What Does a Morning-After Pill Look Like?

The morning-after pill, also known as emergency contraception, is a time-sensitive medication used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure. This medication serves as a backup method, offering a chance to avoid an unintended pregnancy. Available in various forms and appearances, understanding its visual characteristics and other identification factors is important for individuals seeking to use it.

Common Visual Characteristics

The most commonly encountered morning-after pills contain levonorgestrel, such as Plan B One-Step, Aftera, or Take Action. These pills typically present as small, round tablets. Their color is often white or off-white. Many of these tablets feature an imprint on one or both sides, which can include letters, numbers, or symbols, like “G00” found on Plan B One-Step and Aftera. This imprint aids in identification.

Most levonorgestrel-based emergency contraceptive pills are designed as a single-dose regimen, containing 1.5 milligrams of the active ingredient. Some generic versions or older formulations might come as a two-pill regimen, each containing 0.75 milligrams. Despite potential variations in dosage structure, the individual pills’ appearance generally remains consistent in shape, color, and size.

Variations Among Different Formulations

Not all morning-after pills share an identical appearance, due to differences in their active ingredients and manufacturing processes. For instance, ulipristal acetate, found in the brand Ella, differs from levonorgestrel-based pills. Ella tablets are typically white to off-white, round, and slightly curved, often with “ella” imprinted on both sides.

Generic versions of both levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate pills, while containing the same active ingredient as brand-name counterparts, might have subtle differences in color, shape, or imprints. Additionally, some less common or older emergency contraceptive regimens involved multiple pills taken over a period, and these individual pills could have varied appearances compared to the single-dose options widely available today.

Key Identification Factors Beyond the Pill Itself

While the pill’s physical appearance offers clues, the original packaging provides key information for identification. Morning-after pills typically come in small boxes or blister packs that display the product name and active ingredient. This packaging often includes branding and instructions, crucial for confirming the product’s identity and understanding its usage.

The method of acquisition also helps identify the pill, as some are available over-the-counter while others require a prescription. Levonorgestrel-based pills are generally accessible without a prescription. Ulipristal acetate (Ella) requires a prescription. A prescription label can therefore help confirm the pill’s type. Consulting a pharmacist or healthcare provider is recommended if there is any uncertainty about a pill’s identity, as taking an unknown medication can pose health risks.