Birth Control Pill Will Soon Be Available Over-the-Counter in the U.S

The 0.075-milligram tablet was approved for prescription use by the FDA in 1973. Opill is not an emergency contraception or abortion medication. This pill works by creating thick cervical mucus that makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and fertilize an egg. In some cases, stops ovulation from occurring.

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Birth control pills are also used apart from preventing pregnancy for conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome], for treating heavy and painful periods. There is no age limit to buy Opill. Hence, this major decision has a huge impact on adolescents and young adults who may not otherwise have the resources to access birth control().

If someone wants reproductive health care but needs birth control right away, they can start Opill until they can see a provider and discuss all the contraceptive options available. Experts believe the approval of Opill can also help bring peace of mind to marginalized groups.

Challenges to OTC birth control

Opill may have some similar side effects to combination pills such as irregular bleeding, headaches, dizziness, nausea, increased appetite, abdominal pain, cramps, or bloating. However, Progestin-only pills are safer for people having migraine headaches, uncontrolled blood pressure, and who are at high risk of blood clots.

Opill should not be used by women with breast cancer or any other form of cancer. It also should not be used together with another hormonal birth control product such vaginal ring, a contraceptive patch, a contraceptive implant, a contraceptive injection, or an IUD (intra-uterine device).

Opill’s cost is one of the biggest unknowns after its OTC approval, and it’s not clear whether the contraceptive will be covered by insurance.

Consider new actions to improve access to affordable over-the-counter contraception, pharmacies, employers, and insurers should discuss the coverage of over-the-counter contraception at no cost to patients; and provide guidance to support seamless coverage of over-the-counter contraception.

Some experts fear legal challenges to Opill’s approval after the US Supreme Court’s decision challenging the FDA’s approval of the abortion drug mifepristone. Fearing the outcome of the mifepristone case could certainly have implications for Opill’s approval or any drug approval().

Women should inform a health care provider if they develop repeated vaginal bleeding after sex or prolonged episodes of bleeding or amenorrhea (absence of menstrual period). Women who miss two periods (or have missed a single period and have missed doses of Opill) or suspect they may be pregnant should take a pregnancy test. Consumers should discontinue Opill if pregnancy is confirmed.

Always remember oral contraceptives do not protect against transmission of HIV, AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, and syphilis. Therefore, always use condoms to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

References:

1. Upadhya, Krishna K et al. Over-the-Counter Access to Oral Contraceptives for Adolescents. The Journal of adolescent health: official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine vol. 60,6 (2017): 634-640.(https://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(17)30023-X/fulltext)
2. Rubin R. Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill Could Be Available in the US by Year’s End. JAMA. 2023;329(23):2009-2010.(https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2805737)
3. Foster, Diana G et al. “Potential public sector cost-savings from over-the-counter access to oral contraceptives.” Contraception vol. 91,5 (2015): 373-9.(https://www.contraceptionjournal.org/article/S0010-7824(15)00011-6/fulltext)

Source: Medindia