Let’s face it, no one is really trying to spend an afternoon or late night hunting through pharmacies or convenience stores to get emergency contraception (EC). Even worse, many of us probably want to avoid the awkward vibes you might get in the checkout line. At the end of the day, you just want some protection after a “whoopsie,” whether that’s because the condom broke or birth control failed, and you would rather not have to go through a bunch of hurdles to get it.
If you’re here because you Googled “How much does the morning-after pill cost?” or something similar, we’ve got you covered. We’ll break down the costs for popular brand names like Plan B One-Step and Cadence OTC’s Morning After Pill®, as well as other EC options. By the end, you’ll have all the details you need to make the best choice for your body and your budget.
How Much Does the Morning After Pill Cost?
You’ll see different prices for emergency contraception depending on the store, the brand, and how quickly you need it.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the average cost of EC:
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Plan B One-Step costs around $45-$50 at most pharmacies, grocery stores, and convenience stores.
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Morning After Pill®, Take Action, My Way, and Option 2 are all priced at $35 or more.
That’s a pretty big price difference for Plan B One Step vs. Morning After Pill®, right? It’s definitely something to keep in mind if you want to keep costs down. Regardless of whether you go for Plan B, Morning After Pill®, or one of the lower-priced offerings, the good news is that they all contain the same active ingredient, levonorgestrel, and they work the same way.
Here are a few things that can affect how much you’ll pay for over-the-counter emergency contraception:
- Plan B One Step: Brand recognition costs extra, even though the active ingredient is identical across the products listed.
- Price: Prices may shift by a few dollars between retailers or states.
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Where to buy it: Plan B, Take Action, My Way, Option 2, are available in pharmacies and major retailers, but not in convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Circle K, Speedway EG America, and grocery stores like Kroger’s.
- Morning After Pill® by Cadence OTC is available at convenience stores like Circle K, Speedway EG America, and grocery stores like Kroger’s. These have longer opening hours - Delivery or shipping fees: Ordering online might add a few bucks, but you get the added benefits of privacy and convenience if you don’t want to make a trip to the store. You can order Morning After Pill® on DoorDash and Instacart.
In short, emergency contraception is easy to get, and you can buy it over the counter anywhere in the United States without a prescription.
Compare options and learn how to buy online.
Emergency Contraception Using Levonorgestrel
EC containing 1.50 milligrams (mg) of levonorgestrel is FDA-approved for over-the-counter use and can be sold in all states without a prescription. These EC options include Plan B, Morning After Pill®, Take Action, My Way, Option 2, and Aftera. These products all act identically to delay ovulation. Plan B was the first to hit the shelves and is the most popular, having the highest name recognition.
Plan B One-Step
- Availability: Want to know where to buy Plan B? You can easily find it at major pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, as well as retailers like Target and Walmart.
- Packaging: Manufacturers often seal the box in plastic, making it hard to open. It’s usually on the shelf for easy grab, but may sometimes be behind the pharmacy counter.
- Access: Grab-and-go, no prescription or ID required.
Take Action, My Way, Option 2, and Aftera
- Effectiveness: Identical to Plan B; they’re FDA-approved, safe, and equally effective.
- Availability: Take Action, My Way, Option 2, and Aftera are available at major pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, retailers like Target and Walmart.
Morning After Pill®
- Effectiveness: It works the same way as Plan B and other EC options and is FDA-approved, safe, and just as effective.
- Availability: Morning After Pill is usually found in over 17,000 convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Circle K, and in grocery stores like Kroger's and Fred Meyer's.
When it comes to choosing between getting Plan B, Morning After Pill®, or another levonorgestrel EC tablet, your body won’t be able to detect which product was swallowed, so choose whatever works within your budget.
The Good news
You have several options for purchasing EC over the counter, and you don’t have to wait till the morning after if there is a convenience store near you.
Here’s what you need to know about getting emergency contraception in-person or online:
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Why buy in person?
- Pros: You get immediate access to the medication, and you can buy it on the spot.
- Cons: Prices can be slightly higher in-store, and stock may occasionally run low or be kept behind the counter.
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Why buy online?
- Pros: If you want to avoid the check-out line, you can buy the morning-after pill online from trusted vendors, like DoorDash.
- Amazon and other direct-to-consumer websites sometimes offer same-day delivery in some urban and semi-urban regions.
