Plan B is available over the counter at most pharmacies and retail stores in the United States, with no prescription, no age restriction, and no ID required. You can walk into a drugstore, pick it up off the shelf, and buy it like any other product. The FDA approved it for unrestricted nonprescription sale in 2013, and that applies to both the brand name and all generic versions.
Where to Buy Plan B
You’ll typically find Plan B (or a generic equivalent) in the family planning or feminine hygiene aisle at major retailers. It’s stocked on the regular shelf, not behind the pharmacy counter, so you don’t need to ask anyone for it or wait for the pharmacy to be open.
Common places that carry it include:
- Drugstores: CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid
- Big-box retailers: Target, Walmart
- Grocery store pharmacies
- Online retailers: Amazon, CVS.com, Walmart.com, and telehealth platforms like Wisp and Nurx
If cost is a barrier, Planned Parenthood health centers often provide emergency contraception for free or at a reduced price. Some college health centers and community clinics do the same.
How Much It Costs
The brand-name Plan B One-Step runs about $40 to $50. Generic versions like Take Action, My Way, and Julie cost less, generally $15 to $45, and work the same way. Some health insurance plans cover emergency contraception, but you may need a prescription for your plan to reimburse you, even though the pill itself doesn’t require one. If you’re unsure whether your insurance covers it, a pharmacist or Planned Parenthood staff member can help you figure that out.
When to Take It
Plan B can be taken up to 72 hours (three days) after unprotected sex, but it works best the sooner you take it. The pill works by delaying or preventing ovulation, so timing matters. If your body has already released an egg, the pill is less likely to help. It does not end an existing pregnancy or harm a developing embryo.
There’s no special preparation. You swallow one tablet with or without food. That’s the entire process.
Weight and Effectiveness
Research suggests Plan B becomes less effective for people with a BMI above 26. A large study found that levonorgestrel, the hormone in Plan B, is the most likely emergency contraception option to fail at higher body weights. If this applies to you, there are two stronger alternatives worth knowing about.
The first is a prescription pill called ella (ulipristal acetate), which works up to 120 hours (five days) after unprotected sex. It may also be affected by weight, but not to the same degree as Plan B. In 15 states plus Washington, D.C., pharmacists can prescribe emergency contraception directly, which can speed up access to ella without a separate doctor’s visit. Those states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
The second option is a copper IUD, which is by far the most effective form of emergency contraception regardless of body weight. It requires a clinic visit for insertion but can also serve as long-term birth control for up to 12 years.
Side Effects to Expect
Plan B is a single large dose of a hormone your body already encounters in regular birth control pills, so side effects are common but short-lived. You might experience nausea, fatigue, headache, dizziness, breast tenderness, or cramping in the hours and days after taking it. Some people also notice light spotting.
The most noticeable effect for many people is a change in their next period. It may arrive earlier or later than usual, and the flow might be lighter or heavier. This is normal and typically resolves by the following cycle. If your period is more than seven days late, take a pregnancy test. A missed period is the main sign the pill didn’t work.
Getting It Online or by Delivery
If you can’t get to a store, several options exist. Amazon and major retailer websites sell Plan B and generics with standard shipping, but that may not be fast enough in a time-sensitive situation. Telehealth platforms like Wisp and Nurx can ship emergency contraception, sometimes with expedited options. Planned Parenthood Direct, the organization’s app, offers ella with a quick online consultation and ships it directly to you or sends a prescription to your local pharmacy.
Some people keep a box of Plan B at home before they need it. The pills have a shelf life of several years, and having one on hand eliminates the scramble to find a store or wait for delivery when every hour counts.