What are after sex contraceptives (last Chance contraceptives) -emergency contraceptives? Such contraceptive tablets or intra-Uterine devices are also termed as “Back-up contraceptives”, “secondary contraceptives “, “Second class contraceptives” or “morning after pills”. When such pills or devices are are to be used?

Classification of emergency contraceptive Pills & Brand names of such Pills.These types of pills are used in preventing pregnancy when standard contraceptives have failed (errors in contraceptive use and the error was detected by the couple during or soon after sex act). Additionally such emergency pregnancy prevention methods may be warranted when no contraceptives were used at all. These drugs or devices are collectively termed as are termed as Emergency contraception (Morning after Pill).

Which postcoital measure exhibit maximum efficacy in pregnancy prevention?  The best method in order of efficacy according to is Cu IUDs which ranks first followed by Ullipristal (Ella One) & least effective is combined oestrogen & progesterone Pills. In the middle there are mifepristone type of tablets and high dose progesterone only tablets. By “high dose progesterone Pills author  means  pills containg 150 mcg i.e. 1.5 mg -Levonorgestrel type progesterone which in the trade known as I-Pill, Pill-72, Unwanted-72, Nopreg, EC-2, .In UK such tablets are named as Norlevo. Ecee-2, Preventol, Norlevo, Nopreg, E-Pill (Govt. of India).

 Efficacy wise Cu IUDs are the best after sex contraceptives (so far prevention of pregnancy is concerned). Further, it i.e. Copper devices to be put in womb will offer onward protection for at least about  5-12 years depending on the type of device fitted.

A)There are now several types post coital contraceptives. In fact there are four types’ emergency contraceptive pills. 1) One product contains the hormones progestin only (1.5 mg Levonorgestrel tablets in the brand names of I-pill, Pill-72, EC-2,Nopreg, Unwanted-72),  2) the other one is mifepristone. 3)  The third type of emergency contraceptive Tablet is those containing estrogen and progestin are seldom used due its poor efficacy and side effects. Yuzpe regime is the regime for ingestion of such old type of pills the former (progesterone tablet) is most popular due to its minimal side effects and high efficacy. However there is rising popularity of 4) fourth type of pill prepared of Ullipristal under the brand name of Ella One (30 mg only one tablet to be taken) - which unfortunately is still not marketed in India. But, if you ask me which tablet is most effective –I shall vouch for Ullipristal.

-Dr. Srimanta Pal (contd...)