Ella and Plan B Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide
Key takeaways:
Plan B (levonorgestrel) and ella (ulipristal) are two two types of emergency contraceptive pills. They’re both single-dose medications, meaning you need to take one pill only one time for them to work.
Plan B is most effective when taken within 3 days (72 hours) of unprotected sex. You should take ella within 5 days (120 hours). But the sooner you take either, the more effective they’ll be.
Some studies suggest Plan B and ella may be less effective if your body weight is considered overweight or obese. But it’s still recommended to take one of these emergency contraceptives if you need it, regardless of your body weight.
Access savings on related medications
Table of contents
Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) and ella (ulipristal) are two types of emergency contraception pills that can help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Plan B is available over the counter (OTC), while ella is available only with a prescription.
With emergency contraception pills, taking them correctly helps them work as effectively as possible. Both medications have straightforward dosage instructions, but unexpected questions sometimes arise. What happens if you throw up after taking them? Do you need a different dosage if you have a larger body?
Here, we’ll review common ella and Plan B dosages and answer other emergency contraception questions.
Good to know: Plan B and ella are forms of birth control that work to prevent a pregnancy. They’re not abortion pills, and they won’t stop a pregnancy that has already started. If you’re already pregnant, contact a healthcare professional to discuss your options.
What’s the typical Plan B dosage?
The recommended Plan B dosage is 1 tablet (1.5 mg) by mouth one time with or without food. You should take Plan B within 3 days (72 hours) of unprotected sex. But the sooner you take it, the more effective it is. For example, taking it right after unprotected sex is more effective than taking it a day later.
Nausea is a common side effect of Plan B. But if you throw up within 2 hours of taking it, contact a healthcare professional. You may need to take another dose.
Compare options: Plan B and ella are two types of emergency contraceptive pills. Learn more about how they compare.
Consider efficacy: Plan B can be up to 89% effective when taken as directed. Learn more about what affects its efficacy.
Lower costs: Generic versions of Plan B are just as effective as the brand name but have a lower cost. See how much generic and brand-name Plan B cost and how to save.
What’s the typical ella dosage?
The recommended ella dosage is 1 tablet (30 mg) by mouth one time with or without food. You should take it within 5 days (120 hours) of unprotected sex. Similar to Plan B, the sooner you take ella, the more effective it will be.
Ella also commonly causes nausea as a side effect. If you throw up within 3 hours of taking it, contact your prescriber. You may need to take another dose.
Can you take Plan B or ella if you’re under 18?
Yes. You can take Plan B or ella if you’re under 18. As long as you’ve started menstruating (gotten your first period), you’re eligible to take either emergency contraception pill. People of any age or gender can buy Plan B at a pharmacy without a prescription.
In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends healthcare professionals prescribe emergency contraception pills in advance to teens who are sexually active. Then they can take Plan B or ella as soon as possible if needed.
Save over 40% on Qsymia with GoodRx
Discover the once daily Qsymia for weight management. Qsymia is for adults and children 12-17 in combination with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Do you need to take a different dose of Plan B or ella if you have a higher body weight?
No. The manufacturers of ella and Plan B recommend the same dose for everyone, regardless of your body weight. But Plan B and ella may be less effective if your body weight is considered overweight or obese.
An analysis of two studies found that Plan B was less effective for women with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more compared with women who have a BMI of less than 25. This analysis also looked at whether the results were different when looking at body weight instead of BMI. It found Plan B to be less effective in women weighing 165 lbs or more.
Some evidence suggests that ella may not work as well for women who weigh more than 187 lbs. But other studies say there’s no significant difference in effectiveness for people with larger bodies.
Experts recommend using the copper intrauterine device (IUD) for emergency contraception if your body weight is above these cutoffs. The copper IUD is the most effective emergency contraceptive, regardless of body weight. If this isn’t an available option, ella would be the next most effective choice. But if you’re unable to access both the copper IUD and ella, you should still take Plan B if you need it.
