Levonorgestrel Oral Tablets (Emergency Contraception) Shortage

• • Afaxys Pharma has levonorgestrel tablets available.
  • Lupin has levonorgestrel available.
  • Rugby has levonorgestrel tablets available.
  • Syzygy Healthcare Solutions has levonorgestrel tablets available.
  • Additional over-the-counter levonorgestrel oral tablets (emergency contraception) may be available from store brands. These companies do not provide availability information.

• • Aftera tablet, Foundation Consumer Healthcare, 1.5 mg, 1 count, NDC 69536-0103-88
  • Afterpill tablet, Syzygy Healthcare Solutions, 1.5 mg, 1 count, NDC 64122-0605-01
  • Econtra One-Step tablet, Afaxys Pharma, 1.5 mg, 3 count, NDC 50102-0211-13
  • Fallback Solo tablet, Lupin, 1.5 mg, 1 count, NDC 68180-0853-11
  • My Way tablet, Lupin, 1.5 mg, 1 count, NDC 68180-0852-11
  • Option 2 tablet, Perrigo, 1.5 mg, 1 count, NDC 00113-2003-12
  • Plan B One-Step tablet, Foundation Consumer Healthcare, 1.5 mg, 1 count, NDC 69536-0146-19
  • Take Action tablet, Foundation Consumer Healthcare, 1.5 mg, 1 count, NDC 69536-0200-88
  • Levonorgestrel tablet, Rugby Laboratories, 1.5 mg, 1 count, NDC 00536-1142-63
  • Levonorgestrel tablet, Xiromed, 1.5 mg, 1 count, NDC 70700-0164-06

Alternative Agents & Management

• • Alternatives to Levonorgestrel for Emergency Contraception1-4
  • Ulipristal (Ella) - prescription only
  • 1. Oral progestin receptor modulator labeled for emergency contraception.
  • 2. Take 30 mg as soon as possible, but within 5 days of unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure.
  • Ethinyl Estradiol and levonorgestrel combined oral contraceptive pill (off-label use)
  • 1. Safe and effective alternative method for the management of emergency contraception when other methods are not available.
  • 2. Increased adverse effects and decreased efficacy compared with other methods.
  • 3. Take 1 dose followed by a second dose 12 hours later. Begin treatment as soon as possible, but within 5 days of unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure.
  • 4. Each dose should contain a minimum of ethinyl estradiol 100 mcg (0.1 mg) and levonorgestrel 0.5 mg (eg, 5 tablets containing ethinyl estradiol 0.02 mg and levonorgestrel 0.1 mg once followed by an additional 5 tablets 12 hours later or 4 tablets containing ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg and levonorgestrel 0.15 once followed by an additional 4 tablets 12 hours later).
  • Copper IUD (off-label use) - prescription only
  • 1. Insert within 5 days of unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure. May also be inserted beyond 5 days of unprotected intercourse as long as insertion does not occur more than 5 days after ovulation.

References

• 1. Curtis KM, Tepper NK, Jatlaoui TC, et al. US medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use, 2016. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2016b;65(3):1Â103.
  2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Practice bulletin no. 152: emergency contraception. Obstet Gynecol. 2015;126(3):e1-e11.
  3. Upadhya KK; Committee on Adolescence. Emergency contraception. Pediatrics. 2019;144(6):e20193149.
  4. Lexicomp Online: Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc; 2019.