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Plan B Pills - FAQs

1. Where to buy plan b emergency pill?

On August 24, 2006, FDA has approved the sale of Plan B "emergency pills" or "morning-after" birth control pills for women 18 years old and above without prescription through licensed online pharmacies only. General stores or gas stations are not allowed to sell Plan B even though prescription not required.

2. Do I need to give age proof to buy plan b?

Yes, you will need to prove your age that you are 18 years or old. FDA has given instruction to Plan B pills manufacturer, Barr Pharmaceuticals, to make sure that they are selling pills to 18 years and older women only. When you buy plan b from the licensed U.S. pharmacy, you will be required to submit any valid government identity card to prove your age. This may be applicable to order online.

3. How FDA can control the practice of selling Plan B through older siblings, friends and relatives to minors?

Well, FDA is no business to regularize the practice of selling Plan B pills to only 18 years and older men or women because it is simply not possible to check and verify each and every single sale. However, the law is enforced for the pharmacies to make sure that they are not selling Plan B pills to minors. In any case, this is more likely to be a social responsibility of the citizen to abide by the law. There could be chances, however, where teens and young girls can source Plan B pills though their older peers, friends and relatives.

4. Is Plan B pill restricted for women only?

No. Men of 18 years or older can also buy Plan B pills without prescription. However, under 18 years old men are not entitled to buy plan b birth control pills with or without prescription anyway.

5. But there are "pharmacy access" states that allow Plan B pills to be given to women without prescription.

Yes, 9 states i.e Washington, California, Hawaii, Alaska, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts have allowed of selling Plan B pills without prescription after passing the legislature that allow the licensed and well-trained pharmacists to sell Plan B pills without a doctor's prescription. In Montana state, pharmacists are selling Plan B without prescription in agreement with local physicians. FDA ruling can not change this practice as states have already passed and only they can amend the law. Every state is following their own pharmacy regulating practices.

Please also read emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) available in U.S.A.

6. Does the age factor cause the effectiveness of Plan B pills?

Initially, the age limit to sell Plan B was set at 16 but to avoid any confusion and to have uniform law practices, FDA imposed the minimum age restriction to 18 years. It was also argued that easy availability of Emergency Contraceptive Pills like Plan b might increase the chances of taking sexual freedom in the adolescents and teens.

7. In the last week, when the condom broke, I took Plan B emergency contraceptive pill in the next morning immediately. I was told that I might get bleeding after 5 days later. I got the light bleeding but not sure if it could be counted as a "bleed" because it was very light and did not last even more than a day. Would it be counted as a period?

Yes, it counts. In fact, this is not the usual period but simple bleeding or spotting.

8. I was on the birth control pills for 10 months - 6 months on one pill and 4 months on another. I stopped it in the last week due to depression. Last night, condom broke during the intercourse and I'm scared of being pregnant. However, one my friend has told me that that I might not get pregnant for atleast a month if I was taking pills for last 5 months. What's the truth about this? Should I get emergency contraceptive pills immediately?

Yes, you must take emergency contraceptive pills and it would be better if you take Plan B, which is very much effective if taken with 72 hours. In your case, chances of getting pregnant will be very less because you just had quit the pills after taking pills for several months, so your body must be under the influence of birth control pills' effectiveness but it can be fully asserted why you should not get pregnant within a month after quitting the pills. It is not possible to assert. It is, therefore, highly advisable for you to take emergency contraceptive pills right away.

You may also visit at birth control pills and Plan B pills to know more about the general information on emergency contraception and other birth control methods. The above article is for general information on emergency contraception and should not be taken as medical advice. If it is so, please consult your doctor or healthcare professional for treatment purpose.

9. What is the difference between Plan B and Abortion Pill RU-486?
It is often seen that Plan B (emergency pill) is compared with abortion pill, however both are very different in its treatment. RU-486 terminates pregnancy but only after the pregnancy is established and not more than 49 days have passed after the last menstrual period.

Plan B helps preventing unintended pregnancy after the contraception failure. It is taken within 72 hours once the unprotected intercourse has occurred. It does not anyway act as abortion pill.