fosamprenavir
- Fosaprepitant
- Fosphenytoin
- Griseofulvin
- Guar Gum
- Isotretinoin
- Ivosidenib
- Lesinurad
- Lixisenatide
- Lopinavir
- Lorlatinib
- Lumacaftor
- Mavacamten
- Meropenem
- Minocycline
- Mitapivat
- Mitotane
- Mobocertinib
- Modafinil
- Mycophenolate Mofetil
- Mycophenolic Acid
- Nafcillin
- Nelfinavir
- Nevirapine
- Octreotide
- Oxacillin
- Oxcarbazepine
- Oxytetracycline
- Penicillin G
- Penicillin G Procaine
- Penicillin V
- Phenobarbital
- Phenylbutazone
- Phenytoin
- Pitolisant
- Prednisolone
- Prednisone
- Primidone
- Red Clover
- Rifabutin
- Rifampin
- Rifapentine
- Ritonavir
- Rufinamide
- Secobarbital
- St John's Wort
- Sugammadex
- Sultamicillin
- Tazemetostat
- Telaprevir
- Telotristat Ethyl
- Tetracycline
- Theophylline
- Thioridazine
- Ticarcillin
- Tigecycline
- Tirzepatide
- Tizanidine
- Topiramate
- Ulipristal
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but taking both medicines may be necessary for your treatment. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you take one or both of the medicines.
- Acitretin
- Amitriptyline
- Atazanavir
- Clomipramine
- Diazepam
- Doxepin
- Imipramine
- Lamotrigine
- Licorice
- Lorazepam
- Perampanel
- Selegiline
- Tacrine
- Temazepam
- Triazolam
- Troleandomycin
- Voriconazole
- Warfarin
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Some medicines should not be used close to the time of eating food or certain types of food because interactions may happen. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also cause interactions. The following interactions have been selected based on their potential importance and may not include all possible interactions.
Using this medicine with any of the following may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both may be necessary in some cases. If used together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you take this medicine, or provide special instructions about using food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Caffeine
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Side Effects of Next Choice
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Heavy or light menstrual bleeding
Incidence not known
- Absent missed or irregular menstrual periods
- cramps
- irregular menstruation
- pain
- pain in the pelvis
- stopping of menstrual bleeding
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- dizziness
- headache
- nausea
- tenderness of the breasts
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
Less common
- Diarrhea
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In the U.S.
- My Way
- Next Choice
- Plan B
- Plan B One-Step
In Canada
- Option 2
Available Dosage Forms:
- Tablet
Therapeutic Class: Contraceptive, Progestin
Pharmacologic Class: Progestin
This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.
Proper use of Next Choice
Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor or follow the instructions on the package. This medicine is for occasional use as emergency birth control. It should not replace your regular birth control method. You may use this medicine at any time during your monthly period.
This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Plan B One-Step® is available as an over-the-counter medicine for any woman of childbearing potential.
If you vomit within 2 hours after taking this medicine, call your doctor right away. Your doctor may prescribe another tablet for you.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For emergency contraception:For oral dosage form (Plan B One-Step® tablets):Adults and teenagers—One tablet taken as soon as possible and not more than 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex or after failure of another birth control method.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Frequently asked questions
- Can Plan B make your period late or cause bleeding?
- Can you drink alcohol after taking Plan B?
- How many times can you take Plan B?
- What's the weight limit for Plan B?
- What are my birth control options and how effective are they?
- Mirena, Kyleena, Skyla & Liletta - What's the difference?
View more FAQ
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Content is provided for education and is not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.