Emergency Contraceptive Pill News: The i-Pill Is Now Nextime

UPDATE: Looks like the i-Pill is back. So, the i-Pill and Nextime are the same drug, a one-pill 1.5 mg levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive pill, different brand names. Links for both the i-Pill and Nextime now go to their respective Amazon pages. See which one is available, buy it ahead of time, and keep it handy.

The one-pill emergency contraceptive brand i-Pill has a new name: Nextime

The Paras company acquired the i-Pill from Cipla and thought it a good idea to change the brand name. To one similar to another emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) brand already on the market. Brilliant, no? But I digress.

So, Nextime is a one-pill, 1.5 mg levonorgestrel (LNG, a progestin) emergency contraceptive pill. You take it as soon as possible after the act of unprotected intercourse, up to 5 days. The sooner you take Nextime, the more effective it is.

Both the i-Pill and Nextime are available on Amazon for $19.98.

Nextime should not be confused with Next Choice.

Next Choice is a two-pill, 0.75 mg LNG per pill, brand. (Next Choice is the generic for the now discontinued Plan B.) The regimen for Next Choice is the same--take *both pills* at the same time (disregard the label instructions) as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, up to 5 days. The sooner you take Next Choice, the more effective it is.

Next Choice is also available on Amazon for $52.75.

You should also be able to find Next Choice in pharmacies (behind-the-counter for women and men 17 and older; with a prescription for those <17 yo). Best to call ahead and make sure your local pharmacy has it in stock and to inquire about the price.

To recap, the dedicated ECP brands are:

One-Pill, LNG

Plan B One-Step

i-Pill / Nextime

Two-pill, LNG

Next Choice

One-Pill, UA (ulipristal acetate)

Ella