In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not regular birth control pills can be substituted for emergency contraceptive pills.
Can I substitute Plan B one step with birth control pills?
Plan B contains a high dose (1.5 mg) of the progestin levonorgestrel. Levonorgestrel is the hormone that has been most studied to be both effective and safe for use as an emergency contraceptive.
Emergency contraceptives should be used as soon as possible after unprotected sex to decrease the chances of pregnancy. If you do not have access to Plan B, some brands of daily birth control pills can be substituted.
Below is a list of daily birth control pills that are generally considered safe and effective for emergency contraception when used in place of Plan B when Plan B is not available.
Unlike Plan B One-Step, the most daily pills when used as an emergency contraceptive need to be taken in 2 doses.
| Brand Name | First Dose | Second Dose | Estrogen Per Dose | Levonorgestrel Per Dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan B One Step | 1 White Pill | - | - | 1.5 mg |
| Amethia | 4 White Pills | 4 White Pills | 120 mcg | 0.6 mg |
| Amethia Lo | 5 White Pills | 5 White Pills | 100 mcg | 0.5 mg |
| Amethyst | 6 White Pills | 6 White Pills | 120 mcg | 0.54 mg |
| Aviane | 5 Orange Pills | 5 Orange Pills | 100 mcg | 0.5 mg |
| Camrese | 4 Light Blue-Green Pills | 4 Light Blue-Green Pills | 120 mcg | 0.6 mg |
| CamreseLo | 5 Orange Pills | 5 Orange Pills | 100 mcg | 0.5 mg |
| Cryselle | 4 White Pills | 4 White Pills | 120 mcg | 0.6 mg |
| Elineste | 4 Orange Pills | 4 Orange Pills | 120 mcg | 0.6 mg |
| Enpresse | 4 Orange Pills | 4 Orange Pills | 120 mcg | 0.5 mg |
| Falmina | 5 Orange Pills | 5 Orange Pills | 100 mcg | 0.5 mg |
| Jolessa | 4 Pink Pills | 4 Pink Pills | 120 mcg | 0.6 mg |
| Lessina | 5 Pink Pills | 5 Pink Pills | 100 mcg | 0.5 mg |
| Levonest | 4 Light Brown Pills | 4 Light Brown Pills | 120 mcg | 0.5 mg |
| Levora | 4 White Pills | 4 White Pills | 120 mcg | 0.6 mg |
| LoSeasonique | 5 Orange Pills | 5 Orange Pills | 100 mcg | 0.5 mg |
| Low-Ogestrele | 4 White Pills | 4 White Pills | 120 mcg | 0.6 mg |
| Lutera | 5 White Pills | 5 White Pills | 100 mcg | 0.5 mg |
| Marlissa | 4 Peach Pills | 4 Peach Pills | 120 mcg | 0.6 mg |
| Nordette | 4 Light-Orange Pills | 4 Light-Orange Pills | 120 mcg | 0.6 mg |
| Orsythia | 5 Pink Pills | 5 Pink Pills | 100 mcg | 0.5 mg |
| Portia | 4 Pink Pills | 4 Pink Pills | 120 mcg | 0.6 mg |
| Quasense | 4 White Pills | 4 White Pills | 120 mcg | 0.6 mg |
| Seasonale | 4 Pink Pills | 4 Pink Pills | 120 mcg | 0.6 mg |
| Seasonique | 4 Light-Blue-Green Pills | 4 Light-Blue-Green Pills | 120 mcg | 0.6 mg |
| Sronyx | 5 White Pills | 5 White Pills | 100 mcg | 0.5 mg |
| Triphasil | 4 Yellow Pills | 4 Yellow Pills | 120 mcg | 0.5 mg |
| Trivora | 4 Pink Pills | 4 Pink Pills | 120 mcg | 0.5 mg |
| Vienva | 5 White Pills | 5 White Pills | 100 mcg | 0.5 mg |
While emergency contraception is considered safe, there can be acute side effects such as:
The above side effects tend to be mild and any menstrual changes (e.g. spotting or a missed period) should resolve when your next cycle begins.
If you are in a situation where emergency contraception is needed and you don't have access to Plan B, it would be prudent to speak with your doctor regarding whether or not using your daily birth control pills as an alternative is the right choice in your specific situation.
