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For the first sentence , an over - the - counter birth ascendence pill has been approved for use in the U.S. , the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA)announcedThursday ( July 13 ) .

The daily oral contraceptive , called Opill , will be available without a prescription at drug stores , convenience stores and grocery stores , as well as online , harmonise to the FDA . Perrigo , the tablet ’s God Almighty , prognosticate that the contraceptive gadget will be available for purchase from major retail merchant in the first quarter of 2024 , fit in to an emailed statement from the troupe .

photo shows a colorful box labeled "Opill, daily oral contraceptive" which is next to three sealed packs of small white pills

America’s first over-the-counter birth control pill has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Perrigo has not yet unwrap the pill ’s damage , although Frédérique Welgryn , Perrigo ’s global frailty chair for charwoman ’s wellness , has say the drug will be made " accessible and low-priced " to the great unwashed of all age and that the troupe will have a program to provide the pill at no price to those who qualify , The New York Times reported .

The FDA ’s commendation fall in line with a recommendation madein May by an independent consultatory committee , in which medical expert voted 17 - 0 in financial support of Opill ’s approval ; the FDA typically watch the advice of its advisory committees . In back prescription medicine - detached Opill , the citizens committee reviewed the usable data and concluded that consumer would be able to take the contraceptive machine safely and correctly without the guidance of a wellness master .

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a top view of colorful pills spread across a surface

The U.S. now joins about 100 other nations that allow nativity control pills to be sold without a prescription , The Washington Post report . U.S. expertshavelong pushedfor such an favourable reception , and their fighting take on new drift afterRoe v. Wade was overturned last year .

" Nonprescription availability of Opill may reduce barriers to access by allowing individuals to obtain an unwritten prophylactic equipment without the need to first see a health care supplier , " the FDA announcement reads . And it " may help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and their potential electronegative impacts , " which admit a lower hazard of former antepartum care , increased peril for preterm deliverance and wretched wellness and developmental outcomes for the affected children .

Opill is a progestin - only birth command pill , meaning it does not contain oestrogen , and its active element , norgestrel , was first okay for prescription drug use 50 years ago . Progestin - only pills , also known as minipills , are often recommend over estrogen - containing " combination " pills forpeople with a history of certain conditions , such as stemma clots or virgule .

a close-up of a gloved hand holding an IUD

Opill should be admit at the same time every mean solar day . " Adherence to daily use at the same fourth dimension of day is important for the effectiveness of Opill , " the FDA emphasized , and taking sure medications at the same prison term as Opill can also reduce its effectivity . ( These potential drug interaction aredetailed on the lozenge ’s label . )

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If used perfectly , Opill can beup to 98 % effectiveat preventing pregnancy . With typical , imperfect use , the pill is guess to be about 93 % effective , agree to The New York Times .

The most common side effects of Opill are unpredictable haemorrhage , headaches , giddiness , nausea , increased appetite , abdominal pain , cramp and bloating . Consumers with any type of malignant neoplastic disease should confab a doctor before taking Opill , and those with current breast cancer or a account of the disease should not habituate the product . The pill should not be choose during pregnancy .

a group class of older women exercising

Opill should not be used alongside other hormonal birth control ware . However , for people who desire an extra level of security , Opill can be used alongside rubber as a backup contraceptive method method acting . safe should also be used to foreclose sexually transmitted infections , which Opill and other birth command anovulatory drug do n’t guard against , the FDA advise .

" When used as head , daily oral contraception is safe and is wait to be more effective than presently available nonprescription contraceptive method [ such as rubber and spermicides ] in preventing unintended pregnancy,“Dr . Patrizia Cavazzoni , director of the FDA ’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research , said in the announcement .

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