Plan B One-Step™ (levonorgestrel) is a medication that is an emergency contraceptive, which is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Originally, it was a prescription medication. However, it is now available without a prescription for women who are 17 years old and older. In addition, it can only be purchased at the pharmacy counter, and you must show government-issued identification, such as a driver's license. For women age 16 and younger, Plan B is still a prescription medication.
Plan B originally came in a two-step formulation, which consisted of two tablets that are taken 12 hours apart. However, it was replaced by a new formulation, Plan B One-Step, which consists of one tablet. It is available by prescription for individuals under 17 years old or over-the-counter (OTC) for those 17 and older. The old formulation is still available in generic form.
In some states, specially trained pharmacists may dispense Plan B to all women, regardless of age, without a prescription.
The medication is made by Gedeon Richter, Ltd.
, for Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a division of Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (now owned by Teva Women's Health, Inc).