Should you take a double dose of Plan B if you have a higher body weight?
No, it’s not recommended to take a double dose of Plan B if you’re considered overweight or obese. Studies suggest that taking two tablets is no more effective than taking one. Taking more than recommended also raises your risk of side effects. Unless a healthcare professional tells you otherwise, it’s best to take Plan B as directed on the OTC label.
Can you take more than one dose of Plan B or ella per menstrual cycle?
Emergency contraception works only when taken after intercourse. Plan B and ella won’t work for sexual encounters that happen after you take it. But the instructions for when to repeat doses are different for Plan B and ella.
You can take Plan B as often as you need to. Taking Plan B more than once per menstrual cycle doesn’t affect how well it works. It also doesn’t cause any long-term side effects. But short-term side effects, such as cramping and nausea, are possible every time you take Plan B.
On the other hand, you shouldn’t take ella more than once per menstrual cycle. It hasn’t been well studied for safety or effectiveness when taking it like this.
But can you safely take both Plan B and ella in the same menstrual cycle? In some cases, you might be able to. But you should ask a healthcare professional about timing. Don’t take Plan B if you’ve taken ella in the last 5 days. Plan B and ella interact and can make each other less effective.
Good to know: It’s not recommended to use Plan B or ella in place of regular birth control. This is because they’re less effective at preventing pregnancy than many other types of birth control, including IUDs and daily birth control pills. Using regular birth control is also typically more affordable than taking emergency contraception pills multiple times per menstrual cycle.
What should you do if it’s been more than 5 days since you had sex?
If it’s been more than 5 days since you had sex, emergency contraception pills may not be effective. It’s a good idea to contact a reproductive healthcare professional for further guidance. But you may be told to wait a few weeks to see if you get your next period or to take a pregnancy test if you don’t.
The soonest you should take a pregnancy test is 2 to 3 weeks after unprotected sex. Taking it before this won’t give an accurate result. Home pregnancy tests are best at detecting a pregnancy a few days after a missed period.
How to save on Plan B and ella
Plan B and ella are available as brand-name medications. But you can also find Plan B as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help you navigate ways to save on your medication.
Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save over 69% off the average retail price of the generic version of Plan B. Generic Plan B at certain pharmacies is as low as $12.27 with a free GoodRx discount. The price of ella at certain pharmacies is as low as $43.42 with a free GoodRx discount.
Save with a coupon from the manufacturer. If you’re purchasing brand-name Plan B without a prescription, the manufacturer has a $10 coupon available to text or email to yourself or download and print from a computer. Just present it at the register during your purchase.
Keep in mind that in order to use a GoodRx coupon for Plan B, a healthcare professional will need to write you a prescription for it.
The bottom line
Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) and ella (ulipristal) are two types of emergency contraceptive pills. These medications are taken as a onetime dose after unprotected sex. Plan B is most effective when taken within 3 days of unprotected sex. Ella is most effective if taken within 5 days. But with both Plan B and ella, they’re more effective the sooner you take them after having sex.
Emergency contraceptive pills may be less effective if your body weight is considered overweight or obese. Still, the recommended ella and Plan B dosages are the same, regardless of your body weight.
Why trust our experts?
References
American Society for Emergency Contraception. (2022). Efficacy of emergency contraception and body weight: Current understanding and recommendations.
Edelman, A. B., et al. (2022). Double dosing levonorgestrel-based emergency contraception for individuals with obesity: A randomized controlled trial. Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Foundation Consumer Healthcare. (2023). Plan B One-Step- levonorgestrel tablet [package insert].
FSRH Guideline. (2019) Overweight, obesity and contraception. BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health.
HRA Pharma America. (2023). Ella- ulipristal acetate tablet [package insert].
Jatlaoui, T. C., et al. (2016). Safety and effectiveness data for emergency contraceptive pills among women with obesity: A systematic review. Contraception.
Upadhya, K. K., et al. (2019). Emergency contraception. Pediatrics.
World Health Organization. (2021). Emergency contraception.
