Emergency oral contraceptive pills primarily contain Levonorgestrel, which is a form of hormone progestogen. Taking these pills within 72 hours of unprotected sex minimizes the chances of pregnancy. Their effectiveness, though, diminishes with time. If taken within 24 hours, they are found to be 95% effective. If the same is taken between 25 to 48 hours, the chances of parturiency reduce to 85%. The same goes for 58% if taken between 49 and 72 hours. These pills are sold in India without a prescription, but in the US, it is only sold to people aged above 17 years and with a proof certificate. Listed below are the names of contraceptive pills that can be used to avoid pregnancy and are available in India.
Levonorgestrel, the primary ingredient, works in 3 different ways as below –
- Egg is stopped from being released by ovary
- Prevents fertilizing of the egg by sperm (if the egg is already released)
- Stops egg from binding to the lining of the womb (if the egg is already fertilized)
Uses of Emergency Contraceptive Pills
As the name indicates, emergency contraceptive pills are so-called because they are designed for emergencies only. The following scenarios qualify as emergencies where emergency contraceptive pills can be used to prevent pregnancy-
In any case, you should never use ECPs as a regular medium of contraception – talk to your doctor to know what regular contraceptive mode suits you the best.
Emergency Contraceptive Pills in India – A Review
1. I Pill Emergency Contraceptive Pill
I-pill is an emergency contraceptive pill by Cipla, a multinational pharmaceutical company in India. In 2007, the company launched this drug, which was sold over the counter(without a prescription). Some of the top points for it are –
- I Pill should not be mistaken as an abortion pill
- The pill is safe for women between 25 and 45 years old
- Its long-term use could cause serious menstrual problems
- It will turn useless if taken after 72 hours
- I-Pill has a maximum effectiveness of 95% and is not full-proof
- It does not give protection from HIV/AIDS
- Mothers feeding their milk to babies could also take it without affecting milk
- If a woman has an allergy to Levonorgestrel, they should consult a doctor before taking it
Price: It costs Rs. 75.35 while writing this article and is available with all leading drug stores.
2. Unwanted 72
Unwanted 72 comes from Mankind Pharmaceuticals, one of India’s top 5 pharmaceutical companies. It comes in a single tablet that contains 1.5 mg of synthetic progestin and Levonorgestrel. It primarily blocks hormones LH and FSH actions to prevent pregnancy. If taken within 72 hours, it blocks all actions that cause pregnancy.
Side Effects
Though there are no major side effects of taking this pill, one should be cautious with long-term use. People suffering from specific allergies like Levonorgestrel, pre-existing disease, or undergoing or upcoming surgery should always consult a doctor before taking the drug. Irregular bleeding is one of the major side effects reported after taking this medication.
Price: Unwanted-72 tablet 1’s come with a price tag of Rs. 75 only.
3. Preventol
A pack of Preventol emergency contraceptives contains two pills with 0.75mg. One should take the 1st pill just after unprotected sex and the 2nd one after 12 hours. It contains the hormone Levonorgestrol, which is very similar to the female hormone progestin. Hill Life Care Ltd manufactures Prevention.
When Preventol should not be taken?
- After 72 hours of intercourse
- Delayed periods
- When uterine bleeding is excessive or abnormal
- Levonorgestrol allergy
- If there is a chance of getting pregnant
- It might not be very effective on women taking anti-epileptic drugs
Is there any side effects?
Tenderness of the breasts might be one of the side effects. Other effects include dizziness, vomiting, headache, and nausea. Most of these effects are temporary. The periods might happen a week before or after the actual date. Nursing mothers could take this pill as it has few effects on milk.
Price: Preventol 0.75mg Tablet costs Rs. 247 for a single tablet dose which is advised to be taken with food or without it.
4. Truston 2
V Care Pharma Ltd. is the pharmaceutical company behind this drug. The pack of Truston 2 contains 2 pills. One should be taken within 24 hours after unprotected intercourse and the other after 12 hours of taking 1st. Taking the first pill within 12 hours is advised to increase its effectiveness.
Price: A pack of Truston 2 is reasonably priced at Rs. 60.
5. Nextime
Paras Pharmaceuticals Ltd develops Nextime. It contains 1.5mg of levonorgestrel, which should be taken within 72 hours of copulation. The hormone in the pill reduces the growth of the womb’s lining and stiffens the cervical mucus. Due to this action, the egg and sperm cannot make any contact, which is essential for fertilization.
Side Effects
Some of the top effects include abnormal menstrual periods, headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, and nausea. Some women have also complained of mood changes after taking the pill, but that is not common.
Price: Nextime 1.5mg tablet costs Rs.51.03 for 1 strip.
6. Pill 72
Cipla Limited is the manufacturer of Pill 72, a hormonal contraceptive that comes in a packet with 2 tablets of 0.75mg each. It is a birth control pill that is taken after an unprotected copulation. It could also be taken when there is a chance of failure of the birth control method being used. This primarily works to –
- Prevents ovulation
- Stops movement of eggs or sperm
- Alters lining of uterus to prevent fertilization
Dosage: Take the 1st table as soon as possible. The 2nd tablet should be taken 12 hours after the 1st one. It could be taken on an empty stomach or after food, too. Sometimes, one has to take 2 tablets at once per the doctor’s guidelines. If vomiting happens within one hour of taking the tablet, one must consult a doctor if the medication must be taken again. The period might be irregular but not more than 7 days. Consult a doctor if that is the case.
