Emergency contraceptives, also known as the morning after pill, are medications taken to prevent pregnancy following unprotected sexual intercourse. They are not a replacement for routine birth control and do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. However, they are an option if other birth control fails or if a birth control pill is missed. 

Emergency contraceptives are not a form of abortion. To be effective preventing pregnancy, they should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Commonly used drug classes used as emergency contraceptives include emergency contraceptives and abortifacients.