A safe, effective option for women in their
childbearing years

Next Choice® is a progestin-only emergency contraceptive that helps prevent unplanned pregnancies after unprotected sex, sexual attack, or a known or suspected contraceptive failure.

It is a generic product containing levonorgestrel and considered bioequivalent to the two tablet Plan B® product. It is available behind the pharmacy counter and sold under the guidance of a licensed pharmacist. Women 16 years of age or younger require a prescription. The two tablet Plan B® product was approved by the FDA in July 1999 and Next Choice was approved for prescription in July 2009. In August 2009, Next Choice was approved for over-the-counter use by consumers 17 years or older. Women 16 years of age or younger require a prescription.

Simple and safe for women to take

• Estrogen free
• Well tolerated
• The safety profile of levonorgestrel was superior to levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol (Yuzpe) regimen for nausea and vomiting
• When taken as directed, will not disrupt or affect existing pregnancy

It is important to note Next Choice is not RU-486 (the abortion pill). Instead, it works by preventing ovulation and/or fertilization, like a birth control pill, and may also inhibit implantation. Next Choice is not a substitute for routine contraception, and it is not as effective as properly used birth control methods

The sooner, the better

When used as directed, Next Choice can reduce a woman’s risk of getting pregnant by as much as 89% if it is taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, sexual attack, or a known or suspected contraceptive failure. A study demonstrated even greater efficacy when taken within 24 hours.^3,4

Healthcare providers can play a key role in making sure the information that patient have about emergency contraceptive use and access is accurate.⁵