Are There Age Restrictions for Buying Plan B?

Being in charge of your own reproductive health is important — no matter your age. Knowing what effective birth control (contraception) is available may be a part of maintaining your reproductive health. And should you need it, emergency contraception is an effective birth control option.

Plan B One-Step, or simply, Plan B (levonorgestrel) is the most commonly used emergency contraceptive in the U.S. Plan B is easy to use, effective, and safe. It’s also been available over the counter (OTC) to people of all ages since 2013. But even though it’s been available without age restrictions for almost a decade, there can still be confusion about who can buy Plan B and where.

Here, we’ll discuss whether there are any age restrictions for buying Plan B and what to do if you’re turned away trying to buy it.

Do you have to be 18 or older to buy Plan B? 

No. Plan B and its generics can be purchased by anyone of any age. In the past, emergency contraception could only be purchased OTC if you were 17 years of age or older. But in 2013, the FDA changed this age requirement. Now, there are no age restrictions for Plan B.

Where can you buy Plan B?

Plan B should be available in the family planning aisles of pharmacies and other retail stores. You should look for it wherever the store stocks condoms.

To help prevent theft, some stores may keep Plan B at the front register or place Plan B in security packaging. Any security items will be removed while you’re buying Plan B. As long as the store is open, you should be able to purchase Plan B at any time: Sales shouldn’t be restricted to certain times of the day.

Do you need insurance to buy Plan B?

No. Plan B is available OTC. This means you can purchase it without a prescription. But you still have the option to get it as a prescription if your insurance covers it. Regardless of whether you fill Plan B as a prescription, though, insurance is never required to buy Plan B.

How much does Plan B cost?

The average retail cost of Plan B is about $40. But if you purchase a generic or store-brand version of levonorgestrel, it may be cheaper than this. Plan B’s website also has a coupon you can print out and use when buying the medication without a prescription.

If you do fill Plan B as a prescription, a free GoodRx discount can bring the price down as low as $11. That’s nearly 75% in savings. It’s also important to know that, because of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most commercial insurance plans fully cover emergency contraception.

Being able to see a healthcare provider for a Plan B prescription may not be easy for everyone. And given that Plan B works better the sooner you can take it, time is of the essence. 

However, there are multiple emergency contraception telehealth services available, including GoodRx Care. A healthcare provider can get you set up with an emergency contraception prescription from the comfort and privacy of your home.

Do you need to show your ID to buy Plan B?

No. Because there are no age restrictions for buying Plan B, you don’t need to show a driver’s license or other ID. Even if you fill Plan B as a prescription, ID still shouldn’t be needed. If you’re being asked to provide an ID, you should ask the person at the register why they need it.

What should you do if you’re turned away from buying Plan B?

Unfortunately, there’s a possibility that you could be turned away when you try to buy Plan B. If you’re buying it OTC, ask if there’s another person working there, like a manager, that will sell you the medication. Pharmacies and other stores usually have more than one person working at a time.

If you’re filling Plan B as a prescription and a pharmacist refuses to fill it, ask them if another pharmacist is available to fill the prescription. If there’s no one available, you may have to transfer the prescription to another pharmacy. State pharmacy laws vary, and some states protect pharmacists if they have moral or religious objections to dispensing certain prescriptions.

Planned Parenthood offers many birth control services, including emergency contraception. They can provide you with information on your options as well as how to purchase low- or no-cost emergency contraception. Click or tap here to find a Planned Parenthood clinic near you.

Plan B’s website has an online store where you can purchase the medication. But it may take several days to ship it, and Plan B must be taken within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex. So, this wouldn’t be the best place to buy Plan B if you need it now. But it’s an option if you’re looking to buy Plan B to have on hand for future use.

Are there restrictions for buying other emergency contraceptives?

Plan B isn’t the only emergency contraceptive available. Another oral pill option is ella (ulipristal). This medication can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex. But unlike Plan B, ella is a prescription-only medication. This means you have to speak with a healthcare provider before being allowed to buy ella.

Another emergency contraception option is the Paragard copper intrauterine device (IUD). This is also an option for up to 5 days after unprotected sex. This must be inserted at a healthcare provider’s office, so telehealth appointments aren’t an option for Paragard. But it is the most effective form of emergency contraception.

What resources are available for teens who are looking for emergency contraception?

There are multiple resources dedicated to helping teens learn about and find emergency contraception:

• Planned Parenthood: This is one of the most well-known women’s health resources. They provide information and healthcare services for a variety of women’s health concerns. Emergency contraception is one of those services.

• The Center for Young Women’s Health: This educational website is maintained by the Boston Children’s Hospital. They provide accurate information about sexual and reproductive health topics, including emergency contraception. 

• Safe Teens: Safe Teens is a program run by Maternal & Family Health Services, a nonprofit organization that focuses on family wellness. Safe Teens provides all sorts of useful sexual and reproductive health information. They also have a texting hotline available to allow you to discreetly ask more detailed questions.

• Power to Decide: This website is dedicated to helping teens find accurate reproductive health information and access to birth control. They also have a health center finder to help you locate a clinic that offers the type of service you’re looking for.

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Written by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

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