Plan B is a form of emergency contraception
plan B, also known as the “morning after pill,” is for times when your birth control method has failed or been forgotten and you don’t want to get pregnant. Whether you’ve missed a few pills, the condom broke or slipped off, or you forgot to insert your diaphragm, etc., you can count on plan B. plan B can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex but the sooner you take it, the more effective it is. Use the calculator found on this page to determine how effective it will be for you.
What is plan B?
plan B is the first emergency contraceptive approved for sale in Canada. Each tablet contains 0.75 mg of Levonorgestrel—the same ingredient commonly found in birth control pills. plan B can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex.
What it’s not
It’s not an abortion pill. It won’t work and shouldn’t be taken if you’re already pregnant, or you think you are.
Don’t take more than one dose (2 pills) unless recommended by a healthcare professional. Taking more doses will not make it more effective.
It’s not protection from HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases or infections (STDs/STIs).
It’s not long-term protection against pregnancy. It only works to prevent pregnancy from this one incident.
It’s not your regular contraceptive. If you're even rarely or occasionally sexually active, find out about all available contraceptives and discuss them with your doctor.
Most women can take plan B safely
Since the year 2000 hundreds of thousands of women have taken plan B. Speak to your pharmacist to find out if it’s right for you. And be sure to talk to a doctor or pharmacist first if you have: undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding, known or suspected breast cancer, liver disease or tumour, high blood pressure, or if you have diabetes, are using any other medication, or are breastfeeding.
Make sure you’re not allergic to any of the non-medicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, potato starch, magnesium stearate, talc, cornstarch and lactose monohydrate.