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Plan B
After having unprotected sex, a woman may use a medication called Plan B to help prevent pregnancy. This emergency contraceptive is available without a prescription for women who are at least 17 years old (for women under 17, a prescription is needed). It comes in two forms -- one that is taken in a single dose and one that is taken as two doses. Side effects include nausea, headaches, and fatigue.
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.
(Click Plan B Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
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).
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD