Morning-after pill may be less effective for heavier women

Some morning-after pills may not be a reliable way to prevent pregnancy in heavier women. The European manufacturer of an emergency contraceptive pill, Norlevo, will caution women in new labeling that the product is “not effective” for women over 176 pounds and doesn’t work as well in women who weigh 165 pounds or more.

The Paris-based drug maker HRA Pharma plans to update the package inserts on Norlevo tablets in 2014, according to Mother Jones, which first reported the expected change Monday. Norlevo is sold in in Europe, Australia, India, Canada and other countries worldwide.

Norlevo contains a synthetic hormone known as levonorgestrel, which is also the main ingredient in Plan B One-Step, the brand name of the one-pill emergency contraception available in the United States. When taken with 72 hours after sex, both pills delay or prevent ovulation or block fertilization of an egg.
The Food and Drug Administration is investigating whether similar label changes are needed for emergency contraception in the U.S.
“The FDA is currently reviewing the available and related scientific information on this issue, including the publication upon which the Norlevo labeling change was based,” said Erica Jefferson, deputy director for the FDA office of media affairs. “The agency will then determine what, if any, labeling changes to approved emergency contraceptives are warranted."