How Much Does Plan B Morning-After Pill Cost?

Updated on September 4, 2026 | Written by Alec Pow
This article was researched using 9 sources. See our methodology and corrections policy.

Plan B One-Step currently costs about $40 to $50 for one 1.5 mg tablet. Walmart lists the brand-name product at $46.87, while CVS currently charges $49.99. Generic levonorgestrel emergency contraception usually costs about $11 to $45, making a generic potentially much cheaper than the Plan B brand.

Plan B One-Step is a single-dose emergency contraceptive. One package contains the complete standard dose. You do not need to buy a second package or take another pill 12 hours later as part of the normal Plan B One-Step regimen.

It is sold over the counter in the United States with no prescription, ID, or age requirement. It is intended as backup contraception after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure, not as a replacement for regular birth control.

Article Highlights

• Brand-name Plan B One-Step generally costs about $40 to $50 (at $30 per hour, earning that amount would take about 1.3 to 1.7 hours of work, before taxes).
• Walmart currently lists Plan B at $46.87.
• CVS currently lists Plan B at $49.99.
• Generic levonorgestrel emergency contraception usually costs around $11 to $45.
• Plan B One-Step contains one 1.5 mg levonorgestrel tablet taken once.
• You do not need two Plan B One-Step packages for the standard dose.
• No prescription, ID, or minimum age is required to buy Plan B in the United States.
• The FDA says Plan B works primarily by delaying or inhibiting ovulation.
• Plan B does not terminate or harm an existing pregnancy.
• The sooner emergency contraception is taken after unprotected sex, the better it works.

How Much Does Plan B Cost?

Emergency contraception option	Current price	What you get
Plan B One-Step at Walmart	$46.87 (about 1.6 hours of work at $30 per hour)	One 1.5 mg levonorgestrel tablet
Plan B One-Step at CVS	$49.99	One 1.5 mg levonorgestrel tablet
Generic levonorgestrel	About $11–$45	Same 1.5 mg active ingredient
AfterPill generic	$20 + $5 shipping	Online levonorgestrel emergency contraception
Current Plan B manufacturer savings	$10 off	Coupon or mobile rebate subject to terms

Walmart currently sells Plan B One-Step for $46.87. The package contains one 1.5 mg levonorgestrel tablet.

CVS currently lists Plan B One-Step at $49.99.

Planned Parenthood’s current emergency contraception pricing guidance puts brand-name Plan B around $40 to $50, while generic levonorgestrel pills generally cost about $11 to $45.

That makes the brand premium significant. Comparing CVS’s $49.99 Plan B price with an $11 generic:

$49.99 – $11 = $38.99

The $11 option costs about 78% less than the $49.99 branded example.

Price alone does not change the active ingredient. FDA-approved generic equivalents contain levonorgestrel 1.5 mg and are approved for over-the-counter emergency contraception.

One Pill, Not Two

The biggest correction to older Plan B information is the dose.

Plan B One-Step is one tablet containing 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel, taken once.

The FDA’s current Plan B One-Step information explains why older websites sometimes give different instructions.

The original product called Plan B used two 0.75 mg tablets taken 12 hours apart. That original formulation was discontinued. Plan B One-Step replaced it with a single 1.5 mg tablet.

That means someone buying a current $46.87 (about 1.6 hours of work at $30 per hour) Plan B One-Step package does not normally need to spend another $46.87 on a second box.

The incorrect two-box calculation would be:

$46.87 × 2 = $93.74

The correct standard Plan B One-Step medication cost in that Walmart example is $46.87.

A second dose may occasionally be discussed with a healthcare professional for a specific reason, such as vomiting soon after taking the medication, but it is not part of the routine one-dose regimen.

How Plan B Works

Plan B is emergency contraception, not an abortion medication.

The FDA updated Plan B labeling after reviewing the available scientific evidence. Its current explanation is that levonorgestrel emergency contraception works before ovulation by delaying or inhibiting the release of an egg from the ovary.

The FDA specifically says current evidence does not support a direct effect on fertilization or implantation.

Plan B will not terminate an existing pregnancy and will not work once someone is already pregnant. The FDA also states that it does not affect an established pregnancy.

The manufacturer’s current Plan B mechanism explanation likewise describes it as temporarily delaying ovulation.

This makes old descriptions claiming that Plan B prevents implantation inaccurate and unsuitable for current patient information.

When Should Plan B Be Taken?

The Plan B product instructions say to take the single tablet as soon as possible within 72 hours, or three days, after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Earlier use is better because effectiveness decreases with time.

Current CDC emergency contraception guidance provides a broader clinical window. Emergency contraceptive pills should be taken as soon as possible within five days of unprotected sex.

There is an important distinction. Levonorgestrel emergency contraception can still reduce pregnancy risk later in that five-day window, but studies show declining effectiveness as more time passes. Ulipristal acetate is more effective than levonorgestrel during days three through five.

If more than 72 hours have passed, contacting a pharmacist, clinician, or reproductive-health provider promptly can help determine whether another emergency contraception option is more appropriate.

The copper IUD is also used as emergency contraception and is the most effective option according to current clinical guidance, but it involves a completely different procedure and cost structure.

Does Weight Affect Plan B?

Body weight is another reason not to treat every emergency contraception situation identically.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes that levonorgestrel emergency contraception may be less effective in people who are overweight or have obesity.

That does not mean someone should be denied levonorgestrel emergency contraception because of weight. ACOG says oral emergency contraception should not be withheld on that basis.

