plan b - Jezebel

posts about #planb more →
Plan B Moves To Plan B
FDA Approves Single-Dose Plan B
Recently-Divorced Guy Dates 50 Women To Find Ms. Right
Plan B Access Still Difficult For Some Women
Parents Freak Over U.K. Morning After Pill Commercial
Mike Galanos: Plan B Enables Teens "To Act Carelessly With An Easy Way Out"
Change Is In The Air And A Pharmacy Near You
Plan B's Advertising Pleases Us, Pisses Off Conservatives
What Brad Pitt, J. Lo, & Contraception Have In Common
Big Hair Is Sexy, Cigarettes Whiten Teeth, Not Having Cellulite Is Awesome

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another_uncreative_name
08/26/09

In reply to Plan B Moves To Plan B
I don't remember the exact price, but I believe that University health clinics provide Plan B at a reduced rate. There are a lot of students on here so I wanted to share this useful tidbit. its also a good opportunity to buy it to have around for those emergencies, especially since they often occur on the weekends when the campus pharmacy is closed.
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JerkoftheMonth
08/26/09

In reply to Plan B Moves To Plan B
I'd like to be more articulate about this, but my rage is blurring my thought process.

Only a medication aimed DIRECTLY at women would ever be considered dangerous, inappropriate, etc. like materials used to make meth. I can only imagine the plethora of medications available to men for preventing pregnancies if they were the baby-making machines. Oh, and while we're talking about baby-making machines, isn't is strange that nearly 100 years after women got the right to vote, they are still medically relegated to mere child-bearing receptacles with the combined effects of the resistance to abortion, contraceptive pill, plan b, and regular contraception and sexual education? "Nothing will get in the way of enforced pregnancy! Unwanted children are God's children."
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boobookitteh
08/26/09

@JerkoftheMonth: Oh absolutely. And the truly outrageous thing is that the FDA has no problem 'fast tracking' drugs to the market with minimal testing, only to have to pull them off the market when they stat killing people.

Side effects of plan B are a nuisance but hardly fatal.
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AuntieBee
08/26/09

@JerkoftheMonth: Right, a medication for women needs this kind of control. It's all very sensible, you see. It would so stupid to put an age restriction on something that is exclusively for men, like Viagra. Because then, what would the young studs without erectile dysfunction end up in the ER with heart palpitations from? You want them to work for that? How dare you?!?! They are MENZ and that is NOT FAIR.
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lalaland13
08/26/09

In reply to Plan B Moves To Plan B
I have no idea why anyone let people who declare that Plan B "starves a baby" have a say in who should and shouldn't be able to buy it. But I don't know why the Bush administration did many things.

"Let's stall it! That way we can punish a few more whores, because nothing is more precious than a human life, and we want unfit whores raising babies, y'all!"
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boobookitteh
08/26/09

@lalaland13: plan B 'starves babies'? I though cutting welfare and food stamps was what starved babies.
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Trulymadlyme
08/26/09

In reply to Plan B Moves To Plan B
I'm guessing Watson's pill is not much cheaper because they're enjoying the first ANDA filer status, which runs for a six months or so.

After that pretty much any generic can launch and prices will completely plummet. Also, if this is available OTC, a patient should just order it online and have a few doses available at home for an emergency. More often than not, you might be able to circumvent the age issue.

The people would suffer of course are those who are too poor to shop online or afraid of having this package delivered to their home.

That's why, more likely than not, this will be available OTC sans age requirement soon enough (when there is a literal bum rush by the other generics).
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Edited by Trulymadlyme at 08/26/09 1:37 PM Trulymadlyme was starred Trulymadlyme was unstarred

Lymed
08/26/09

@Trulymadlyme: I agree about the ANDA filer status. We can't blame the price issue on the FDA, that has to do with legislation around drug patents.

But I don't think the availability of generics will impact the age requirement. That was a political decision and it is going to take an administration that wants to make the change.
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Trulymadlyme
08/26/09

@Lymed: You're right about the age requirements. What I do find interesting is whether some company is going to push this from the drug manufacturer side (more so as a means of increasing sales than any sort of altruistic good).
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ihateyourescalade
08/26/09

In reply to Plan B Moves To Plan B
I've done Plan B before. As I remember it just involved taking a certain number of birth-control pills in a certain period of time. Ladies, please don't try this at home; I had to get the advice on how to do this correctly from my gyno. Also I'm not sure my memory is serving me correctly--maybe it wasn't just a mega-dose of normal BC pills. Does this seem right to y'all?
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CherriSpryte
08/26/09

@ihateyourescalade: I've heard that its possible to take a greater number of BC pills and it has the same effect as Plan B, but I'd reiterate your warning - different pills contain different hormones in different doses, so using the "Plan B" pill itself is safer. Also, my insurance at least only lets you get so much birth control at a time, so you don't want to take, say, the rest of the month, and then be out of pills. If you can get Plan B, use it.
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la.donna.pietra
08/26/09

@ihateyourescalade: You can get the same results from taking a certain number of regular levonorgestrol birth control pills in a certain timeframe*; this approach has been around for at least two decades. Your memory is spot-on.

