Opill, the first oral contraceptive pill to be available without a prescription in the U.S., is now available to buy.
The daily pill shipped to retailers nationwide in early March. It will be sold online starting today and in the family planning aisle of drugstores, convenience stores, and supermarkets later this month.
The drug itself has been around for decades, but manufacturers have been working nine years toward making it available over the counter. Here's what else to know about Opill.
What's in it?
Opill is a daily progestin-only pill, meaning there's no estrogen in it. That's why this kind of pill is sometimes called a mini-pill.
This isn't a new kind of birth control pill. The drug substance was originally approved for prescription use in 1973, according to the Food and Drug Administration. But this is the first birth control pill that has been approved for use without a prescription from a health care provider.
Is it safe? And does it work?
Yes. Like many other oral contraceptives, it's 98% effective at preventing pregnancy if taken correctly. It should start to work 48 hours after taking the first dose. Potential side effects include headaches, bloating and cramping.
The FDA convened its panel of outside experts to advise it on this approval back in May, and the panel voted unanimously in favor of approval.
They said that the labeling alone was enough for people to be able to use Opill correctly without a doctor's help.
Please contact us today if you need any assistance getting Opill
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