Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About...
Types of Emergency Contraception
When would I use ella instead of Plan B One-Step, Next Choice or Levonorgestrel Tablets?
If you have had unprotected sex, your birth control fails, or you have been forced to have sex, you still have a chance to prevent pregnancy - so take action right away. There are two different types of emergency contraceptive pills available for sale in the United States: progestin-only (Next Choice or Plan B One-Step) and ulipristal acetate (ella). Both types are effective, and both work primarily, or perhaps exclusively, by delaying or inhibiting ovulation. There are some important differences between these types of pills:
- Plan B One-Step, Next Choice and Levonorgestrel Tablets are available directly from the pharmacist if you are 17 or older, while ella is available by prescription only.
- ella is more effective than Plan B One-Step, Next Choice and Levonorgestrel Tablets , particularly on the 4th and 5th day after sex, when the effectiveness of progestin-only EC declines. ella is effective closer to ovulation than Plan B One-Step or Next Choice, and this is the time when women are most at risk of pregnancy and most likely to be having sex.
Because ella is a new product, it may take a while for pharmacies to routinely stock it. If you need EC, call your pharmacy to ask if they stock ella, Plan B One-Step, Next Choice or Levonorgestrel Tablets
(click here for more tips for calling about EC). If you are 17 or older, you can buy Plan B One-Step, Next Choice or Levonorgestrel Tablets directly from the pharmacist without a prescription. If you want to use ella, call your health care provider; you will need to get you with a prescription, and s/he may know of a pharmacy that has ella in stock. You can also purchase ella from this online prescription service for $40, including next-day shipping.
Here are some things to consider when choosing an emergency contraceptive pill:
- Effectiveness: ella is more effective than Plan B One-Step, Next Choice or Levonorgestrel Tablets, particularly on the 4th or 5th day after sex.
- Timing since unprotected sex: Both types of EC can be used up to 120 hours after unprotected sex. However, Plan B One-Step, Next Choice and Levonorgestrel Tablets decline in effectiveness on days 4 and 5 after sex, while ella does not. If it has been 4 or 5 days since you had unprotected sex, try to make an extra effort to get a prescription for ella. Use the tool on this page to help you calculate how much time you have left in the 5-day window.
- The calendar: If it is a weekend or holiday, your best option may be to get Plan B One-Step, Next Choice or Levonorgestrel Tablets from the pharmacy, as your clinic or health care provider’s office may not be open to provide you with a prescription for ella. You can also use the online prescription service for ella, but note that your delivery options are limited by the FedEx schedule - FedEx does not deliver on Sunday, and may not deliver on Saturday, depending on where you live. If delivery is not an option within your 5-day timeframe, you can get the prescription service to transfer your prescription to a local pharmacy for a $35 fee.
- Availability: Not all pharmacies carry EC. Call ahead to find out which brands your pharmacy has in stock (click here to find a pharmacy or clinic near you).
- Cost: EC can be expensive. Plan B One-Step, Next Choice and Levonorgestrel Tablets can cost between $35 and $60 when you buy it OTC at the pharmacy (Next Choice and Levonorgestrel Tablets generally cost about 10% less than Plan B One-Step. However, the makers of Plan B One-Step are offering a $10 coupon). ella may cost at least $50 at the pharmacy. If you choose the online prescription option for ella, it will cost $40 including next-day shipping. If your insurance covers EC, using your insurance is probably the least expensive option for you.
- Your age: If you are 16 or younger, you need a prescription for EC, whichever product you use.
If you have had unprotected sex, take action right away and find out what your options are. If you are sexually active, it’s always a good idea to have EC available in case you need it. You can ask your health care provider for a prescription to keep on hand until you need it, or purchase EC at the pharmacy to keep at home.