Frequently Asked Questions

Plan B is a progestin-only emergency contraception product that helps prevent pregnancy when taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex. It contains levonorgestrel 1.5 mg, the same active ingredient as regular birth control pills—just at a single, higher dose, and works by temporarily delaying ovulation.

Plan B is a backup method of preventing pregnancy and should not be used as regular birth control.

If women take Plan B as directed, it can significantly decrease the chance that they will get pregnant. About 7 out of every 8 women who could have gotten pregnant will not become pregnant after taking Plan B.

Plan B helps prevent pregnancy by temporarily delaying ovulation. That is, it works by stopping the release of an egg from the ovary.

Plan B will not impact a woman’s future or long‑term fertility.

Plan B is not an abortion pill and it will not affect or harm an existing pregnancy. It works by stopping the release of an egg from the ovary.

Right away. Plan B does not interfere with regular birth control, nor make it any less effective, so women can resume their regular birth control or start one, if they don’t have a regular method.

If you have questions or need more information about Plan B, fill out the Contact Us form here, or visit other pages on this website.

Plan B is emergency contraception women can take when:

• They didn’t use any form of birth control or had unprotected sex
• There was an issue with their regular birth control method (eg, the condom broke or slipped)
• They missed a dose (or more) of their regular birth control pill

Plan B helps prevent pregnancy before it starts when taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex. The sooner women take it, the better it works.

Yes, women can use Plan B when they are breastfeeding. In general, no harmful effects of progestin‑only pills like Plan B One‑Step have been found on breastfeeding performance or on the health, growth, or development of the infant. However, random cases of decreased (less) milk production in the mother have been reported.

Plan B emergency contraception should not be used as a regular method of birth control. However, if women have already used Plan B in their lifetime, it can be safely used again after another instance of unprotected sex or birth control failure. But again, Plan B should only be taken when a woman’s primary, regular birth control method was missed or their birth control method failed.

Plan B doesn’t provide long‑term protection against future pregnancy—when taken as directed, it works to help prevent pregnancy after only one incident of unprotected sex. If women are sexually active, even occasionally, they should see a healthcare professional or visit a family planning center/clinic to find a regular method of birth control that suits them.

Women should not take Plan B if:

• They’re already pregnant, because it won’t work
• They’re allergic to levonorgestrel or any of the ingredients in Plan B
• In place of regular birth control

We continue to hold the same belief as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which states that there are no safety concerns that preclude the use of levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives in women generally, and continue to believe that all women, regardless of how much they weigh, can use Plan B to prevent unintended pregnancy following unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. The most important factor affecting how well Plan B works is how quickly it is taken. When Plan B emergency contraception is taken as directed, within 72 hours after unprotected sex or birth control failure, it can significantly decrease the chance that a woman will get pregnant. In fact, the earlier the product is taken after unprotected intercourse, the better it works.

Emergency contraception is not meant to be used as a regular form of birth control because it is not as effective, so it’s critical that women have a “plan A” (regular) birth control method, or start one if they don’t have one already.

When used as directed, Plan B is safe and effective. It contains levonorgestrel—the same active ingredient as many popular birth control pills—just at a single, higher dose.

Some women may experience side effects, including:

• a period that’s lighter, heavier, early, or late
• nausea
• lower abdominal cramps
• tiredness
• headache
• dizziness
• breast tenderness
• vomiting

Some drugs or herbal products that may decrease the effectiveness of progestin‑only pills (such as Plan B) include: barbiturates, bosentan, carbamazepine, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, St. John’s wort, topiramate, and certain HIV/AIDS medications (such as protease inhibitors and non‑nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors).

No. Plan B is available right off the shelf in the family planning aisle of major retail stores—no prescription or ID needed. There’s also no age requirement—anyone (of any gender!) can buy it.

Plan B One‑Step is available right off the shelf in the family planning aisle of all major retailers without a prescription, ID, age, or gender restriction.

Plan B can be found in the family planning aisle of all major retailers, including CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Target, and Walmart. It’s also available at smaller pharmacies and some food stores around the country. Click here to find a store near you.

Plan B should be kept on the shelf in the family planning, sexual health, or feminine hygiene section. Plan B has been available over the counter without an age restriction or a prescription or ID required for purchase since 2013.