Online Rx Retailers
Online sources for emergency contraception are often more cost effective than purchasing at a pharmacy. However, it is important to consider timing when ordering.
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Purchasing online is a great way to keep a dose readily available in case you need it at a later date; considering the timing since last unprotected sex before ordering. It may feel daunting to order medication online. There are several trusted sources you may want to check out for ordering:
Nurx
PRJKT RUBY
Winx Health
Wisp
Planned Parenthood
DirectJulie
Hey Jane
Over the Counter: Pharmacies & Grocery Stores
Anyone, regardless of age or sex, should be able to grab a box of over-the-counter EC medication (LNG EC pills) right off the shelf and head to check out. Easy peasy.
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FDA regulatory guidelines require single-dose LNG EC pills, including popular brands like Plan B One-Step, Take Action, or Julie, to be available over the counter to purchase — without a prescription, age requirement, or gender restrictions. Some locations may require a staff member to open a lock box in order to purchase.
Good To Know
You can call your local pharmacy in advance to check which EC products are in stock and the willingness of the pharmacist to provide EC for purchase. Aside from smaller, independent or local retailers, most large-scale chain pharmacies and grocery stores follow the same accessibility policies:
- Photo ID is not required to purchase EC
- There are no age restrictions to purchase EC
- Consultations are not required to purchase EC
Prescription Only: Primary Care Doctors & Telemedicine
The most effective EC pill (UPA EC), commonly known as ella®, is available by prescription only and would require either an in-person doctor's office or telemedicine visit. After a prescription has been issued, the medication can be picked up at a pharmacy or to be shipped to you.
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ella®
The most effective EC pill (UPA EC), commonly known as ella®, is available by prescription only and would require either an in-person doctor's office or telemedicine visit. After a prescription has been issued, the medication can be picked up at a pharmacy or to be shipped to you.
Good to Know: Accessing ella® may not be the fastest option considering EC is most effective at delaying ovulation when taken within 5 days of unprotected or unwanted sex. You can request an advanced provision prescription from your healthcare provider to have ella® filled for future use – so that you have EC readily available at home when you need it.
IUDs
As the most effective form of EC (99% effective at preventing pregnancy), IUDs or LARCs can double as long-term birth control with up to a decade of coverage. An IUD can be used to delay ovulation when installed up to 5 days after unprotected or unwanted sex.
Good to Know:IUDs can be expensive without insurance and require a medical visit for the device to be installed. If you do not have insurance, sexual health clinics like Planned Parenthood and other community clinics, may offer low cost IUD services.
Colleges & Community Clinics
Local family planning or sexual health clinics are a great source for both over-the-counter and prescription-based emergency contraception.
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Community Health Clinics: Local family planning or sexual health clinics are a great source for both over-the-counter and prescription-based emergency contraception. Some clinics even offer the product at a discount or free of charge. To find a health clinic near you consider using trusted sites like bedsider.org or plannedparenthood.org. For Students:Campus health centers typically stock emergency contraception, including over-the-counter EC pills (LNG EC) and prescription-only products (ella®). Colleges often outline what clinical and primary care services are available to students and staff through the campus health center’s website.
Good to Know: Search online, call, or visit your university’s health center in-person to learn more about the sexual and reproductive health services offered on your campus. Check whether your school offers a student health plan. In most cases, enrollment in a student health plan counts as basic insurance to cover or offset the cost of university health services. Connect with reproductive justice groups on your campus. Student groups nationwide organize FREE peer-to-peer EC distribution networks including:
Advocates for Youth
Planned Parenthood
Generation Action
Emergency Contraception for Every Campus
