Survivors Are
Never at Fault
After sexual assault or rape, it’s important to remember that you are not at fault. You may be feeling overwhelmed, angry, scared, or confused. These emotions are not always easy to deal with, and you’re encouraged to take all the time you need to process your feelings. However, there are some immediate steps that you might want to consider, including taking emergency contraception.
What Is Emergency Contraception?
Preventing pregnancy
- Emergency contraception, sometimes called the morning-after pill, is a safe and effective way to help prevent pregnancy after sexual assault or rape 1,2
- Emergency contraception is intended to be taken as soon as possible to prevent pregnancy 3
Emergency contraception is different from regular birth control pills 3
- No method of birth control is 100% effective, so even if you’re on prescription birth control, you may need emergency contraception 4
Emergency contraception is not an “abortion pill” 2
- Emergency contraception pills will not end an existing pregnancy 2,3
- Emergency contraception helps prevent pregnancy before it happens 2,3
EContra One-Step® May Be Able to Help
EContra One-Step is an over-the-counter emergency contraception pill that can help reduce your chances of getting pregnant 1,3
EContra One-Step contains a higher dose of levonorgestrel than birth control pills, but works in a similar way to prevent pregnancy. With a single pill, EContra One-Step may delay or stop your ovary from releasing an egg (called “ovulation”).
The sooner you take EContra One-Step, the better it works 3
- Take EContra One-Step as soon as possible, but no later than 72 hours (3 days) after sexual assault or rape 3
- If EContra One-Step is taken as directed, it can significantly decrease the chance of pregnancy 3
- About 7 out of every 8 women who would have gotten pregnant will not become pregnant 3
What if I’m already pregnant?
- EContra One-Step will not work if you are already pregnant and will not affect an existing pregnancy 3
FAQs
Take EContra One-Step as soon as you can, but no later than 3 days after sexual assault or rape. The sooner you take it, the better it will work.
What you might feel
Some (but not all) of the side effects of EContra One-Step are:
- Changes in your period
- Nausea
- Lower stomach (abdominal) pain
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Breast tenderness
- Vomiting
How will I know EContra One-Step worked?
- You will know EContra One-Step has been effective when you get your next period. If you haven’t gotten your period more than 1 week after the date you expected it, you may be pregnant. Take a pregnancy test and follow up with your healthcare provider.
Tell your doctor if:
- You experience any side effects that bother you or don’t go away
- You throw up for any reason within 2 hours of taking EContra One-Step. You may need another dose
- You are taking efavirenz (an HIV medication) or rifampin (a tuberculosis treatment) or medication for seizures (epilepsy). These medications may reduce the effectiveness of EContra One-Step. Your doctor may prescribe another form of emergency contraception
EContra One-Step should NOT be used:
- If you are already pregnant, because it will not work
- If you are allergic to levonorgestrel or any other ingredients in EContra One-Step
How EContra One-Step works:
- EContra One-Step contains levonorgestrel, a hormone that has been used in many birth control pills for several decades
- EContra One-Step contains a higher dose of levonorgestrel than birth control pills, but works in a similar way to prevent pregnancy
- EContra One-Step works mainly by stopping your ovary from releasing an egg (called “ovulation”)
Where can I get EContra One-Step:
- Clinics
- College and University Student Health Centers
- Community Health Centers
- Emergency Rooms
- Family Planning Clinics
- Planned Parenthood
- In addition, EContra One-Step can be found throughout telehealth and mail order services. You can order EContra One-Step right to your door!
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
rainn.org
800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673)
National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)
trynova.org/help-for-crime-victims
800-TRY-NOVA (800-879-6682)
U.S. Department of Justice: National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW)
nsopw.gov/SafetyAndEducation
800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673)
Safe Horizon
safehorizon.org/get-help/rape-and-sexual-assault
800-621-HOPE (800-621-4673)
If you wish to report sexual assault or rape, contact your local police department. If you are on a college campus, you may also be able to contact campus-based law enforcement.
Resources
EContra One-Step Patient Information
Please review the full Prescribing Information and Patient Information here.
What is EContra One-Step?
EContra One-Step is emergency contraception that helps prevent pregnancy after regular birth control failure or unprotected sex. It is a backup method of preventing pregnancy and should not be used as regular birth control.
What EContra One-Step is not:
EContra One-Step will not work if you are already pregnant and will not affect an existing pregnancy.
When should I use EContra One-Step?
The sooner you take emergency contraception, the better it works. You should use EContra One-Step within 72 hours (3 days) after you have had unprotected sex.
EContra One-Step is a backup or emergency method of birth control you can use when your regular birth control was used incorrectly or failed, or when you did not use any birth control method.
When should I not use EContra One-Step?
EContra One-Step should not be used as a regular birth control method, because it’s not as effective as regular birth control. EContra One-Step should not be used if you are already pregnant, because it will not work. EContra One-Step should not be used if you are allergic to levonorgestrel or any other ingredients in EContra One-Step.
What else should I know about taking EContra One-Step?
Ask a healthcare provider or pharmacist before using EContra One-Step if you are taking efavirenz (HIV medication), rifampin (tuberculosis treatment), or medication for seizures (epilepsy). These medications may reduce the effectiveness of EContra One-Step and increase your chance of becoming pregnant. Your healthcare provider may prescribe another form of emergency contraception that may not be affected by these medications.
What are possible side effects of EContra One-Step?
Commonly reported adverse reactions include period changes, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, tiredness, headache, dizziness, and breast pain. Contact your healthcare provider if you have severe abdominal pain.
EContra One-Step will not protect you from HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
You can report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, by calling 1-855-888-2467 or reporting via the FDA MedWatch Program at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
