Where to Buy Plan B:
A Comprehensive Guide

Whether you’re someone who likes to be prepared, or you’ve been caught unprepared during a hookup, you may be wondering where you can get your hands on emergency contraception, also known as “the morning after pill.” We’ve got everything you need to know about where to buy Plan B, so keep on reading!

How do I get Plan B?

First, you should know that Plan B is available online without a prescription, which means you can order it from Wisp and have it delivered to your home to keep on hand in case you need it (you can get a 3pk for just $40!). Ordering Plan B ahead of time increases its effectiveness by allowing you to take it immediately following unprotected sex, or if you realize you’ve missed a dose of your birth control pills. You can also buy Plan B over the counter at a drugstore, but depending on where you live, it may be difficult to find. Ordering Plan B online ensures you have it before you actually need it.

Plan B pills are offered over the counter and are sold at drugstores, pharmacies, or grocery stores. Anyone, of any age, can access the Plan B pills if they are in stock at their local pharmacy. Most drugstores offer Plan B for $50, but you can get it through Wisp for as low as $12.50 when you buy a 6-pack!

Is Plan B sold on the shelf?

Depending on where you live, Plan B may be available in the drugstore aisle, or you may need to request it from the pharmacy staff (you do NOT need a prescription to purchase Plan B). This experience can feel uncomfortable or awkward, but it’s more than worth the awkwardness to avoid an unplanned pregnancy. However, ordering in advance from Wisp can help you ditch those unwanted birth control failure interactions, and lets you skip the “morning after” trip to the drugstore.

If you do purchase Plan B in advance, remember not to leave your morning after pills in the bathroom cabinet. Humidity, heat, and taking the pills after the expiration date are all factors that can cause Plan B to lose its efficacy over time. It is good to have some on hand, but they do expire after about four years.

How soon should I take Plan B?

Plan B pill morning after contraceptive medication can lower the chances of pregnancy by nearly 90 percent. However, its efficiency is highly dependent on timing. It’s recommended to be taken within three days of the sexual encounter you’re concerned about but can be effective up to five days later. However, the sooner the better is the best principle to ensure the pill can work effectively. It’s the top reason we recommend having a couple of pills ready just in case you ever need them by ordering ahead.

Taking Plan B is not the same as having an abortion. Plan B pills must be taken within three days (72 hours) of unprotected sex to be effective. Within this time frame, a fertilized egg has not yet implanted, and no embryo has begun to develop. Plan B cannot terminate a pregnancy that has already implanted. Plan B should not be confused with mifepristone (Mifeprex), also known as RU-486 or the “abortion pill.”

Is Plan B the same as Ella?

Ella and Plan B are both emergency contraceptives that can help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, but Ella is only available with a prescription. There’s also research that shows Levonorgestrel (the generic name of Plan B) might not work as well for women with a BMI greater than 25 or who weigh over 155 lbs. If you find you cannot access other alternatives, there’s no reason not to consider Plan B pills if they are available.

In research trials, the incidence of pregnancy was lower across all BMIs after taking the Plan B pill, so don’t assume that it will not work. However, you can check with your Wisp doctor about whether Plan B is a good option for you.

Ella is a prescription emergency contraceptive that is more effective than Plan B for those who are between 155 and 195 lbs, or up to a BMI of 30. However, it too is not effective for people who have a BMI of 35 and above and are over 195 lbs. If this is you, talk to your doctor about your emergency contraceptive and birth control options.

What else to know about Plan B pills

If you’ve never taken emergency contraception, you may be wondering what else to expect when you take Plan B. Here are a few more things to know:

Plan B may interrupt your regular cycle

You might notice irregular spotting after taking this pill, a lighter or heavier flow, or a delay in your period for a few days. This is common and nothing to worry about. It just means that it is taking your body a bit longer to return to your regular cycle.

Plan B pills are safe

They will not increase the risk of miscarriage or prevent future pregnancies. There are some side effects such as nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, or dizziness. The pills work as a second method of birth control if your usual birth control fails or was not used (it happens!).

You should not use Plan B as regular birth control

Plan B pills should not be your go-to birth control option because they are less reliable than other forms of contraception. They are deemed safe by professionals only for accidental situations. Please talk to a medical professional and get other contraceptive options, like birth control pills, if you need consistent pregnancy prevention.

You should not take additional doses of morning-after pills the same day

You should take only one dose of Plan B for each episode of unprotected sex within 24 hours. You will have a 95% chance of preventing pregnancy this way. Taking multiple doses is not going to make a difference in its effectiveness.

A typical side effect of Plan B is nausea and vomiting. If you experience vomiting shortly after taking a dose, you are good to take another Plan B pill since the last pill did not enter your system. It’s advised to take another pill if you have another episode of unprotected sex in the next two days.

Plan B will not prevent infections

Plan B pills do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They are an emergency contraceptive only. If you have engaged in unprotected sex and believe you may have been exposed to an STI, you need to visit a clinic for testing and, if deemed necessary by medical professionals, treatment. The most effective way to protect yourself from an STI is by using condoms.

Order Plan B pills in advance so you can take them as soon as accidents happen. With Wisp, you can get a 6-pack of Plan B for just $12.50 per treatment, delivered straight to your front door. No trip to the pharmacy, no waiting in line. Keep it in your medicine cabinet for yourself or a friend.

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