Plan B Side Effects How Long

Plan B Side Effects How Long

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Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 26, 2022.
Note: This document contains side effect information about levonorgestrel. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Plan B.
Applies to levonorgestrel : oral tablet
Along with its needed effects, levonorgestrel (the active ingredient contained in Plan B ) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking levonorgestrel:
Some side effects of levonorgestrel may occur that usually do not need medical attention . These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Applies to levonorgestrel: intrauterine device, oral tablet, subcutaneous implant
The most commonly reported adverse effects are alterations of menstrual bleeding patterns, nausea, abdominal/pelvic pain, headache/ migraine , dizziness, fatigue, amenorrhea , ovarian cysts , genital discharge, acne /seborrhea, breast tenderness, and vulvovaginitis. [ Ref ]
Very common (10% or more): Irregular menstrual bleeding (67%), infrequent menstrual bleeding (up to 57%), ovarian cyst (31.2%), menstrual changes (up to 31.9%), decreased uterine bleeding (23.4%), prolonged menstrual bleeding (22%), vulvovaginitis (20.2%), amenorrhea (18.4%), genital discharge (up to 14.9%), heavier menstrual bleeding (13.8%),vaginal infections (13.6%), vulvovaginal infections (13.3%), lighter menstrual bleeding (12.5%), increased scheduled uterine bleeding (11.9%), breast tenderness (10.7%)
Common (1% to 10%): Dysmenorrhea, breast pain/discomfort, upper genital tract infection, genital tract bleeding, pelvic inflammatory disease , endometritis , dyspareunia, pelvic discomfort/pain, delay of menses more than 7 days, vaginal discharge, bleeding not related to menses
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Uterine spasm, cervicitis/Papanicolaou smear normal class II, change in vaginal secretion
Rare (less than 0.1%): Uterine perforation
Frequency not reported : Breast enlargement, vaginal candidiasis , changes in cervical erosion, changes in cervical secretion, ectopic pregnancy
Postmarketing reports : Oligomenorrhea, irregular menstruation [ Ref ]
Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 23.1%), abdominal/pelvic pain (up to 22.6%)
Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, vomiting
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal distension
Frequency not reported : Bloating, abdominal cramps [ Ref ]
Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (16.9%)
Common (1% to 10%): Partial/complete IUS expulsion, weight increased
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Edema , change in body weight
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Face edema
Frequency not reported : Decreased weight, sepsis , group A streptococcal sepsis
Postmarketing reports : IUS breakage, procedural bleeding [ Ref ]
Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 16.8%), dizziness (11.2%)
Postmarketing reports : Stroke, syncope , IUS insertion related vasovagal reaction or seizure [ Ref ]
Common (1% to 10%): Depression/depressed mood, mood changes, mood swings, decreased libido, nervousness
Frequency not reported : Changes in libido [ Ref ]
Very common (10% or more): Acne/seborrhea (15%)
Common (1% to 10%): Alopecia , hirsutism
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pruritus , eczema , pigmentation changes/hyperpigmentation
Rare (less than 0.1%): Rash, urticaria
Frequency not reported : Chloasma, melasma
Postmarketing reports : Angioedema [ Ref ]
Postmarketing reports : Increased blood pressure, arterial/venous thrombotic events, pulmonary emboli, deep vein thrombosis , stroke [ Ref ]
Common (1% to 10%): Back pain [ Ref ]
Frequency not reported : Benign/malignant liver tumors
Postmarketing reports : Breast cancer [ Ref ]
Frequency not reported : Contact lens intolerance [ Ref ]
Frequency not reported : Diabetes mellitus [ Ref ]
Frequency not reported : Allergic reaction
Postmarketing reports : Hypersensitivity reactions [ Ref ]
1. "Product Information. Mirena (levonorgestrel)." Berlex Laboratories (2003):
2. "Product Information. Plan B (levonorgestrel)." Women's Capital Corporation (2003):
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
5. "Product Information. Skyla (levonorgestrel)." Bayer Pharmaceutical Inc (2013):
6. "Product Information. Liletta (levonorgestrel)." Actavis Pharma, Inc. (2016):
7. "Product Information. Kyleena (levonorgestrel)." Bayer Pharmaceutical Inc (2018):
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA .
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Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 July 2022), Cerner Multum™ (updated 27 June 2022), ASHP (updated 16 May 2022) and others.
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Plan B is an over-the-counter emergency contraceptive that should be taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse to prevent pregnancy. Emergency contraceptives come in many brands including Plan B One-Step, Aftera, Econtra EZ, Take Action, Preventeza, and more .
Here's what to expect if you take a Plan B pill.
The way emergency contraceptives work is that they contain a large dose of levonorgestrel . Levonorgestrel is a synthetic hormone that mimics the sex hormone progesterone, which prevents ovulation and, hence, pregnancy.
Plan B and other emergency contraceptives contain 1.5 milligrams of levonorgestrel. That's three times more than what you get in a regular

