Empowered Choice™ FAQ's
Some Common Questions & Answers
Q: What is Empowered Choice™?
A: Empowered Choice™ is an emergency contraception that helps prevent pregnancy after birth control failure or unprotected sex. It is a backup method of preventing pregnancy and should not be used as regular birth control.
Q: What is Empowered Choice™ is not.
A: Empowered Choice™ will not work if you are already pregnant and will not affect an existing pregnancy. Empowered Choice™ will not protect you from HIV infection (the virus that causes AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Q: When should I use Empowered Choice™?
A: The sooner you take emergency contraception, the better it works. You should use Empowered Choice™ within 72 hours (3 days) after you have had unprotected sex.
Q: When not to use Empowered Choice™?
Empowered Choice™ should not be used:
- As a regular birth control method, because it’s not as effective as regular birth control.
- If you are already pregnant, because it will not work.
- If you are allergic to levongestrel or any other ingredients in Empowered Choice™.
Q: When should I talk to a doctor or pharmacist?
A: Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking efavirenz (HIV medication) or rifampin (tuberculosis treatment) or medication for seizures (epilepsy). These medications may reduce the effectiveness of Empowered Choice™ and increase your chance of becoming pregnant. Your doctor may prescribe another form of emergency contraception that may not be affected by these medications.
Q: How does Empowered Choice™ work?
A: Empowered Choice™ is one tablet with levonorgestrel, a hormone that has been used in many birth control pills for several decades. Empowered Choice™ contains a higher dose of levonorgestrel than birth control pills, but works in a similar way to prevent pregnancy. It works mainly by stopping the release of an egg from the ovary. It is possible that Empowered Choice™ may also work by preventing fertilization of an egg (the uniting of sperm with the egg) or by preventing attachment (implantation) to the uterus (womb).
Q: How can I get the best results from Empowered Choice™?
A: You have 72 hours (3 days) to try to prevent pregnancy after birth control failure or unprotected sex. The sooner you take Empowered Choice™, the better it works.
Q: How effective is Empowered Choice™?
A: If Empowered Choice™ is taken as directed, it can significantly decrease the chance that you will get pregnant. About 7 out of every 8 women who would have gotten pregnant will not become pregnant.
Q: How will I know Empowered Choice™ worked?
A: You will know Empowered Choice™ has been effective when you get your next period, which should come at the expected time, or within a week of the expected time. If your period is delayed beyond 1 week, it is possible you may be pregnant. You should get a pregnancy test and follow up with your healthcare professional.
Q: Will I experience any side effects?
- Some women may have changes in their period, such as a period that is heavier or lighter or a period
that is early or late. If your period is more than a week late, you may be pregnant. - If you have severe abdominal pain, you may have an ectopic pregnancy, and should get immediate medical attention.
- When used as directed, Empowered Choice™ is safe and effective. Side effects may include changes in your period, nausea, lower stomach (abdominal) pain, tiredness, headache, dizziness, and breast tenderness.
- If you vomit within 2 hours of taking the medication, call a healthcare professional to find out if you should repeat the dose.
Q: What if I still have questions about Empowered Choice™?
A: If you have questions or need more information, call our toll-free number, 1-800-397-0670.