	*J. E. Pierce Apothecary, inc.* ~Prescription Chemists~ *An integral part of your health care team for over 40 years.*
	Emergency Contraception (EC) Frequently Asked Questions What is EC? Emergency contraception, also called "The morning after pill", is an FDA approved contraceptive for use after sexual intercourse, when contraceptives have failed, or when no contraceptives were used. EC is not the same thing as mifepristone, (RU-486) or the "abortion-pill,” which terminates an early pregnancy. When should I use EC? EC is 75 – 89% effective in preventing pregnancy when taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex. It can also be effective when taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex.

Where can I obtain EC? EC is available in Massachusetts with a prescription from your doctor or health care provider. For more information on where to get EC, click here. Massachusetts is now the 8th state to allow you to get EC pills from some pharmacies without a prescription as part of the new EC law. For more information on EC pharmacy access, click here. To find a pharmacy that participates click here FIND A PHARMACY Our pharmacy is registered to provide EC. Please contact us 617-566-4080 for more information. Why can't I just double up on birth control pills? Their are specific guidelines to use a certain number and combination of birth control pills as an emergency contraceptive, however, they generally are more difficult to use and have undesirable side effects. How is EC different from birth control pills? Are there side effects? Birth control pills use both estrogens and progestins (synthetic progesterone-like drugs) and it is the estrogenic portion that usually causes the most side effects. EC pills contain only the progestin portion of the pills resulting in fewer side effects and less estrogen exposure. Side effects of EC may include fatigue, headache, dizziness, and breast tenderness. These usually go away in 24 hours. Call for more information.
Contact us: Phone: (617) 566-4080 Fax: (617) 566-2757 jepierce@jepierce.com	1180 Beacon Street Brookline, MA 02446 Corner of Beacon and Powell Next to The Holiday Inn	Hours Mon-Fri: 8am - 6pm Sat: 10am - 4pm (10-2 in July/Aug)

J. E. Pierce Apothecary, inc.
~Prescription Chemists~
An integral part of your health care team for over 40 years.

Emergency Contraception (EC)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EC?

Emergency contraception, also called "The morning after pill", is an FDA approved contraceptive for use after sexual intercourse, when contraceptives have failed, or when no contraceptives were used. EC is not the same thing as mifepristone, (RU-486) or the "abortion-pill,” which terminates an early pregnancy.
When should I use EC?

EC is 75 – 89% effective in preventing pregnancy when taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex. It can also be effective when taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex.

Where can I obtain EC?

EC is available in Massachusetts with a prescription from your doctor or health care provider. For more information on where to get EC, click here.
Massachusetts is now the 8th state to allow you to get EC pills from some pharmacies without a prescription as part of the new EC law. For more information on EC pharmacy access, click here. To find a pharmacy that participates click here *FIND A PHARMACY*
Our pharmacy is registered to provide EC. Please contact us 617-566-4080 for more information.
Why can't I just double up on birth control pills?

Their are specific guidelines to use a certain number and combination of birth control pills as an emergency contraceptive, however, they generally are more difficult to use and have undesirable side effects.

How is EC different from birth control pills? Are there side effects?

Birth control pills use both estrogens and progestins (synthetic progesterone-like drugs) and it is the estrogenic portion that usually causes the most side effects. EC pills contain only the progestin portion of the pills resulting in fewer side effects and less estrogen exposure. Side effects of EC may include fatigue, headache, dizziness, and breast tenderness. These usually go away in 24 hours.

Call for more information.

Contact us:

Phone: (617) 566-4080

Fax: (617) 566-2757

jepierce@jepierce.com

1180 Beacon Street
Brookline, MA 02446
Corner of Beacon and Powell

Next to The Holiday Inn

Hours

Mon-Fri: 8am - 6pm
Sat: 10am - 4pm

(10-2 in July/Aug)