How Much is Plan B? Plan B Pill Costs and More

The number of Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) options available from online and local retailers has grown in recent years. Plan B is a form of emergency contraception that can help prevent unplanned pregnancies by delaying or preventing ovulation (the release of an egg) temporarily. 

Keep reading to learn more about Plan B costs, how it works, and more.

How much does Plan B cost?

The average over-the-counter retail price for a Plan B single-dose pill costs anywhere between $40 and $50. While you can pay out-of-pocket for Plan B, most insurance plans will also cover the full or partial price of the medication. You may also be able to find coupons and rebates for Plan B online. 

In addition to brand-name Plan B, there are generic versions of Plan B available to purchase, which we’ve broken down for you below. 

Affordable options and resources for Plan B 

If you need some assistance paying for Plan B, there are financial resources available.  Here are tips on how to save on Plan B, especially if you don’t have health insurance.

• Call your local family planning center: Many community or free health clinics can provide Plan B free of charge. For instance, you can call your local Planned Parenthood to see if they offer free Plan B. If your local Planned Parenthood doesn’t provide free Plan B, they will work with you to see what your insurance will cover and may be able to write you a prescription that you can use with a GoodRx discount. More on this below.

• Look for generic medications: Plan B is a popular emergency contraceptive, but there are generic alternatives, like Take Action and MY Way, available at lower prices. You can find them both online and at local pharmacies.

• Use a GoodRx discount: With GoodRx, a generic version of levonorgestrel 1.5 mg, such as Take Action, costs about $10. In comparison, the brand-name Plan B One-Step costs between $38 and $50. But in both cases, you’ll need to get a prescription first and bring it to a pharmacy counter to use the coupon. 

How does Plan B work? 

Plan B prevents pregnancy by temporarily delaying ovulation. Ovulation is the process that releases an egg to be fertilized. If an egg is not released, fertilization and pregnancy cannot happen. Plan B is a short-acting medication, meaning it won’t stay in your body for a long time. 

The main ingredient in Plan B is levonorgestrel 1.5 mg. Levonorgestrel, is the same hormone used in many birth control medications that can stop or delay ovulation and help prevent fertilization. With Plan B, the dose of levonorgestrel is higher than what’s in birth control. The one-time pill has to be taken within 3 days (72 hours) after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy, and is about 87% effective when used as directed.

Keep in mind, Plan B is not an abortion pill. Because the only action of Plan B is to temporarily delay ovulation, it will not affect an existing pregnancy. 

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Here’s more information on how other types of emergency contraception work, many of which are similar to Plan B:

• Ella (ulipristal): Ella is a pill that contains ulipristal, which targets certain hormone receptors (chemical binding sites) and prevents ovulation for up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Ella lowers the chances of pregnancy by 98% if taken within 5 days of unprotected sex. It is just as effective on day one as it is on day five, which is seen as a major advantage over Plan B and other levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive pills. However, Ella may not be the best option if you’re on hormonal birth control because it will make the birth control less effective afterwards. It also requires a prescription.

• ParaGard copper IUD: ParaGard is a non-hormonal device implanted in the uterus that can prevent pregnancy. This may be a good option for people who cannot or don’t want to take hormones. The copper in the IUD (intrauterine device) creates a toxic environment for the sperm, lowering the chances of pregnancy by 99.9% if placed within 5 days of unprotected sex. Because an IUD will help repel sperm, it can help prevent pregnancy even if ovulation has already occured, so it’s the most effective type of emergency contraception. However, the device and procedure can be expensive if you don’t have insurance. 

Do you want emergency contraception just in case of an emergency?

Emergency contraception should be used just for that — emergencies. It’s not recommended to use in place of regular birth control. That being said, it may be a good idea to have Plan B on hand, because it will work better the sooner it’s taken. Purchasing Plan B ahead of time also gives you an opportunity to look around and see how you can get it for cheaper, even if it takes a few more days for shipping.

Morning-after pills have a shelf life of a few years, so it’s important to keep track of the expiration date on the box when you purchase it. Also be aware that third-party online retailers may be selling expired or soon-to-expire emergency contraception, so make sure to check the expiration dates after purchasing and replace Plan B as needed.

How effective is Plan B?

Plan B is highly effective when taken as directed. Plan B One Step is about 87% effective when taken within 3 days of unprotected sex. 

Remember, no form of emergency contraception is 100% effective. But the chances of Plan B working as it should are higher the sooner you take it after sex. So it’s best to take it as soon as possible. 

Is Plan B available over the counter?

Yes, the Plan B pill is available over the counter to anyone of any age. There are a few different options for purchasing Plan B One-Step. You can purchase Plan B online or at retailers, such as Rite Aid or Walgreens. The medication is usually found in the family planning section of stores.

However, in many cases, when you buy Plan B without a prescription, you may have to pay full price for the medication and not be able to use your insurance. If you’d like to save money on Plan B, you can use GoodRx, or fill it at a pharmacy, but you will need a prescription for those options. 

Plan B side effects

The most commonly reported side effects of using Plan B are headaches and nausea. Spotting may also occur, and some people may experience temporary changes in their next menstrual period. Other side effects may include: 

• Breast tenderness

• Abdominal pain

• Dizziness

• Fatigue 

Plan B alternatives and how they work

As mentioned, there are other emergency contraceptives you can consider instead of the Plan B pill that also use levonorgestrel to delay ovulation. These include:

• Take Action

• MY Way

• Option 2

• Preventeza

• AfterPill

• My Choice

• Aftera

• EContra EZ

Ella and the ParaGard copper IUD can also be used as an emergency contraceptive if taken or placed within 5 days of unprotected sex.

Take Action vs. Plan B

Take Action is a generic version of the Plan B pill. Both pills contain 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel as their active ingredient. But Take Action is one of the most affordable generic versions of Plan B, with an average GoodRx price of as low as $10. 

Take Action can be purchased through GoodRx Care and online or in-person at a pharmacy. Because Take Action and Plan B both contain the same active ingredient, they have the same level of effectiveness when taken as directed. 

Aftera vs. Plan B

Aftera is another generic version of Plan B that also contains 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel as the active ingredient. Aftera is equally as effective as Plan B One-Step when taken as directed, too. Like Take Action, Aftera is available for as low as around $10 using GoodRx. You can get Aftera online through GoodRx Care and in-person.

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Written by:

Chaunie Brusie, BSN, RN

Chaunie Brusie, BSN, RN, worked as a clinical nurse for over 6 years in critical care, long-term care, and obstetrical nursing. She has over a decade of experience as a health and medical writer.

Edited by:

Samvida Patel, MNSP, INHC

Samvida Patel, MNSP, INHC, is a health editor at GoodRx. She is a nutritionist and integrative nutrition health coach with over 8 years of experience in health communications.

Reviewed 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.

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