You can buy the most common form of emergency contraception, a levonorgestrel pill (sold as Plan B One-Step and several generics), at virtually any pharmacy, grocery store pharmacy, or big-box retailer in the United States without a prescription, without showing ID, and at any age. A stronger prescription option called ella is available through a healthcare provider or telehealth service, and a copper IUD placed at a clinic is the most effective option of all. Here’s how each one works and where to find it quickly.
Pharmacies and Retail Stores
Levonorgestrel emergency contraception is stocked at chain pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid, as well as the pharmacy sections of Walmart, Target, and Costco. You’ll find it either on the shelf in the family planning aisle or near the pharmacy counter. No pharmacist consultation is required. The FDA approved it for nonprescription, no-age-restriction sale in 2013, and that rule applies to all generics as well.
Brand-name Plan B One-Step typically costs $40 to $50. Generics like Take Action, My Way, Option 2, Aftera, My Choice, and EContra cost significantly less, generally between $11 and $45. If a store’s shelf is empty, ask the pharmacist directly. Some locations keep stock behind the counter for inventory reasons, not because you need approval to buy it.
Online and Delivery Options
If you can’t get to a store, several services ship emergency contraception. Planned Parenthood Direct offers overnight shipping in discreet packaging. Orders placed Monday through Thursday before 1 PM Eastern ship the same day and arrive the next business day. Orders placed after that cutoff or on Fridays ship the following business day.
Amazon, Walmart.com, and other online retailers also sell levonorgestrel pills, sometimes with same-day or next-day delivery depending on your location. Because timing matters with emergency contraception, check estimated delivery windows carefully before ordering online instead of going to a store.
The Prescription Option: Ella
Ella (ulipristal acetate) is a different type of emergency contraceptive pill that requires a prescription. Its main advantage is that it remains highly effective for up to five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex, while levonorgestrel works best within the first 72 hours and becomes less reliable after that. Ella also holds its effectiveness better at higher body weights.
You can get a prescription from your primary care provider, an urgent care clinic, or a telehealth service. Planned Parenthood health centers can prescribe and sometimes dispense it on-site. Several telehealth platforms offer same-day consultations specifically for emergency contraception, with a prescription sent directly to a pharmacy near you.
Clinics That Offer Free or Low-Cost Access
If cost is a barrier, federally funded Title X family planning clinics provide emergency contraception on a sliding fee scale based on your income. Some patients pay nothing. To find the nearest one, use the clinic locator at reproductivehealthservices.gov. Planned Parenthood health centers, community health centers, and local health departments are other options that often carry emergency contraception at reduced cost or for free.
Insurance Coverage
Under the Affordable Care Act, most private health insurance plans must cover emergency contraception without cost-sharing when it’s prescribed by a healthcare provider. That’s true even though levonorgestrel doesn’t technically require a prescription. The catch: if you buy it over the counter without a prescription, your insurer may not reimburse you automatically. Getting a prescription first, even for the OTC version, can make the difference between paying full price and paying nothing. Some states have gone further and require coverage without a prescription, so it’s worth checking your plan’s specific rules.
The Copper IUD
A copper IUD is the most effective form of emergency contraception available. When inserted within five days of unprotected sex, it prevents pregnancy more than 99% of the time. It then continues working as long-term birth control for up to 10 to 12 years.
The tradeoff is that it requires a clinic visit and a provider trained in IUD insertion. Family planning clinics, OB-GYN offices, Planned Parenthood health centers, and some urgent care facilities offer the procedure. Getting an appointment within the five-day window can be challenging, so call ahead and explain that you need it for emergency contraception. Many clinics will prioritize the visit.
Body Weight and Effectiveness
Levonorgestrel pills become less effective at higher body weights. Research shows that people over about 155 pounds (70 kg) may see reduced effectiveness, and the odds of pregnancy increase roughly fourfold for people in the obese BMI range compared to those at lower weights. Some clinical guidelines suggest a double dose of levonorgestrel for people with a BMI over 26 or 30, though this hasn’t been definitively proven to solve the problem.
If you weigh more than 155 pounds, ella or a copper IUD are stronger choices. Ella maintains better effectiveness across a wider weight range, and the copper IUD works regardless of body weight.
Timing Matters Most
Every hour counts with emergency contraception. Levonorgestrel is most effective when taken within 24 hours and can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, though its effectiveness drops steadily over that window. Ella works well for up to 120 hours. A copper IUD can be placed within 120 hours as well. Regardless of which option you choose, taking action as soon as possible gives you the best chance of preventing pregnancy. If a pharmacy is open near you right now, that’s your fastest path.