The United States Medicines Administration recently gave the go-ahead for the over-the-counter contraceptive pill Opill.
- On July 13, the FDA authorized the sale of an Opill pill without a prescription.
- Patients will be able to obtain this method of contraception in pharmacies, convenience stores, grocery stores and online.
- The health authority took this decision to avoid unwanted pregnancies as much as possible.
On July 13, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the over-the-counter sale of a contraceptive pill in a context of restriction of the right to abortion. In the United States, therefore, it will soon be possible to obtain norgestrel, marketed under the brand name Opill, without a prescription in pharmacies, convenience stores and grocery stores, as well as online. In a statementthe health authority explained that the availability time and price of this over-the-counter pill is determined by the manufacturer. “Other approved formulations and strengths of other oral contraceptives will remain available by prescription only.”
An over-the-counter pill to prevent unwanted pregnancies
“This clearance marks the first time that an over-the-counter daily oral contraceptive will be an available option for millions of people in the United States,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. By taking this decision, the American Medicines Agency intends to reduce inequalities in access to contraception by allowing patients to obtain one without having to first consult a health professional.
“Nearly half of the 6.1 million pregnancies recorded each year in the United States are unintended. These have been associated with negative maternal and perinatal outcomes, including a reduced likelihood of receiving early prenatal care and an increased risk of preterm birth, with adverse neonatal, developmental and health outcomes for the child”, specified the health authority.
Contraception: a “safe” and “effective” pill to take every day at the same time
Patrizia Cavazzoni specified that the Opill pill was “safe and should be more effective than currently available over-the-counter contraceptive methods” if taken correctly, i.e. only according to the instructions on the labeling of the medicine. This means of contraception, whose effectiveness had been proven during the initial authorization of prescription in 1973, must be taken every day at the same time. “Use of drugs that interact with the Opill pill may lead to a reduction in its effectiveness or of the other treatment, or both, which may lead to an unwanted pregnancy”the FDA reported.
According to the agency, the most common side effects of this method of contraception are irregular bleeding, headache, dizziness, nausea, increased appetite, abdominal pain, cramps or bloating. .
Opill pill: what are the contraindications?
This pill should not be taken by people who have or have had breast cancer, according to the FDA. “Consumers with any other form of cancer should consult a doctor before using. Opill should not be used at the same time as another hormonal contraceptive product, such as another oral contraceptive tablet, a vaginal ring, contraceptive patch, contraceptive implant, contraceptive injection or intrauterine device.”