Price – One pill costs Rs. 34. The packet with 2 pills costs Rs. 68.
7. No-Will Pill
No-Will oral tablet is a product from Zee Laboratories. The packet of No-Will contains a single pill, which should be taken within 72 hours; the sooner, the better. It is primarily taken when people forget regular birth control methods when the contraceptive method fails and improper use of regular methods. It should be noted that these pills in no way should be used regularly.
How to Use it?
It is always better to take it in the first 12 hours to have maximum effect and efficiency. However, it could be taken within 72 hours, which is effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy. To prevent vomiting, one should not take it on an empty stomach. Women who are allergic to levonorgestrel should not take it. Its effectiveness reduces with time as below –
- Within 24 hours – 95%
- 25 – 48 hours – 85%
- 49 – 72 hours – 58%
Side Effects
It has no serious side effects. However, some of the top ones are –
- Breast Tenderness
- Feeling of sickness
- Irregular Bleeding
- Lower abdomen pain
- Spout
Price: The price for NOWILL 1.5mg tablet is Rs. 90.
FAQ
What Are The Possible Side Effects Of ECPs?
It should be noted that ECPs are meant for emergencies only – when you have had unprotected coitus or your usual method of contraception has failed. Since these are hormonal pills, they can disrupt the normal menstrual cycle but not make you infertile. This is a myth.
The truth is that though ECPs are fairly safe to use, they are not a desired way of regular contraception and should be used in emergencies only. Possible and common side effects include –
- Headaches/nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain/cramping
- Dizziness or blurry vision
- Shortness of breath or pain in the chest
- Severe pain in arms or legs
However, these side effects are temporary and should not last more than 2-3 days.
Can Emergency Contraceptive Pills be used for abortion?
No, since ECP cannot act on the eggs attached to the womb’s lining. Already, pregnant women cannot use it for an abortion, and side effects cannot be ruled out. One has to be cautious and should consult a doctor in case abortion is required.
Why morning-after contraception is important?
The number of illegal abortions in India is close to 500,000. Close to 10 abortions in India are done illegally by unqualified persons and illegal clinics out of every legal abortion. Due to abortions, nearly 20,000 women die in India every year, according to Individual Personal Assistance Service (IPAS). India ranks on top for the number of illegal abortions in the world. The deaths, primarily in India, could be reduced by the use of ECP.
Is Emergency Contraceptive Pills Safe?
As per the manufacturers of these pills, taking them does not cause any serious side effects. Some of the side effects are minor, including abdominal pain, headache, vomiting, nausea, etc. However, its misuse could cause some long-term effects that are not explained. In no way is ECP a replacement for IUDs, contraception pills, condoms, etc.
Is there any chance of congenital disability if one gets pregnant after taking ECP?
No. None of the studies to date indicate this to be true. The chances of having a baby with a congenital disability are negligible.
Does taking an ECP work for the full cycle?
No, It is not effective for a full cycle. It is only effective when taken within 72 hours of unprotected copulation. Beyond that, it is advisable to use regular contraceptive methods.
Can anyone take this pill?
No, women who are suffering from diabetes, high BP, or Levonorgestrel allergy should consult a doctor before taking this medication. Women with tubal pregnancy history should also consult a Gynecologist before taking it.
Are ECP and abortion pills the same?
No, they are not the same. Abortion pills are not sold without a doctor’s prescription and are always taken under his supervision. ECP could be brought over the counter and is in no way aids in abortion. They just prevent pregnancy, and that too within the prescribed period.
How effective is the morning-after pill?
The morning-after pill is often referred to as Plan B. This is because it should be only taken when the primary contraceptive method fails. The pill’s effectiveness highly depends on how soon it is taken. Here are some stats you might be interested to know –
- 95% – Within 12 hours
- 85% – Between 12 to 24 hours
- 75% – Within 24 to 48 hours
- 58% – Between 48-72 hours
The effectiveness is also affected by some of the reasons mentioned below –
- Vomiting – Vomiting and nausea are 2 conditions common after taking this pill. The risk of its failure increases if vomiting happens and the tablet is not properly absorbed in the body. Some women might need additional doses only after a doctor’s consultation. If it happens within 3 hours, then the doctor might ask to take it again.
- Body Mass Index – Some of the brands are more effective for women with high BMI. A doctor could tell which one is better according to the health condition.
- Medications – Some of the drugs might interfere with the working of ECPs. The top medications include but are not limited to one taken during a seizure, TB(ex. Rifabutin), HIV drugs, Saint John’s wort, etc.
- Health Conditions – These might now be suitable for people women suffering from –
- Liver disease
- Porphyria
- Crohn’s disease and other stomach problems
- Hormone related problems
- Some Allergies
The morning after, Contraceptive Pills are approved in some major countries like the UK and France. They are sold in 28 other countries. There is no doubt about their authenticity, but they should be used in emergency cases only. Complications from their regular use cannot be ruled out as they are not made for that purpose. There are several contraceptive methods available to choose from. Discuss with your doctor and choose a method that is right for you for long-term usage.