- You can also purchase morning after pills and keep them as backup in case you need them. Cadence OTC has a replacement guarantee in case they expire, and you haven’t yet used them.
- Cons: If you need it in a hurry, delays in delivery after an online purchase can introduce unnecessary stress.
Planned Parenthood, public health departments, and family planning clinics may provide emergency contraception on-site or by mail, sometimes at reduced or no cost based on your income.
If you need it ASAP, in-store pickup is the fastest way to get the morning-after pill. If you’re planning, ordering online gives you better pricing and privacy.
Buying Online: Fast, Private, and Affordable
Waiting in line to buy emergency contraception is not everyone’s idea of a fun time. More and more people are turning to online emergency contraception. It’s fast, discreet, and super convenient.
Here are a few reasons why buying online makes sense:
- Complete privacy: Orders typically come in plain, unmarked packaging.
- 24/7 availability: You can order online anytime, so there's no need to worry about closing hours or speaking with a pharmacist.
- Affordability: No need to worry about retail markup. Cadence OTC’s Morning After Pill® and other online options often cost less than buying Plan B in a store.
- Convenience: The medication ships right to your mailbox, so you’re well-prepared before you actually need it. DoorDash will deliver to your doorstep.
- Being prepared: Should you want to keep one on hand for emergencies, ordering online can save you time, money, and stress. Cadence OTC also has a replacement guarantee in case they expire, and you haven’t yet used them.
How to Save on Emergency Contraception
Not trying to shell out a bunch of money for emergency contraception? Don’t fret, here are a few easy ways to save on the morning-after pill:
- Buy wisely: Choose an alternative to Plan B, like Morning After Pill®, which is just as effective.
- Buy ahead: Prices can be lower when you’re not in a rush. Plus, you’ll avoid paying for express shipping.
- Look for discounts: Use pharmacy coupons, student discounts, or check if your insurance plan or HSA/FSA card covers it.
- Consider multi-packs: Some online retailers may sell two-packs for even lower per-pill prices.
Why Accessibility Matters
The morning-after pill isn’t just about preventing pregnancy; it’s also about having control of your reproductive health and peace of mind. Everybody deserves access to affordable, safe, and discreet options when plans don’t go as expected.
Here are a few things to remember:
- Sperm can be inside your body for more than three days, waiting for an egg to be released. Morning After Pill® can prevent the egg from being fertilized within this window. No egg → no fertilization → pregnancy.
- Emergency contraception is entirely legal and available over the counter nationwide, with no prescription requirement or age restrictions.
- Having EC on hand can already help reduce the stress of obtaining the tablet when you need it. Companies like Cadence OTC can make it easier than ever to take charge of your reproductive health without splurging or sacrificing privacy.
See how Cadence OTC makes access easier and more affordable.
FAQs About Cost and Accessibility
Still have some questions about buying the morning-after pill? Hopefully, we’ll answer them below:
Does insurance cover Plan B or Morning After Pill®?
In some cases, yes. If you have health insurance, your plan may cover Plan B, Morning After Pill®, or other EC options, but they typically require a prescription. Your best bet is to contact your insurance provider or check the drug formulary (a list of approved drugs your insurer will provide) to confirm.
Can I use my HSA/FSA card?
Yes. Emergency contraception is an eligible expense under most HSA/FSA accounts, both in-store and online. Just make sure the retailer accepts those payment types.
Does Plan B cost the same everywhere?
Not exactly. Prices vary by store, city, and state taxes. For example, Plan B cost at CVS might be $50, while a local Walmart or Amazon listing could be a few dollars cheaper. You can lower your cost by choosing an alternative, such as the Morning After Pill®, which costs around $25 in convenience stores.
Where can I get EC if I’m under 18?
Anywhere. You don’t need an ID, prescription, or age verification to buy emergency contraception over the counter. You can easily pick it up from the shelf, order it online, or collect it from the clinic, no questions asked.
Conclusion
The morning-after pill shouldn’t be complicated to get or expensive. Whether you grab a Plan B or opt for a more economical Morning After Pill® from companies like Cadence OTC, you may have safe and affordable options.
Being prepared means being empowered and knowing where (and how) to buy emergency contraception, which avoids unnecessary stress and needless worry.
Order the Morning After Pill directly from Cadence OTC for affordable, discreet access.
