From physician’s appointments to prescriptions to price boundaries, getting dependable, efficient contraception hasn’t all the time been a straightforward course of. However all that’s altering in the present day, as Opill—the primary over-the-counter (OTC) contraception tablet—begins hitting cabinets at shops throughout the nation.
The tablet is without doubt one of the hottest types of contraception and has been utilized by hundreds of thousands of individuals for over 60 years, because the Meals & Drug Administration (FDA) first permitted oral contraception in 1960. Final yr, in a momentous transfer, the FDA permitted Opill as the primary contraception tablet to be used and not using a prescription.
This marked a historic development in entry to contraception, permitting extra individuals to take management of their reproductive and sexual well being.
Because the colourful containers change into broadly obtainable each in shops and on-line, it’s necessary to know how Opill works, who can use it, the place to search out it, and what to anticipate once you take it. Let’s dive into the highest seven issues it’s good to know earlier than you decide up Opill.
1. Opill is a “mini tablet”
Opill is a every day progestin-only contraception tablet that forestalls being pregnant primarily by thickening cervical mucus, making it tougher for the sperm and egg to fulfill.It really works a bit in a different way from mixed hormonal contraception drugs that comprise each progestin and estrogen, which additionally sometimes cease ovulation altogether.
Progestin-only drugs, additionally known as the mini tablet, must be taken on the similar time each day to be efficient at stopping being pregnant.
2. It’s secure for many individuals, however it’s not proper for everybody
Opill, like different progestin-only drugs, is a secure and efficient contraception tablet that may be taken by most individuals who can get pregnant. When used as directed, Opill is 98 p.c efficient at stopping being pregnant (only a tad lower than mixed hormonal contraception drugs).
You shouldn’t use Opill or every other model of mini tablet in case you at present have breast most cancers. Likewise, discuss to your well being care supplier earlier than utilizing the mini tablet if in case you have any of the next:
- A historical past of most cancers
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Liver illness or a liver tumor
- A historical past of bariatric surgical procedure
- Lupus
Additionally discuss to your supplier about whether or not the mini-pill is secure for you in case you’re taking anticonvulsant medicine, like seizure drugs.
3. You should buy it in shops or on-line
By mid-April, Opill will likely be on retailer cabinets in any respect main retailers, together with drug shops, pharmacies, and comfort shops throughout the U.S. and its territories. You’ll not want a prescription to get Opill, that means you should buy it identical to you’ll a bottle of Tylenol or tube of sunscreen. Nonetheless, some shops and retailers might select to lock up Opill, that means you will have to speak to somebody who works there to have it unlocked.
Moreover, you may order Opill on-line from most main retailers in addition to straight from the maker, pharmaceutical firm Perrigo.
4. The fee would possibly differ relying on the place you purchase it
The steered retail worth of Opill is $19.99 for a one-month provide, $49.99 ($16.66/month) for a three-month provide, and $89.99 ($14.99/month) for a six-month provide (this latter choice will likely be obtainable on-line solely). Nonetheless, it will likely be as much as particular person retailers to set their worth, which can differ throughout shops and places.
For individuals who need assistance affording the tablet, Opill.com could have a price help program obtainable quickly.
5. You’ll be able to simply swap Opill in your present technique of contraception
That’s proper—you may swap from one other technique of contraception (hormonal or not) to Opill instantly. You could have to make use of a backup technique of contraception (like condoms) for a pair days, although, relying on which technique you’re utilizing proper now and the way constant you’ve been.
When you’re at present utilizing a hormonal technique (for instance, different manufacturers of contraception drugs) and have been constantly utilizing that technique, you can begin taking Opill the day you get it and cease taking your previous tablet. When you’re switching from a mixture tablet to Opill, you’ll need to ensure you swap throughout your lively weeks, not your placebo week. When you swap throughout your placebo week, you’ll have to make use of a backup technique for 48 hours after beginning Opill.
When you’re on a nonhormonal technique of contraception, haven’t been utilizing your hormonal technique constantly, or are at present not on any contraception, you’ll want to make use of a backup technique of contraception for 48 hours after beginning Opill.
6. You may need uncomfortable side effects
Similar to different manufacturers of the mini tablet, some individuals might expertise uncomfortable side effects on Opill. These might embrace bleeding adjustments, sore breasts, nausea, pimples, or a change in your intercourse drive.
Opill is a four-week lively tablet pack, so you’ll not have a withdrawal bleed through the placebo week, like with the mixture tablet. You could have intermittent recognizing, although, which is regular.
7. Consistency is essential
It’s necessary to take Opill on the similar time each day or inside a three-hour window of that point for it to be efficient at stopping being pregnant. So, say you’re taking your tablet at 8 a.m. each day; if the following day you’re taking it after 11 a.m., you’ll have to make use of a backup contraception technique for 48 hours (whereas persevering with to take Opill as directed).
In different phrases, if you’re three or extra hours late in your tablet or miss a tablet at any time, use a backup technique like a condom if in case you have intercourse within the subsequent two days.
The takeaway
Opill is step one in bridging the hole in individuals’s entry to contraception and their potential to take management of their reproductive well being journey.
However whereas it’s a complete game-changer that contraception drugs at the moment are obtainable OTC, Opill may not be proper for everybody. For most individuals, contraception is a journey, and nobody technique goes to work for everybody on a regular basis. Individuals typically undergo a number of strategies over the course of their life, and having information about and entry to many strategies is essential to discovering a contraception technique you’re keen on.
When you’ve got any questions on Opill or aren’t positive if it’s best for you, discuss to your OB/GYN or major care supplier.
Raegan McDonald-Mosley, MD, MPH, is a board-certified OB/GYN and the CEO of Energy to Resolve, a company with a mission to advance sexual and reproductive well-being for all.