*exact numbers redacted because I am not a medical professional
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AnatomyFightSong
08/26/09

@ihateyourescalade: Planned Parenthood's website has a chart that explains how to do this. The dosage depends on what BC pill you have. Not all of them can be taken this way.
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ReanimatedHorse
08/26/09

In reply to Plan B Moves To Plan B
Not to be a cad but I'd like to add that it's not just pro-choice advocates who want people to see the difference between Plan B and abortion. I know plenty of people who are against legalizing abortion and are still opposed to general ignorance.
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HeatherNumber1 promoted this comment Edited by ReanimatedHorse at 08/26/09 1:29 PM ReanimatedHorse was starred ReanimatedHorse was unstarred

Pizza!Pizza!Pizza!
08/26/09

@ReanimatedHorse: I know you're right, but I wish they'd speak up more when people go on about it being 'an abortion pill.'
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CurtCole
08/26/09

In reply to Plan B Moves To Plan B
Why is it so hard to get? Are they afraid teenagers might enjoy free basing postcoital contraception?
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NefariousNewt
08/26/09

@CurtCole: That would be Plan Ecs.
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Zombie Ms. Skittles
08/26/09

@CurtCole: They're afraid the teenagers will have ZOMG unprotected sex if they can just pop a $45 pill afterward.
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ihateyourescalade
08/26/09

@CurtCole: Also, it is not pleasant--makes a gal nauseated. Not fun.
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CurtCole
08/26/09

@Zombie Ms. Skittles: Teenagers must get really good allowances these days. I always had depend upon the kindness of Planned Parenthood for contraception. Three cheers for free condoms! (Of course, I had to cross a faux aborted fetus cemetery that some christian group put up to get to it.)
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Edited by CurtCole at 08/26/09 1:37 PM CurtCole was starred CurtCole was unstarred

greengrey
08/26/09

@CurtCole: Dude, I totally snorted yaz the other day.
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greengrey
08/26/09

@CurtCole: faux aborted fetus cemetery
Hahahaha! Was it haunted by faux fetus ghosts!? That'd make my day!
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CurtCole
08/26/09

@greengrey: Does that mean I'm cool for using old Nuva Rings as bread ties when I lose those twisty wire ones that come with the loaf?
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greengrey
08/26/09

@CurtCole: No, you're supposed to make jewelry out of old nuva rings.
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CurtCole
08/26/09

@greengrey: There would be a certain amount of irony if it were later used as a cock ring, no?
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Ms. Take
08/26/09

In reply to Plan B Moves To Plan B
at my job (i work for a state legislature) i've been trying to find a way to make otc plan b less expensive, be it through a state-funded program or something of that nature.

it has been extremely difficult to even get started in that direction. there have been so many road blocks just researching the possibilities.
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BrutallyHonestBabes (aka Mrs. Sarah.of.a.Lesser.Hobbit) promoted this comment Ms. Take was starred Ms. Take was unstarred

BrutallyHonestBabes (aka Mrs. Sarah.of.a.Lesser.Hobbit)
08/26/09

@Ms. Take: Thank you for trying!
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PinkSoxHat
08/26/09

In reply to Plan B Moves To Plan B
Please ladies, especially those who live in rural areas where access is limited: get thee to a pharmacy, get some Plan B, and keep it around in case you or a friend ever need it. Don't wait until you actually need it and have to face Pharmacist Judgy-pants while you're completely stressed.
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SarahHeartburn
08/26/09

@PinkSoxHat: Was just gonna say. Keep a few doses around and let people know. What a shame in this day and age we have to Underground Railroad it.
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greengrey
08/26/09

@PinkSoxHat: Yes. I think EVERY WOMAN should buy it just to keep around, if she needs it, if a friend needs it, whatever. Also, would the whole "voting with your dollar" thing work in this case? If loads of women start to buy it (which I know, yeah, it's a bit expensive), would that send a message?
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cait98
08/26/09

@PinkSoxHat: Does anyone know how long it lasts before it expires? I've used it once before, but I just bought it when I needed it. I live in a metropolitan city so it's pretty available and I got like a surprised pharmacist face, but no biggie.

