How To Use Regular Birth Control Pills For Emergency Contraception

In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not regular birth control pills can be substituted for emergency contraceptive pills.

How To Use Regular Birth Control Pills For Emergency Contraception
Mar 27, 2018

SHan asked

Can I substitute Plan B one step with birth control pills?

Answer

Birth Control Emergency ContraceptivePlan B contains a high dose (1.5 mg) of the progestin levonorgestrel. Levonorgestrel is the hormone that has been most studied to be both effective and safe for use as an emergency contraceptive.

Emergency contraceptives should be used as soon as possible after unprotected sex to decrease the chances of pregnancy. If you do not have access to Plan B, some brands of daily birth control pills can be substituted.

Below is a list of daily birth control pills that are generally considered safe and effective for emergency contraception when used in place of Plan B when Plan B is not available.

Unlike Plan B One-Step, the most daily pills when used as an emergency contraceptive need to be taken in 2 doses.

  • The the first dose as soon as possible after unprotected sex (within 120 hours).
  • Take the second dose 12 hours later.
Daily Birth Control Pills As Emergency Contraceptive List

Brand Name First Dose Second Dose Estrogen Per Dose Levonorgestrel Per Dose
Plan B One Step 1 White Pill - - 1.5 mg
Amethia 4 White Pills 4 White Pills 120 mcg 0.6 mg
Amethia Lo 5 White Pills 5 White Pills 100 mcg 0.5 mg
Amethyst 6 White Pills 6 White Pills 120 mcg 0.54 mg
Aviane 5 Orange Pills 5 Orange Pills 100 mcg 0.5 mg
Camrese
4 Light Blue-Green Pills4 Light Blue-Green Pills120 mcg 0.6 mg
CamreseLo
5 Orange Pills5 Orange Pills100 mcg0.5 mg
Cryselle
4 White Pills4 White Pills120 mcg0.6 mg
Elineste
4 Orange Pills4 Orange Pills120 mcg0.6 mg
Enpresse
4 Orange Pills4 Orange Pills120 mcg0.5 mg
Falmina
5 Orange Pills5 Orange Pills100 mcg0.5 mg
Jolessa
4 Pink Pills4 Pink Pills120 mcg0.6 mg
Lessina
5 Pink Pills5 Pink Pills100 mcg0.5 mg
Levonest
4 Light Brown Pills4 Light Brown Pills120 mcg0.5 mg
Levora
4 White Pills4 White Pills120 mcg0.6 mg
LoSeasonique
5 Orange Pills5 Orange Pills100 mcg0.5 mg
Low-Ogestrele
4 White Pills4 White Pills120 mcg0.6 mg
Lutera
5 White Pills5 White Pills100 mcg0.5 mg
Marlissa
4 Peach Pills4 Peach Pills120 mcg0.6 mg
Nordette
4 Light-Orange Pills4 Light-Orange Pills120 mcg0.6 mg
Orsythia
5 Pink Pills5 Pink Pills100 mcg0.5 mg
Portia4 Pink Pills4 Pink Pills120 mcg 0.6 mg
Quasense4 White Pills4 White Pills120 mcg0.6 mg
Seasonale4 Pink Pills4 Pink Pills120 mcg0.6 mg
Seasonique4 Light-Blue-Green Pills4 Light-Blue-Green Pills120 mcg0.6 mg
Sronyx5 White Pills5 White Pills100 mcg0.5 mg
Triphasil4 Yellow Pills4 Yellow Pills120 mcg 0.5 mg
Trivora4 Pink Pills4 Pink Pills120 mcg0.5 mg
Vienva
5 White Pills5 White Pills100 mcg 0.5 mg

Chart Adapted From: Office of Population Research at Princeton University

While emergency contraception is considered safe, there can be acute side effects such as:

  • Depression or depressed mood 
  • General mood changes
  • Irritability 
  • Headache 
  • Migraine 
  • Dizziness 
  • Spotting and breakthrough bleeding
  • Amenorrhea (missed period)

The above side effects tend to be mild and any menstrual changes (e.g. spotting or a missed period) should resolve when your next cycle begins.

If you are in a situation where emergency contraception is needed and you don't have access to Plan B, it would be prudent to speak with your doctor regarding whether or not using your daily birth control pills as an alternative is the right choice in your specific situation.

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