Plan B vs Levonorgestrel: are they the same?
Plan B is a commercial brand whose active ingredient is exactly Levonorgestrel. This page explains what that means in practice: where they differ (brand, manufacturer, price, available strengths), why they are clinically equivalent, and when the brand or an authorised generic is the better choice.
Are they the same?
Yes — Plan B contains Levonorgestrel as its active ingredient. Talking about "Plan B" in clinical terms is the same as talking about Levonorgestrel at the dose strengths 1.5mg. The differences from the authorised generic are brand, manufacturer (Foundation Consumer Healthcare), excipients, tablet appearance and price — not the active molecule itself.
When Plan B is used
플랜 B는 가임기 여성에서 무방비 성관계 또는 알려진/의심되는 피임 실패 후 응급 피임에 적응됩니다. 72시간 이내에 가장 효과적이며, 지속적 피임에 비해 주기당 임신 위험이 더 높고 부작용이 있어 정기 피임 방법으로 사용해서는 안 됩니다. 임상 가이드라인에 따르면 응급 피임이 반복적으로 필요한 여성에게는 정기 피임 방법에 대한 상담을 제공해야 합니다.
Mechanisms compared
Because they share the same active ingredient, the mechanism is identical: 플랜 B의 주된 작용 기전은 LH 급증 전에 복용 시 배란을 지연시키거나 차단하는 것입니다. 배란이 이미 일어난 경우 레보노르게스트렐은 자궁경부 점액과 난관 운반에도 영향을 미칠 수 있으나 배란 후 효과는 제한적입니다. 플랜 B는 확립된 임신을 중단시키지 않으며 낙태 효과가 없습니다. 효과는 성관계 직후가 가장 높고 72시간 동안 감소하며, 120시간까지 일부 효과가 지속됩니다.
Brand or generic — which to choose?
For most patients, authorised generics of Levonorgestrel are clinically equivalent substitutes for Plan B and typically cost substantially less. The practical differences are manufacturer, excipients (rarely matters except in specific sensitivities), tablet appearance and price. The brand is preferred by some patients for personal reasons or insurance coverage; the generic is the default when cost matters.
자주 묻는 질문
Is Plan B the same as Levonorgestrel? ▾
Clinically yes — Plan B is the brand and Levonorgestrel is its active ingredient. At equivalent doses (1.5mg) they produce the same effect. The difference is brand, manufacturer (Foundation Consumer Healthcare) and price.
Is generic Levonorgestrel as effective as Plan B? ▾
Yes. Authorised generics of Levonorgestrel must demonstrate bioequivalence to the brand. The active substance is the same; average effect is the same. Price is usually substantially lower.
Why does Plan B cost more than generic Levonorgestrel? ▾
The price difference reflects originator development costs, brand recognition and competition among generic manufacturers. The molecule is identical; the cost is not.
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