-♥-

I think overall, it's a good idea. But like you said some stupid person would probably misuse it.

Quoting ma ♥:" Watching the news, & this came on, the idea of over the counter birth control. Google, you'll find ... [snip!] ... sure that's why they're doing more studies/investigations. & Of course, the FDA will have the final say. So, opinions?"

I think because of the side effects and drug interactions, it is best for it to be prescription.

I think it's a great idea in theory. I don't know how well it would work in practice.

No. Birth control is a hormonal medication that could cause a lot of harm if taken incorrectly or by a high risk woman. I also don't want mydaughter to be able to buy it without my knowledge.

Plus, there already are over the counter birth controls, they're called condoms and spermicide.

Hormonal birth control.. Meh that's iffy.. I do know that if an 8 year old boy eats a few he'll vomit his brains out all day   my little brother took some from our mother's drawer thinking it was candy. Priceless!!

It but I was Googling my new birth control pill called sronyx and there was an article about taking five active pills as a plan b type of thing. I didn't read it as I was looking for reviews but I didn't even know that was possible.

I would love it.

I hate that I have to get a pap before the doctor will give me another year's worth of BC prescriptions.

I guess that's why all my kids are 2 years apart  

It's hard. The fact that it's hormonal makes me iffy on selling it OTC. If it was something that more people could take as a whole without needing special information from a doctor, then I say go for it.

You can always label packaging with the instructions and explain that the schedule must be followed to achieve full effectiveness. Clearly people always abuse drugs regardless of what they are. You can't stop that from happening. But the general public could probably follow directions.

Maybe lock it up in a glass case like condoms so that not just anyone can get to it? And require you be 18 to purchase it?

<blockquote><b>Quoting Blair Waldorf (SuperKink):</b>" It's hard. The fact that it's hormonal makes me iffy on selling it OTC. If it was something that more ... [snip!] ... Maybe lock it up in a glass case like condoms so that not just anyone can get to it? And require you be 18 to purchase it?"</blockquote>


The main problem is even if it is taken properly, it is a risky medication for some women and you wouldn't know you were at risk unless seen by a doctor first.

I'd be for it. & about a girl abusing it, that could happen anyway... but I mean, like the pill... pretty damn easy to take, once a day.& doesn't the pharmacist generally go over the med briefly? always have w/ me...

Quoting £egendary £ex:" I'd be for it. & about a girl abusing it, that could happen anyway... but I mean, like the pill... ... [snip!] ... pretty damn easy to take, once a day.& doesn't the pharmacist generally go over the med briefly? always have w/ me..."

But, how would you know if you are at a higher risk of blood clots (for one example) unless you talked to the doctor about your specific risks. Also, the pharmacist does not have access to the names of any other medication you are taking that may interact with a hormonal medication. Like, did you know that taking a soy supplement interacts negatively with birth control? Are you or anyone else likely to know to tell the pharmacist that you drink a lot of soy milk?

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/birth-control-drug-interactions
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/understanding_birth_control_medications_contrace/article_em.htm

Quoting khigh:" But, how would you know if you are at a higher risk of blood clots (for one example) unless you talked ... [snip!] ... http://www.emedicinehealth.com/understanding_birth_control_medications_contrace/article_em.htm"

never heard that before, but no doctor has even told me that (about the soy). only thing the doctors did w/ me was check my vitals then prescribe me the BC & go briefly over how to take it. so in my experience doctors haven't even been that thorough w/ me. those can be valid points though...

Well and the article states that people need to take personal responsibility and make sure that they're able to take it before they start it. It's like anything else, you put warnings on it that say "Do not take if you have this or are taking this list of medications" and then you have to leave it up to the consumer. I mean yes, there are risks, but there are risks with ANY medication you take. It's well known that if you have certain conditions, you shouldn't take aspirin or acetaminophen or certain allergy meds. And you can't tell me that every single consumer is educated on whether or not they have the conditions that call for them not being able to use these meds already. There are always going to be people who are uneducated about the conditions they may have.

And studies show the chance of blood clots in BC users compared to those who are pregnant and/or just had a baby is way lower. It's like 3-10 in 10,000. And sometimes the doctors don't even know you have the condition and prescribe the BC anyway, so I guess to me it's not much different.