Any person (male or female) age 18 or older can buy
Plan B without a prescription. The drug can only be purchased from a pharmacy (not at other types of retail stores) and is kept "behind the counter." This means that you will need to ask the pharmacist for Plan B. You will also need to show identification. For women who are younger than 18, Plan B can only be obtained with a prescription. You may want to call ahead to make sure your pharmacy carries the drug (some don't, for ethical or financial reasons) to avoid any possible delay or embarrassment.
Plan B and Ethical Issues
Some people may be concerned about the ethical issues surrounding Plan B. It is important to understand that Plan B is not RU-486, the so-called "abortion pill." Plan B will not disrupt an established, implanted pregnancy. However, it could prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus, which may bring up ethical issues for some people. It should be pointed out that other forms of progestin-only contraception (including "mini-pills") also work in a similar way and rely heavily on the prevention of implantation.
Plan B Uses in Children and Teens
Plan B is approved for use in women of reproductive age. This means that it is not approved for use in girls who have not yet had their first menstrual period. Teens who are under 18 can only get Plan B with a prescription. In some states, pharmacists who have specific certifications can dispense the drug to teens under 18 without a prescription.
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Plan B for something other than contraception. This is called an "
off-label" use. At this time, there are no universally accepted off-label Plan B uses.
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