My Way is a generic version of Plan B One-Step. Both contain the exact same active ingredient, levonorgestrel, at the exact same dose of 1.5 mg. The FDA approved My Way through the same regulatory pathway used for all generic drugs, which requires it to be therapeutically equivalent to the brand-name product. In practical terms, My Way works the same way, has the same side effects, and follows the same timing window as Plan B.
Same Ingredient, Same Dose
My Way received FDA approval in 2017 through an Abbreviated New Drug Application, the standard process that requires a generic drug to prove it delivers the same active ingredient at the same strength and absorption rate as the original. Plan B One-Step contains 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel. My Way contains 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel. The only differences are the brand name, the packaging, and typically the price.
This is no different from buying store-brand ibuprofen instead of Advil. The chemical doing the work is identical.
How Both Products Work
Levonorgestrel is a synthetic hormone that primarily works by delaying or preventing ovulation. If your body hasn’t released an egg yet, the drug can pause that process so there’s nothing for sperm to fertilize. The closer you are to ovulation when you take it, the less reliably it can stop the egg from being released. Once ovulation has already happened, levonorgestrel has little to no effect on preventing pregnancy.
This is why timing matters so much. Neither My Way nor Plan B is designed as a routine contraceptive, and neither one ends an existing pregnancy.
Effectiveness Depends on Timing
Both My Way and Plan B should be taken within 72 hours (three days) of unprotected sex, but sooner is significantly better. Taken within the first 24 hours, levonorgestrel is about 94% effective at preventing pregnancy. By the 72-hour mark, that drops to roughly 58%. Every hour you wait reduces how well it works.
If you’re choosing between buying a cheaper generic now or waiting to find the brand-name version, buy whichever one you can get first. The speed advantage far outweighs any perceived difference between brands, because there is no actual difference in the medication itself.
Weight Can Affect How Well It Works
One important limitation applies equally to My Way and Plan B. Levonorgestrel may be less effective in people who weigh more than 165 pounds, and its effectiveness drops further above 176 pounds. A BMI over 25 is the approximate threshold where some reduced effectiveness has been observed, though experts emphasize that “less effective” does not mean “no effect.” Medical organizations recommend that people above these weight thresholds not be discouraged from using levonorgestrel if it’s the option available to them.
For people with a BMI over 30, a different emergency contraceptive containing ulipristal acetate (sold as ella) tends to work better. That option requires a prescription but carries a lower failure rate in this group: about 2.5% compared to roughly 6% for levonorgestrel.
Side Effects Are Identical
Because the active ingredient is the same, the side effect profile is the same for both products. The most commonly reported effects include nausea, headache, fatigue, abdominal pain, menstrual cramps, and changes to your next period. Your period may come a few days early or late, and the flow might be heavier or lighter than usual. Vomiting can also occur, though it’s less common. Serious adverse effects are rare.
These side effects are temporary and typically resolve within a day or two. If you vomit within two hours of taking the pill, it may not have been fully absorbed, and you may need another dose.
Price Is the Real Difference
Both My Way and Plan B are available over the counter with no age restrictions and no prescription required. The meaningful difference is cost. Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives range from about $11 to $50 depending on the brand and retailer. Plan B One-Step, as the name brand, typically sits at the higher end of that range. Generic versions like My Way are usually cheaper, sometimes significantly so.
You can find both at most pharmacies, many grocery stores, and online. Some insurance plans and programs cover emergency contraception at no cost, so it’s worth checking before paying out of pocket. If you’re comparing two boxes on a shelf and one costs $15 while the other costs $45, the lower-priced generic contains the same drug at the same dose and will work the same way.