Colorado NARAL and DU NARAL, both abortion and reproductive rights groups, will host an informational meeting tonight to educate the DU community about emergency contraceptives. The meeting is in Sturm Hall in Room 453 from 6:30-8 p.m.

Emergency contraceptives, or more commonly known as RU-486 or “the morning after pill,” are pills a woman takes after having unprotected sex.

Preven and Plan B, the two emergency contraceptives available in the United States, prevent a woman from ovulating and becoming pregnant.

Plan B, which is a chemical combination of progesterone and estrogen, is the only emergency contraceptive offered by the DU Health Center.

Any woman who comes into the Health Center asking for an emergency contraceptive must see a provider before she gets the prescription for the Plan B pill, and they are highly encouraged to seek counseling.

The providers also discuss birth control options with women seeking the pill.

“We don’t want students to think it’s a form of regular birth control,” said Janine Guillen, practice manager for the Health Center. “It really should only be used as an emergency contraceptive.”

According to Colorado NARAL, the pill is 76 to 99 percent effective when it is taken within five days after unprotected sex. However, women can still get pregnant.

Emergency contraceptives should not be confused with Mifeprex, which is commonly known as the “abortion pill.” Emergency contraceptives prevent pregnancy while Mifeprex terminates an early pregnancy.

The DU Health Center offers the pills for $15.