Makes sense to have on hand, but maybe not if I'm not going to use it in time?
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LaFemme
08/26/09

@cait98: I said this below.... I think it is like 7 years. Around that. Long enough that expiration is unlikely to be an issue.
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Edited by LaFemme at 08/26/09 2:26 PM LaFemme was starred LaFemme was unstarred

Pizza!Pizza!Pizza!
08/26/09

@PinkSoxHat: Just a tip – you may have to pretend you need it immediately. Saying you're saving it for later or getting it for a friend may keep them from prescribing it. Either way, you're probably in a for a bit of shame for the day!
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LaFemme
08/26/09

In reply to Plan B Moves To Plan B
I have said this before here but it is worth repeating: just drugstore.com one of these in case you end up needing it. And you won't have any problems with the age limit if you are under 18.
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LaFemme
08/26/09

@LaFemme: I will add that it is good for something like 7 years so you will probably use it in that time period, or know someone who needs it.
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NefariousNewt
08/26/09

@LaFemme: An d probably good after that. Studies show drugs rarely decay in potency too much immediately after the expiration date, assuming you store them in the proper conditions.
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sabor de soledad
07/13/09

In reply to FDA Approves Single-Dose Plan B
I just wanted to post this because I think this misconception is still widespread. You do not need to be a female to purchase Plan B. Men over 18 can purchase Plan B over the counter too! Go to The FDA Web site and look at Question 7B.

I'm sure there are some 16-year-olds with 18-year-old partners that may find themselves in need of Plan B. They can just print that page out and show it to the pharmacist if he/she tries to argue that men aren't allowed to purchase it.
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Edited by sabor de soledad at 07/13/09 2:29 PM sabor de soledad was starred sabor de soledad was unstarred

scarletwine
07/13/09

In reply to FDA Approves Single-Dose Plan B
I've taken both the one and two-dose versions, and had the incredible nausea from both about equally.

BC-related nausea is so strange-- I get queasy a lot but BC is the only thing that makes me run to the toilet with numerous vomit-false-alarms. If I didn't know better, I'd swear the Plan B side effects are an extra punishment for not being careful enough. I'm glad it exists, but knowing how sick I get makes me even more protection-paranoid
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Edited by scarletwine at 07/13/09 1:54 PM scarletwine was starred scarletwine was unstarred

cait98
07/13/09

@scarletwine: You know, I always hear about how awful the side-effects are. I took Plan B once and just want to put it out there that I had virtually no side effects. I respond well to BC too so perhaps that's why.

Ha, not bragging, just saying it to remind women side effects vary! Don't be afraid to take it because it might make you sick! It might, but it might not.
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Edited by cait98 at 07/13/09 2:43 PM cait98 was starred cait98 was unstarred

sshayne
07/13/09

In reply to FDA Approves Single-Dose Plan B
I'd certainly choose some nausea over risking a pregnancy I wasn't ready for!
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Pizza!Pizza!Pizza!
07/13/09

In reply to FDA Approves Single-Dose Plan B
One pill instead of two. Great. But can we still count on the third degree from the pharmacist?
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Zombie Ms. Skittles
07/13/09

@HeatherNumber1: You know, I really think somebody should put together a nice interactive map of all the pharmacies that people have bought Plan B at and their experiences. I have a few places I've gone to that were quite professional about it and others that were iffy and it sounds like so have most people.
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cait98
07/13/09

In reply to FDA Approves Single-Dose Plan B
Exciting! But why isn't it OTC for all ages too? I suppose because taking it in one dose is more hormones at once?

Frustrating because I feel like younger women, who may need the protection more, are exactly the ones who may be less likely to see a doctor or less likely remember to take the two pills at the appropriate times.
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Lymed
07/13/09

@cait98: Since this is an FDA decision, the FDA must have determined that there is a greater risk associated with Plan B than with other OTC drugs. Granted, the risk could be the consequences of unprotected sex (STDs) rather than a side effect and a fear that younger teenagers may not have the reasoning skills.
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Margaret
07/13/09

@cait98: That's what's so great about the age requirement. I don't think it has anything to do with teens' health, we just need to make sure girls won't be taking care of their own bodies behind their parents' backs.
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Edited by Margaret at 07/13/09 1:58 PM Margaret was starred Margaret was unstarred

AtomiClash: humanitarian misanthrope
07/13/09

@cait98: I recently needed Plan B and asked the pharmacist why it isn't readily available for women under 17. He simply said it was a fear that younger women/girls would use it as their only method of birth control, which actually reduces its effectiveness. Seemed somewhat reasonable to me, but at the same time, PP offers regular BC easily.
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cait98
07/13/09

@AtomiClash: humanitarian misanthrope: Wait, ALL Plan B not available OTC for women under age 17? Oh, I should have known that, but got confused because I thought the article was saying this is a special requirement of the one-dose pill.

Well, I guess at least the age requirement is consistent...
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morninggloria
07/13/09

@cait98: If it were over the counter for all ages, the next thing you know, six year olds are taking it just to get high.
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