My Choice pill is an emergency oral contraceptive pill containing Levonorgestrel 1.5mg. My Choice pill is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse (sex without any method of birth control or with a birth control method that failed or was not used properly [e.g., a condom that slipped or broke or birth control pills that were not taken as scheduled]).
My Choice pill is not to be used to prevent pregnancy on a regular basis. This medication is to be used as an emergency contraceptive or backup in case regular birth control fails or is used incorrectly. Levonorgestrel is in a class of medications called progestins. Any woman or girl of reproductive age may need emergency contraception to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. There are no absolute medical contraindications to the use of emergency contraception. There are no age limits for the use of emergency contraception.
How My Choice pill works
My Choice pill works by preventing the release of an egg from the ovary or preventing fertilization of the egg by sperm (male reproductive cells). It also may work by changing the lining of the uterus (womb) to prevent development of a pregnancy. Levonorgestrel may prevent pregnancy, but it will not prevent the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS]) and other sexually transmitted diseases.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking My choice pill,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to levonorgestrel, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in levonorgestrel tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements, you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: barbiturates such as phenobarbital or secobarbital; bosentan (Tracleer); griseofulvin (Grifulvin V, Gris-PEG); certain medications used to treat HIV including atazanavir (Reyataz). darunavir (Prezista, in Prezcobix), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), etravirine (Intelence), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir (in Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), rilpivirine (Edurant, in Complera), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), saquinavir (Invirase), and tipranavir (Aptivus); certain medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Oxtellar XR, Trileptal), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), and topiramate (Qudexy XR, Topamax, Trokendi XR, in Qsymia); and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane). Levonorgestrel may not work as well or may be more likely to cause side effects if it is taken with these medications.
- tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John’s wort.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any medical conditions.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Do not take levonorgestrel if you are already pregnant. Levonorgestrel will not end a pregnancy that has already begun.
- you should know that after you take levonorgestrel, it is normal for your next menstrual period to begin up to a week earlier or later than expected. If your next menstrual period is delayed for longer than 1 week after the expected date, call your doctor. You may be pregnant and your doctor will probably tell you to have a pregnancy test.
How should I take My Choice pill?
- Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.
- Take the first tablet as soon as possible after unprotected sex, unless directed otherwise by your doctor. Take the second tablet 12 hours after the first tablet.
- You may take the pills with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.
- If you vomit within one hour of taking either dose of this medicine, call your doctor to ask if you should repeat that dose.
- You may take the pills with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.
- Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.
How effective is my choice pill?
If you take My Choice pill within 72 hours after you’ve had unprotected sex, levonorgestrel can reduce the risk of pregnancy by up to 87% if taken as directed. If you take Plan B One-Step within 24 hours, it is much more effective.
But you should know that My Choice pill is not as effective as regular contraception. So don’t take it as a form of birth control. And, it does not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases. Think of it as a backup — not for routine use.
Why is my choice pill, so cheap?
Emergency contraceptives pills like My choice are sometimes subsidized to promote responsible reproductive health behavior. You can get emergency contraception like My choice from a pharmacy without a prescription (over the counter) or for free from a Family Planning clinic or from most Sexual Health Services.
What side effects can My choice pills cause?
My choice pills may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- heavier or lighter than usual menstrual bleeding
- spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- tiredness
- headache
- dizziness
- breast pain or tenderness
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience the following symptom, call your doctor immediately:
- severe lower abdominal pain (3 to 5 weeks after taking levonorgestrel)
My choice pills may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
