An Overview of Uses for Next Choice
Next Choice® (levonorgestrel) is a "morning-after pill," an emergency contraceptive that is used to prevent pregnancy when used within 72 hours after unprotected sex. It is available by prescription for individuals younger than 17 years old or over-the-counter (OTC) for those 17 and older.
In some states, specially trained pharmacists may dispense Next Choice to all women, regardless of age, without a prescription.
After any one act of unprotected intercourse, the average woman has an 8 percent chance of getting pregnant. If she takes Next Choice, that risk is reduced to about 1 percent. However, Next Choice should not be used as your main form of birth control, as other methods are usually much more effective.
Next Choice is ideal for use in the case of contraceptive failure (when another form of birth control, such as condoms, fails) or to prevent pregnancy after sexual assault. It should not be used on a regular basis as a woman's primary form of birth control.
Next Choice contains a high dose of levonorgestrel, a progesterone-type of hormone that is used in many
birth control pills. It prevents pregnancy primarily by stopping ovulation (the maturation and release of eggs from the ovaries) or by preventing fertilization of the egg if ovulation has already occurred.
Next Choice also alters the lining of the uterus (the endometrium), making it less receptive to a fertilized egg. If a fertilized egg has already implanted into the uterus, Next Choice will not cause an abortion.
Next Choice should be taken as soon as possible within 72 hours (three days) after intercourse. The sooner you can take the drug, the more effective it is at preventing pregnancy.
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