Do You Have to be 18 to Buy Plan B?

Plan B One-Step (or Plan B) morning-after pill and its generic forms are emergency contraceptives sold in stores. Anyone can buy it without a prescription, parental consent, or an ID, regardless of your age. All forms are safe and effective ways to prevent an unintended pregnancy.

Plan B must be used within 72 hours of an unprotected sexual encounter or a contraceptive failure. Plan B is not intended for use as a routine method for preventing pregnancy. Plan B is not an abortion pill and will not end an existing pregnancy. 

This article explains Plan B emergency contraceptive access, where to buy it, possible side effects, precautions, and other options.

Who Can Buy Plan B

Plan B access has increased over time to the blanket, unrestricted access available today:

• 1999: The FDA approved Plan B for prescription use only.
• 2006: The FDA approved nonprescription availability of Plan B for women 18 years and older and by prescription for women 17 years and younger.
• 2009: The FDA approved nonprescription availability of Plan B One-Step (PBOS) for women 17 years and older and by prescription for women 16 years and younger.
• 2013: The FDA approved PBOS for nonprescription use without any age restrictions.

Where to Buy Plan B

You can buy Plan B emergency contraceptives at drugstores, retail outlets (e.g., Target), many grocery stores, or online (e.g., Amazon). 

Typically, Plan B and generic forms are found in the family planning aisle, near over-the-counter (OTC) contraceptives (condoms, VCF, etc.), and home pregnancy tests. You may need to ask for it if you don't find it shelved there.

To deter theft, some stores keep supplies behind the pharmacy or checkout counter or use lock boxes when displaying products.

Free or low-cost emergency contraception from Planned Parenthood, another family-planning clinic, or your local hospital or health department may be available in your community.

Side Effects and Precautions

Side effects you may experience after taking Plan B include:

• Abdominal pain/cramping
• Breast tenderness
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Nausea

Side effects are usually mild and brief. Your next menstrual cycle may be slightly disrupted (arriving either earlier or later) and you may spot or bleed lightly beforehand.

Plan B will not affect your ability to get pregnant in the future and will not harm an existing pregnancy.

Other Emergency Contraceptive Options

If you weigh more than 155 pounds, Plan B may not work for you. In that case, IUDs or Ella are better emergency contraception options to use. 

Ella (ulipristal acetate) is an emergency contraceptive pill that tends to be more effective for people with higher BMIs. However, it requires a prescription from a healthcare provider in most states. This pill also loses some potency in those weighing 195 pounds or more.

Another highly effective alternative is an intrauterine device (IUD). It can be inserted up to five days after unprotected sex/contraceptive failure or during your cycle when a pregnancy test is negative and works effectively regardless of BMI.

IUDs must be inserted by a clinician so, call your healthcare provider, local family planning clinic, or Planned Parenthood health center as soon as you realize you need emergency contraception.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Consult your healthcare provider before taking Plan B if:

• There is any possibility you may already be pregnant.
• You are taking any medications or over-the-counter supplements.
• More than three days have passed since unprotected sex/contraceptive failure.

After taking Plan B, contact your healthcare provider if:

• Any side effects persist for more than 48 hours or are severe.
• You experience severe lower abdominal pain three to five weeks later.
• Your period is over a week late (you may be pregnant).

Summary

Plan B and its generic forms are emergency contraceptives sold in drug, retail, and grocery stores as well as online. You can buy Plan B without a prescription, parental consent, or an ID, regardless of your age. It must be used within 72 hours of an unprotected sexual encounter and may not be an effective option for those who are overweight. Side effects are usually mild and transitory, but if they persist or are severe you should contact your healthcare provider.