Instructions for Using Combined Emergency Contraceptive Pills
There are several choices for combined emergency contraceptive pills (a.k.a. ECPs, "morning after pills" or "day after pills") listed below. You need to take only one type of pill, not all of them. For example, if you use Ovral, you do not need Nordette. If you are getting your ECPs from a regular pack of birth control pills containing 28 pills (one for every day), remember that the last seven pills do not contain any hormones. In a 28-pill pack of Ovral, Ogestrel, Alesse, Levlite, Lo/Ovral, Low-Ogestrel, Nordette, Levlen, Levora, or Lutera, any of the first 21 pills can be used as ECPs. If you are using Triphasil or Tri-Levlen, the first 21 pills have three different colors, but only the yellow pills can be used as ECPs. If you are using Trivora, the first 21 pills have three different colors, but only the pink pills can be used as ECPs.
Brands of Combined Emergency Contraceptive Pills
Ovral (white pills only), Ogestrel (white pills only)
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Swallow 2 pills as soon as possible
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Swallow 2 more pills 12 hours later
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Lo/Ovral (white pills only), Low-Ogestrel (white pills only), Levora (white pills only), Crysselle (white pills only), Nordette (light-orange pills only), Levlen (light-orange pills only), Triphasil (yellow pills only), Tri-Levlen (yellow pills only), Trivora (pink pills only), Portia (pink pills only), Seasonale (pink pills only), or Enpresse (orange pills only)
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Swallow 4 pills as soon as possible
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Swallow 4 more pills 12 hours later
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Alesse (pink pills only), Lessina (pink pills only), Aviane (orange pills only), Levlite (pink pills only), Lutera (white pills only)
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Swallow 5 pills as soon as possible
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Swallow 5 more pills 12 hours later
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Swallow the first dose as soon as possible. ECPs are more effective the sooner after unprotected sex they are started.
Take the second dose 12 hours later. It is not even known what is the optimal timing between doses, much less whether the second dose is even necessary. All research on the efficacy of emergency contraceptive pills has used the 12 hour time frame, but it may not need to be so rigid. Taking the second dose a little early or late (+/- two hours, for example) will probably not make a difference in how effective the pills are, but we really do not know for sure.
Do not swallow any extra ECPs. More pills will probably not decrease the risk of pregnancy any further. More pills will increase the risk of nausea and vomiting.
If you have nausea, it is usually mild and should stop in a day or so. If you vomit within one hour after taking a dose, call your clinician. You may need to repeat a dose. You may need some anti-nausea medicine.
Watch for pill danger signals for the next couple of weeks. See your clinician at once if you have:
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severe pain in your leg (calf or thigh)
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chest pain or cough or shortness of breath
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severe headaches, dizziness, weakness, or numbness
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blurred vision, loss of vision, or trouble speaking
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jaundice (yellowish discoloration of the whites of the eyes, skin, and mucus membranes)
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Your next period may start a few days earlier than usual. You should have another, normal period within the next month. If not, you might consider getting a pregnancy test just to make sure you're not pregnant.
Get started as soon as you possibly can with a method of birth control you will be able to use every time you have sex. ECPs are meant for one-time, emergency protection. ECPs are not as effective as other forms of birth control. If you want to resume use of birth control pills after taking ECPs, consult your clinician. Protect yourself from AIDS and other sexual infections as well as pregnancy. Use condoms every time you have sex if you think you may be at risk.
Ovral, Lo/Ovral, Ogestrel, Low-Ogestrel, Nordette, Aviane, Levlen, Levlite, Triphasil, Tri-Levlen, Levora, Trivora and Alesse have been approved by the FDA as regular birth control pills. These products have not been submitted to the FDA for use as ECPs, but clinical research studies have shown that ECPs are safe and effective. The FDA has explicitly declared all brands of birth control pills listed above to be safe and effective for use as emergency contraceptives.