Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About...
How to Get Emergency Contraception
Where can I get EC?
In the United States, there are currently three different brands of emergency contraceptive pills (sometimes called the "morning after pill") available in pharmacies. Unfortunately, it can be a bit confusing because there different age restrictions for these pills. Not all pharmacies stock all of these, so be sure to call ahead, particularly if you are 17 years old . Because of the age restrictions, emergency contraceptive pills are only sold behind the counter in licensed pharmacies, when a pharmacist is on duty.
- Plan B One-Step and Next Choice are approved for sale without prescription to women and men 17 and older. Women aged 16 and younger need a prescription.
- Plan B (the original version, which contains 2 pills instead of one) is still carried in some pharmacies but will be phased out soon. To buy this pill without prescription, you must be aged 18 or older.
Since not all pharmacies carry emergency contraception, we recommend you call ahead to check availability. If you are age 17, it is particularly important that you call ahead to check if your pharmacy has an emergency contraceptive pill that can be sold to you without prescription. To find a provider near you, try our searchable database.
Other health care providers - such as Planned Parenthood and health department clinics - also may have emergency contraceptive pills available for direct purchase.