birth control

pill. As a result, this large, concentrated dose can cause side effects like:
You might also notice changes to your menstrual cycle, like irregular bleeding.
While Plan B side effects can be uncomfortable, they shouldn't feel excessively extreme or severe. If your side effects continue or become worse after more than a few days, visit with a doctor.
"The duration of side effects is variable from woman to woman," says Dr. Nina Carroll , MD and OB-GYN of Your Doctors Online . But here is what the experience could look like if you decide to use Plan B.
Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do to make the side effects resolve more quickly or prevent them from happening in the first place.
However, you may be able to manage your symptoms. Doctors may suggest an anti-nausea medicine or pain reliever to reduce discomfort.

Now Reading What To Know About Plan B Side Effects
While Plan B reduces your chance of pregnancy by 75-89% if taken correctly, it does have some potential side effects, like any other form of birth control. Luckily, these side effects aren’t serious. We talked to Ashton Strachan, DNP, CRNP, of the Student Health Services at University of Alabama at Birmingham, to get the facts about Plan B side effects.
First, it’s important to understand how Plan B works . Plan B's active ingredient is levonorgestrel, which is a synthetic hormone and a kind of progestin. After you take Plan B , the progestin works to decrease the stimulation of two hormones: follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. Usually, these two hormones work together to trigger the release of an egg, called ovulation . But the progestin in Plan B prevents this release in what's called negative feedback inhibition. “If it’s inhibiting those hormones, then it’s not going to stimulate that egg to release,” Strachan explains.
All this means that Plan B works to prevent ovulation — not fertilization. So if the egg has already been released , Plan B won't be effective, and it won't end an existing pregnancy. Plan B is recommended for use within 72 hours of unprotected sex, but the sooner you take it, the better. Now, the side effects.
Your next period might be early or late
First, Plan B can “potentially alter when your next cycle would be,” Strachan explains. Your period may arrive up to a week earlier or later than usual, or it could not be affected at all. It also may be lighter or heavier than usual.
Additionally, you may see some spotting between the time you take Plan B and your next period. Remember, for spotting, you might notice a few drops of blood on your underwear, but it won't look or feel like a normal period.
If you take Plan B regularly, your period may become irregular
Generally, your period should return to normal by your next cycle, but if you take Plan B often , your period could become irregular for a longer time. That's part of why Plan B is a type of emergency contraception — it's meant to help prevent pregnancy if your regular form of contraception falls through, not serve as your primary form of birth control .
Around 18% of people who use Plan B experience abdominal pain, which the contraceptive's website calls a common side effect. (Though sudden or abnormal cramping is a sign to see a doctor right away.) While that number seems small, it's still a possibility. Plan B also notes that most of their common side effects can last up to 24 hours, but usually no longer.
Plan B has a few other possible side effects , none of which are serious. These include spotting, nausea (and occasionally vomiting), headache, dizziness, and tender breasts. Planned Parenthood notes that if you vomit within two hours of taking Plan B, it won’t be effective and you’ll need to take it again. Anecdotally, some people have noticed acne breakouts after taking Plan B, though it's not in the official list of side effects. Apart from potentially throwing off the timing of your next period, Plan B side effects usually last only a few days.
If this all sounds familiar, that’s because the potential side effects of taking Plan B are similar to the potential side effects of taking other forms of hormonal birth control, like the pill. Which makes sense — both contain progestin, although Plan B contains a higher dose , and the pill usually contains estrogen as well (though there are some progestin-only forms of birth control pills ). ”It’s the symptoms you would potentially get if you took birth control, because this is also a form of birth control,” as Strachan puts it.
Via Plan B guidelines , if your period is more than a week late, then you should take a pregnancy test to make sure that Plan B was effective. If you experience lower abdominal pain three to five weeks after taking Plan B, seek medical attention, because that may be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. And as always, you can ask your doctor if you have any concerns.
How Long Do Plan B Side Effects Last? What To Expect
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