Yuzpe Regimen
The Yuzpe Regimen is a method of emergency contraception that is named for Canadian Professor A. Albert Yuzpe who published the first studies demonstrating the method's safety and efficacy in 1974. This regimen allows a woman who has had unprotected sex to avoid pregnancy by taking two doses of estrogen and certain progestin hormones. These hormones are usually administered in the form of high doses of regular oral contraceptive pills, or in the form of specifically designed "Emergency contraceptive pills", commonly known as "Morning-after pills". The doses are usually taken 12 hours apart (new studies have suggested they can be taken at the same time) and can vary from 1 to 20 pills per dose depending on the brand of medication being used. The Yuzpe Regimen Does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. DO NOT ENGAGE IN THE YUZPE REGIMEN WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING YOUR DOCTOR.
"Off Label" Use of Contraceptive Pills. Many common oral contraceptive pills can be used as ECPs (Emergency Contraceptive Pills), although their manufacturers do not label the pills for this use. “Off-label” use of approved medications is legal and commonplace in American medicine. Further, in February 1997, the United States Food and Drug Administration declared ECP use of birth control pills, following the Yuzpe regimen, to be safe and effective. Some reactions include Nausea and/or vomintingBreast tendernessIrregular BleedingHeadache or Dizziness To prevent nausea or vomiting Take the pills with food. Take Drammamine or Bonine an hour before taking the pills. Schedule your doses so that you take the second dose before bed. If you have ANY problems consult your doctor immediately.
Oral contraceptives that can be used for ECPs in the United States
| Brand | Company | Pills Per Dose |
| Plan-B* | Barr | 1 White Pill |
| Ovral | Wyeth-Ayerst | 2 White Pills |
| Ogestrel | Watson | 2 White Pills |
| Cryselle | Barr | 4 White Pills |
| Levora | Watson | 4 White Pills |
| Lo/Ovral | Wyeth-Ayerst | 4 White Pills |
| Low-Ogestrel | Watson | 4 White Pills |
| Levlen | Berlex | 4 Light-Orange Pills |
| Nordette | Wyeth-Ayerst | 4 Light-Orange Pills |
| Portia | Barr | 4 Pink Pills |
| Seasonale | Barr | 4 Pink Pills |
| Trivora | Watson | 4 Pink Pills |
| Tri-Levlen | Berlex | 4 Yellow Pills |
| Triphasil | Wyeth-Ayerst | 4 Yellow Pills |
| Enpresse | Barr | 4 Orange Pills |
| Alesse | Wyeth-Ayerst | 5 Pink Pills |
| Lessina | Barr | 5 Pink Pills |
| Levlite | Berlex | 5 Pink Pill |
| Aviane | Barr | 5 Orange Pill |
| Ovrette | Wyeth-Ayerst | 20 Yellow Pills |
Plan-B is the only dedicated product specifically marketed for emergency contraception in the United States.* Preven, a combined hormone ECP, is no longer available on the US market.
External Links / Sources All information regarding pill brands and dosage was provided by not-2-late.comGeneral information on the Yuzpe Regimen was provided by plannedparenthood.org
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