Emergency Contraception and the Use of Levonorgestrel
Emergency Contraception and the Use of Levonorgestrel
Emergency Contraception and the Use of Levonorgestrel
Natalie DiPietro, PharmD, RPh, MPH Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Andrew M. Roecker, PharmD, RPh, BCPS, Professor of Pharmacy Practice
This knowledge-based activity is targeted for all pharmacists and is acceptable for 1.0 hour (0.1 CEU) of continuing education credit. This course requires completion of the program evaluation and at least a 70 percent grade on the program assessment questions.
ACPE Universal Activity Number: 0048-0000-12-049-H01-P Expires: August 4, 2015
Objectives:
At the conclusion of this article, the reader should be able to:
· Explain the pathophysiology of the fertilization and implantation process
· Discuss the mechanistic role of levonorgestrel in interrupting potential pregnancies
· Describe the legal and social issues associated with dispensing levonorgestrel as an emergency contraceptive
· Explain the patient information and education that must accompany dispensing of levonorgestrel as an emergency contraceptive
Introduction
Unintended pregnancies are a common occurrence in the United States. According to the most recent data available, 3.2 million unintended pregnancies occurred in the U.S. during 2006, which is roughly half of all pregnancies.1 Ongoing contraceptive methods are effective in significantly reducing unintended pregnancies. However, there are an estimated 4.5 million women at risk for pregnancy that do not use a regular method of contraception.1 The dispensing of emergency contraception can be used as an opportunity to introduce patients to other long-term contraceptive techniques while effectively preventing pregnancy when it was not their specific plan to have a child. Table 1 highlights therapeutic options currently available in the United States for emergency contraception. Levonorgestrel is one potential option for utilization as emergency contraception with documented efficacy and unique availability in pharmacies as a behind-the-counter product without a prescription for certain patient populations.