However, the copper IUD is not affected by body weight, and ulipristal acetate may be more effective than levonorgestrel in some situations.

If timing, body weight, medication interactions, or another medical issue raises uncertainty, getting prompt advice matters more than spending extra money simply to buy the Plan B brand name.

The Generic Can Save the Most

For many buyers, the biggest money-saving decision is simply choosing generic levonorgestrel instead of the Plan B brand.

FDA-approved generics contain the same active ingredient at the same 1.5 mg dose. Common names include Take Action, My Way, My Choice, Option 2, Aftera, and other store or manufacturer brands.

Planned Parenthood currently puts generic prices at about $11 to $45.

Consider three purchase scenarios:

Case 1: CVS Plan B. One branded dose costs $49.99.

Case 2: Walmart Plan B. One branded dose costs $46.87, saving $3.12 compared with the CVS example.

Case 3: $20 generic. The same active ingredient at a $20 generic price saves $26.87 compared with Walmart Plan B and $29.99 compared with CVS Plan B.

For emergency contraception, availability and timing also have value. Saving $10 by waiting several days for shipping is not necessarily a good trade when effectiveness is greater the sooner the medication is taken.

A locally available $25 generic taken promptly can therefore make more sense than a cheaper product that will not arrive soon enough.

Coupons, Insurance, and Other Savings

The Plan B manufacturer currently offers a savings program. Its Plan B coupon page links to current rebate and coupon options.

The manufacturer’s healthcare-professional resources currently describe two ways to save $10, through a mobile rebate or coupon, subject to program terms.

Applying $10 to the current Walmart price gives:

$46.87 – $10 = $36.87

Applying the same savings amount to the current CVS price gives:

$49.99 – $10 = $39.99

A generic may still be cheaper even after that discount.

Insurance coverage varies. Some health plans cover over-the-counter emergency contraception, but plan rules can affect whether a prescription or pharmacy claim is needed for reimbursement. HSA and FSA funds may also be usable for eligible emergency contraception purchases.

Planned Parenthood and other family-planning clinics may provide lower-cost or no-cost emergency contraception depending on location, coverage, income, and available programs. For a broader look at clinic-based contraception pricing, see our guide to the cost of birth control at Planned Parenthood.

Hidden Costs and Things to Know

Plan B itself usually has no mandatory medical visit attached to the purchase because it is available over the counter. A healthcare visit can become an additional cost if pregnancy testing, STI testing, contraceptive counseling, or another medical concern needs evaluation.

Plan B does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.

Common reported side effects include nausea, lower abdominal cramps, tiredness, headache, dizziness, breast tenderness, vomiting, and changes in the timing or flow of the next period.

The manufacturer’s current Plan B instructions and FAQ say that if vomiting occurs within two hours after taking the tablet, contact a healthcare professional to determine whether the dose should be repeated.

The next period may arrive earlier or later than expected. The manufacturer advises taking a pregnancy test and following up with a healthcare professional if the period is more than a week late.

CDC guidance also advises a pregnancy test if there is no withdrawal bleed within three weeks after emergency contraceptive pill use.

Certain medications and herbal products can reduce levonorgestrel effectiveness, including some seizure medications, rifampin, St. John’s wort, and certain HIV treatments. A pharmacist or clinician can help identify an interaction quickly.

What We Verified

• Checked: Walmart currently lists Plan B One-Step at $46.87 and CVS at $49.99.
• Confirmed: Planned Parenthood currently puts generic levonorgestrel emergency contraception around $11 to $45.
• Cross-referenced: FDA guidance confirms that Plan B One-Step is one 1.5 mg tablet taken once, not two routine doses 12 hours apart.
• Verified: no prescription, ID, or age minimum is required to buy Plan B One-Step in the United States.
• Checked: FDA’s current mechanism explanation says Plan B works by delaying or inhibiting ovulation and does not directly affect implantation or an established pregnancy.
• Confirmed: CDC recommends taking emergency contraceptive pills as soon as possible within five days, while Plan B’s labeled window is within 72 hours and sooner is better.

Related Contraception Costs

Plan B is only one emergency contraception option. Our guide to the cost of morning-after pills compares Plan B and other emergency contraception choices. For ongoing contraception, see current Planned Parenthood birth control costs. People considering a non-hormonal fertility-awareness approach can also compare the cost of Natural Cycles.

Answers to Common Questions

How much does Plan B cost?

Brand-name Plan B One-Step currently costs about $40 to $50. Walmart lists it at $46.87 and CVS at $49.99. Generic levonorgestrel emergency contraception commonly costs about $11 to $45.

Do I need to buy two Plan B pills?

No. Current Plan B One-Step contains one 1.5 mg tablet, and that one tablet is the standard complete dose. The old two-dose Plan B product was discontinued.

Can anyone buy Plan B?

Yes. In the United States, Plan B One-Step is sold over the counter without a prescription, ID, or age restriction.

Does Plan B cause an abortion?

No. FDA says Plan B works before ovulation by delaying or inhibiting release of an egg. It does not terminate an existing pregnancy and evidence does not support a direct effect on implantation.

How soon should Plan B be taken?

The product directions say to take Plan B as soon as possible within 72 hours after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Earlier use is better. Other emergency contraception options can be used within five days, so seek prompt advice if more than 72 hours have passed.

Is generic Plan B the same?

FDA-approved generic levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives contain the same 1.5 mg active ingredient and can cost considerably less than the Plan B brand.

What if I vomit after taking Plan B?

If vomiting occurs within two hours after taking Plan B, contact a healthcare professional to find out whether another dose is needed.