Plan B vs Aygestin: side-by-side comparison
Plan B (Hormones et contraception) and Aygestin (Santé sexuelle féminine) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely interchangeable. This page compares the medications' purposes, mechanisms and the situations where each is used.
| Property | Plan B | Aygestin |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Levonorgestrel | Norethindrone |
| Manufacturer | Foundation Consumer Healthcare | Various generics |
| Class | Hormones et contraception | Santé sexuelle féminine |
| Strengths | 1.5mg | 5mg |
| Forms | tablet | tablet |
What's the same
Plan B and Aygestin are used in very different patients, and the points in common are limited. The main shared element is that both meet regulatory standards for efficacy and safety and benefit from pharmacist oversight.
Key differences
Plan B belongs to Hormones et contraception while Aygestin belongs to Santé sexuelle féminine. Indications, mechanisms and target populations differ. The comparison is most useful when a clinician has mentioned both medications and the patient wants to understand where each fits.
Mechanism and action
Plan B: Le mécanisme principal de Plan B est le retard ou le blocage de l'ovulation lorsqu'il est pris avant le pic de LH. Aygestin: La noréthistérone se lie aux récepteurs de la progestérone et exerce des effets progestatifs : épaississement de la glaire cervicale, suppression du pic de LH, amincissement de l'endomètre et réduction de l'activité des…
When Plan B is preferred
Plan B est indiqué en contraception d'urgence après un rapport non protégé ou un échec de contraception avéré ou suspecté, chez la femme en âge de procréer.
When Aygestin is preferred
Aygestin est autorisé dans les douleurs associées à l'endométriose, les saignements utérins anormaux d'origine hormonale et l'aménorrhée secondaire.
Questions fréquentes
Is Plan B or Aygestin better? ▾
Plan B and Aygestin are not interchangeable — they treat different conditions. Asking which is "better" is meaningful only when a clinician has weighed both for the same specific clinical scenario.
Can I switch from Plan B to Aygestin? ▾
Switching between Plan B and Aygestin is rarely an appropriate decision since they belong to different classes and treat different conditions. The real question is usually whether the diagnosis calls for one medication or the other — which the prescriber resolves.
Do Plan B and Aygestin have the same side effects? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each medication has its own prescribing information.
More Plan B comparisons
Les informations publiées sur ce site sont fournies à titre documentaire et pédagogique. Elles ne remplacent pas l'avis d'un professionnel de santé qualifié.