What is EC?
Where can I get EC?
Will EC be available over-the-counter?
Personal stories about EC
Materials on EC
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EC?
- EC is an FDA approved contraceptive for use after sexual intercourse, when contraceptives have failed, or when no contraceptives were used.
- EC is 75 – 89% effective in preventing pregnancy when taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex. It can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex, but the sooner you take it, the better it works.
- Plan B is the brand-name for EC in the US. It contains the same hormones found in birth control pills.
- The label for Plan B says to take the first pill as soon as possible after unprotected sex and the second pill 12 hours later. Recent research has found that you can take both Plan B pills at the same time.
- EC is not the same thing as mifepristone, (RU-486) or the "abortion-pill,” which terminates an early pregnancy.
- If a woman takes EC during pregnancy, it will not harm the developing fetus or cause an abortion.
- For more information on EC, click on Key Facts for Women and Their Partners or Frequently Asked Questions.
Back to Top
Where can I get EC?
- If you are 18 or older, you can get EC at most drug stores without a prescription. If you are under 18, talk to your health care provider or click here to find a trained pharmacist who can sell you EC.
- As part of the new EC law in Massachusetts, specially trained pharmacists can sell EC to women of all ages who come in without a prescription. Click here to find a pharmacy with a specially trained pharmacist. Or, for more information on the EC pharmacy access law, click here.
- EC is also available with a prescription from your doctor or health care provider. Call your health care provider if you need EC or click here for a list of Family Planning Clinics in Massachusetts.
- Your health care provider or Family Planning Clinic can provide you with a pre-prescription for EC to keep on hand. Then you'll be ready in case you need EC pills in an emergency. Ask your doctor about EC.
- Click Here for a list of Family Planning Clinics in Massachusetts.
- You can order EC online from Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts or you can call 1-800-258-4448.
Pharmacists in Massachusetts are required to fill all valid prescriptions unless there is a medical reason for concern. There is no "conscience clause" that covers pharmacists in Massachusetts so they cannot refuse to fill a prescription based on personal beliefs.
- If a pharmacist refuses to fill your prescription for EC or other birth control, you can fill out a complaint form with the Board of Registration in Pharmacy. For more information on filing a complaint, click here.
- Please contact the EC Network and tell us your story. We are trying to track pharmacy refusals across the state.
Back to Top
Will EC be available over-the-counter?
- On August 24, 2006, the FDA approved Plan B for over-the-counter sales to women and men ages 18 and older. You will need to go to the pharmacist counter and show ID to get Plan B. Click here for more information.
- In Massachusetts, some pharmacists will be able to dispense EC without a prescription through an agreement with a physician. Women under 18 or women without ID can get Plan B from these specially trained pharmacists. Click here for more information.
- Click here for a timeline from Mother Jones magazine of the effort to make Plan B available over-the-counter.
Back to Top
Personal stories about EC
- Click here to read stories from sexual assult survivors about their experiences with EC on RaisingHerVoice.org.
- Click here to read stories from women and health care providers about their experiences with EC.
Back to Top
Materials on EC
Back to Top
Frequently Asked Questions
- Click here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Back to Top
|
