Approved by the FDA-Food and Drug Administration in July 2000, Plan B is distributed by Women's Capital Corporation, Seattle. It can be used any time during the menstrual cycle. Unlike RU-486, which aborts an established pregnancy up to 7 weeks after conception, Plan B has no effect on an existing pregnancy. Each packet contains 2 pills, each containing a 0.75 mg dose. One pill is taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, and the second is taken 12 hours later.
Effectiveness diminishes as the time since intercourse increases.
Plan B is simpler, milder and more effective than the first commercially prepared 'morning after' pill marketed in the US - Preven, which was approved in September 1999. Preven is a high-dose compound of estrogen and progestin. Health care professionals worry about side effects, counseling and medical management. Opponents of non-prescription status for the 'morning after' pill say it has dangerous side effects that need careful monitoring by a physician. I opposed to a woman's right to choose or her personal philosophy, simply concerned for her health.