No, That's Not a Plan B Pill Inside Your Pregnancy Test

Wondering what that pill inside a pregnancy test is? It's not a morning after pill, but there is an explanation.

pregnancy tests on shelf of pharmacy
Roman Tiraspolsky/Shutterstock.

Videos of people taking apart over-the-counter pregnancy tests and claiming to find a "pill" inside are all over the internet. As eyebrow-raising as it might sound, various pockets of the internet and social media have been buzzing with the thought that this little pill is Plan B, or the morning-after pill.

We're here to clear up the rumor for once and all: Yes, there is a tablet that can be found inside the plastic part of some over-the-counter pregnancy tests if you take it apart. But the tablet is not a morning-after pill and is not meant to be eaten. Here's what's really going on.

What the Pregnancy Test Makers Say

The majority of the buzz about the pregnancy test "pill" has been circulated on TikTok. In addition to clips created by kids wondering if the tablet is actually emergency contraception, there are clips by teens trying to set the record straight. Many appear under the hashtags #clearbluechallenge, #clearblue, and #planb.

To clear up the confusion, Parents reached out to Clearblue, the brand featured in many of the user-generated videos. A spokesperson for the company explained via email that they were aware of the rumors. Clearblue went on to explain that the "pill" inside some pregnancy test products is a tablet placed there to absorb moisture—it is not meant to be consumed.

What Is the Pill Inside a Pregnancy Test?

According to Clearblue, "Clearblue pregnancy tests do NOT contain Plan B pills. All our tests have a small desiccant tablet which is included to absorb moisture and should not be eaten. If accidentally ingested we ask people to please seek medical advice and for any further questions contact our careline at 1-800-321-3279."

Clearblue's website echoes this, stating that all the company's tests contain "a small desiccant tablet which is included to absorb moisture and should not be eaten." This isn't unusual. Desiccant tablets are used in many medical products, such as pregnancy tests or vitamin bottles, to absorb moisture and humidity and help preserve shelf life.

Where To Find Emergency Contraceptives

In short, there is no form of emergency contraception pill included in pregnancy tests. But people in need of emergency contraceptives can purchase them over the counter.

Plan B One-Step Emergency Contraceptive costs around $50, while generic versions of the morning-after pill run anywhere from $13 to $45. Both are available over the counter at most drugstores and pharmacies or can be purchased online. Anyone can buy emergency contraceptives regardless of age or gender.

Cynthia Cork, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Fountain Valley, California, explains that the lack of an age restriction—which was taken off of Plan B in 2013—makes it easier for sexually active teens to acquire should they need it.

"Plan B is the only emergency contraceptive that's available over-the-counter, without going through a doctor or pharmacist," Dr. Cork explains. An emergency contraceptive pill works best when it's taken within 72 hours, or three days, of unprotected sex, but you can take it up to five days following.

The social media videos about the "pills" inside pregnancy tests may indicate that teens are attempting to share information about accessing emergency contraceptives, which serves as a reminder to parents and caregivers of the importance of ongoing sex education, including how to reduce the risk of pregnancy and where to access reproductive care.

Teaching comprehensive sex education and discussing safe sex are two preliminary steps parents and schools can take to reduce the chances that tweens and teens will need to shop for a pregnancy test—or Plan B—in the first place. And if they need access to pregnancy tests or emergency contraceptives, tweens and teens should know that these reproductive care items are sold separately and where they are available.

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Sources
Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Pregnancy Products. Clearblue. 2024.

  2. Desiccant Tablets. WiseSorbent Technology. 2023.

  3. Plan B One-Step (1.5 mg levonorgestrel) Information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2022.

  4. Emergency contraception review: evidence-based recommendations for clinicians. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2014.

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