What is Plan C? Your Plan C Pill Questions, Answered.

With so many different names for similar medications, you want to be sure you’re getting the best information on Plan C. Read our quick guide below for everything you need to know.

Looking into birth control options? Currently pregnant?

When you start researching reproductive health care, you might find the term “Plan C” pills. It sounds similar to “Plan B”, right?

So what do each of these pills actually do, and how do they differ?

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Note: The information on this website is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Is Plan C Birth Control?

First, “Plan C”, as it’s sometimes called, is NOT birth control.

Plan C pills are the same thing as abortion pills.

You might also hear the term “Missed Period Pills” or “Period Pills”. These are ALL the same thing as the abortion pill regimen.

The makers and distributors use the different terms to describe the same exact medication.

Sometimes medications or procedures that are controversial get nicknamed in order to make them sound less risky, or that taking them is not a big deal.

Note: abortion laws are continually changing, and abortion pills (Plan C pills) are illegal in some states.

The Difference Between Plan B and Plan C Pills

Plan B pills are considered “emergency contraception.” Meaning, they are meant to prevent pregnancy right after having sex.

Emergency contraceptives (EC’s) include copper IUDs, and several medications including Plan B One Step, Take Action, Ella, and others.

EC’s may possibly prevent pregnancy if taken between 24 hours and 5 days after intercourse, depending on which pills are taken. They are said to be most effective if taken within 24 hours though.

You can read more about emergency contraceptives in our post “How Effective are Emergency Contraceptives? (and other FAQs)“.

Plan C, abortion pills, act differently than emergency contraception pills, and are meant to end a pregnancy.

Textured graphic with text "Plan C pills equals abortion pills"

So how does Plan C work, if it’s not an emergency contraceptive?

Plan C works the exact same way as the abortion pill regimen, as they are the same thing.

If you take abortion pills, they will prevent the embryo (baby) from continuing to grow and, about 92-99% of the time, will end an early pregnancy.

Abortion pills are only approved by the FDA for up to 10 weeks after you became pregnant.

What happens after you take Plan C Pills? How will you feel?

You may expect heavy bleeding, passing blood clots and cramping during this process as you eventually pass the embryo or fetus.

Nausea, headache, vomiting and diarrhea are also common side effects.

Abortion pills that are usually prescribed include two medications:

mifepristone taken first to block progesterone, starving the embryo of nutrients
misoprostol, taken next to cause you to cramp and expel the embryo or fetus.

*By the way: Some women change their mind right after taking mifepristone, the first drug. If this happens, you may still be able to save your pregnancy. Contact the Abortion Pill Reversal Network immediately.

Before Taking Plan C Pills (Important)

The biggest red flag for safety is not having an ultrasound before taking abortion pills or “Plan C” pills.

First: an ultrasound can rule out a life-threatening condition called ectopic pregnancy.

Taking abortion pills won’t take care of an ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening and requires medical treatment.

When you have an ultrasound, you can make sure your pregnancy is in the uterus and that it is viable (meaning, you aren’t miscarrying naturally already, which happens in up to 25% of pregnancies).

An ultrasound can also help determine whether you are carrying multiples (twins, etc.).

And since mifepristone is only approved by the FDA for up to 10 weeks, you need to know how far along you are before you take it.

Chat with the nurse on this screen to schedule your free ultrasound or find a pregnancy center near you.

Textured graphic with text "Not having an ultrasound before taking abortion pills puts your health at risk.

Concerning symptoms to watch for with Plan C (abortion pills)

You might still be wondering, overall, are Plan C pills safe for women?

One recent study found that some of the most frequently listed complications women experienced were unexpected levels of bleeding and pain.

The Mayo Clinic lists symptoms you should seek immediate medical attention for (or head to the ER):

Fever, chills or body aches, which could indicate a pelvic infection
Extreme stomach or pelvic pain
Fast heart rate
Heavy and prolonged bleeding: soaking 2 or more pads an hour for two hours in a row
Foul-smelling vaginal discharge

Occasionally, medication abortion is incomplete (where not all of the embryo or fetus was expelled), which may require a surgery or other medical intervention.

A reminder: too much bleeding (hemorrhaging) can be life-threatening. Please don’t ignore these symptoms – get medical care right away. Make sure they know what pills you have taken so you can get proper treatment.