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FDA approves 5-day-after pill
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08/13/10 05:34 PM ET
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday gave its stamp of approval to a controversial pill that prevents pregnancies up to five days after sex.
Available in Europe since May 2009, the so-called ella tablets should be used only as an emergency measure, the FDA said.
"It is not intended for routine use as a contraceptive," the agency warned.
Plan B, which prevents pregnancies up to three days after sex, has been on the market for more than a decade (and available as an over-the-counter drug since 2006).
The five-day pill, which has come under fire from anti-abortion activists, will be prescription-only.
