Is Plan B Available Over-the-Counter?

There are a number of reasons why you may think that you could be pregnant. Perhaps you are on birth control pill but forgot to take one or more pills prior to having sexual intercourse. Maybe you're not on the pill and use condoms, but one broke or slid off during sex. No matter the case, there is a chance that you may want to consider a backup method of contraception to prevent pregnancy. Plan B, which is otherwise known as the Morning After Pill, is one option to consider. But where you can buy this backup method of birth control?

Is Plan B Available Over-the-Counter?

The Morning After Pill is available over-the-counter. It can generally be purchased anywhere there is a pharmacy, such as CVS, Rite Aid, Target, and Wal-Mart. There are a few things that you will want to keep in mind when purchasing Plan B at a drugstore.

1. You must be seventeen years old or older to purchase Plan B without a prescription. If you are under the age of seventeen, you will need a prescription to buy the Morning After Pill. This means that you will need to visit a private or public health clinic.

2. Drugstores do not stock the Morning After Pill on their shelves, so it will not be found in one of the aisles. You must ask someone behind the pharmacy counter, such as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician, for Plan B.

3. To prove that you are old enough to purchase Plan B over-the-counter without a prescription, you will need to show ID. Be sure to bring your driver's license.

4. While Plan B is only intended for a woman to use, it can be purchased over-the-counter by both women and men.

Where Else Can You Get the Morning After Pill?

Although drugstores are often the most convenient place to purchase Plan B, it is important to keep in mind that the Morning After Pill is also available at many health clinics. Planned Parenthood is one of the locations where you can purchase Plan B. Keep in mind that while you can purchase it for a lower cost at Planned Parenthood and similar clinics, you will often need to undergo a counseling session as well.

While Plan B is available for purchase over-the-counter, it is important to keep in mind that there are limitations. It can only be sold without a prescription to women and men who are 17 years old or older. If you are not at least 17 years old, you will need to visit a doctor for a prescription and may want to consider visiting Planned Parenthood to get the Morning After Pill at a lower cost.

Source:

Planned Parenthood, "Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)."