Is there a weight limit for Restart™?Updated a year ago
There are many questions about the safety and efficacy of levonorgestrel morning-after pills as it relates to weight. Here’s what we know:
The FDA states that there are no concerns that would prevent someone with a uterus from using levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives safely — regardless of how much they weigh. However, safety and efficacy are not the same things.
The most important factor affecting how well emergency contraception works (aka how effective it is) is how quickly it’s taken. When emergency contraception is taken within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex or birth control failure, it can significantly decrease your chances of pregnancy. The sooner you take it, the more effective it is at preventing pregnancy.
The FDA conducted an independent review of the available scientific data and studies related to the effectiveness of levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives and weight. In their review, the FDA determined that these data are conflicting and too limited to make a definitive conclusion on how weight can affect how effective levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives are.
Stix has also reviewed studies related to weight and the effectiveness of levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives, and there are some studies that suggest efficacy may decrease as body weight and BMI increase.
However, the morning-after pill with the active ingredient levonorgestrel (including Restart™) is the only FDA-approved emergency contraceptive that’s available without a prescription. To make emergency contraception as accessible as possible during this critical time, this is the product that Stix is able to offer at this time.
While everyone — at any weight — should be able to use the morning-after pill and trust that it will work effectively, we know that this is not the reality. As a team, we’re committed to advocating for accessible emergency contraception for all and will work to offer better options to our customers as they become available.
We urge the FDA to approve a higher dose of emergency contraception that is effective for all bodies, regardless of size.