Los Angeles County
Department of Public Health
Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Programs
600 S. Commonwealth Ave., 8th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90005
Tel: (213) 639-6400
FAX: (213) 639-1034
Emergency Contraception (EC) Information
Emergency contraception—Emergency
contraception is NOT a regular
method of birth control.
Emergency contraception can be
used after no birth control was
used during sex, or if the birth
control method failed, such as
if a condom broke.
Women can take emergency
contraceptive pills up to 5 days
after unprotected sex, but the
sooner the pills are taken, the
better they will work. Some
emergency contraceptive pills
are available over the counter
for women 17 years of age or
older. If younger than 17 years,
emergency contraceptive pills
are available by prescription.
In the United States, there are
two kinds of FDA-approved ECPs.
One is called Plan B One-Step.
The other is called Next Choice.
However, when used in a certain
way, some regular birth control
pills also can be used as
emergency contraception.
Plan B One-Step — Plan B
One-Step is a progestin-only ECP.
Plan B One-Step is like
progestin-only birth control
pills, but contains higher
levels of the hormone. Plan B
One-Step is a one-pill emergency
contraceptive available over the
counter for people ages 17 and
older. It must be taken within
72 hours of unprotected sex.
Next Choice — Next Choice is
also a progestin-only ECP. It is
like progestin-only birth
control pills, but has higher
levels of the hormone. Next
Choice is two pills. The first
pill should be taken as soon as
possible within 72 hours of
unprotected sex. The second pill
should be taken 12 hours after
the first pill. Next Choice is
available over the counter for
people ages 17 and older.
There are many different ways
to get Plan B One-Step™ - even
without seeing a doctor.
Call 1-800-942-1054 for a
referral and to find out if you
are eligible for free treatment
under Family PACT.
A local pharmacy:
Cost will range from $30-50 without a prescription. If you are age 17 or over, you can get Plan B One-Step™ without a prescription just by asking for it at the pharmacy and showing proof of
your age.
If you are
under age 17 or don’t have proof
of age, you can get EC from some
pharmacies. Call 1-800-521-5211
or visit www.ec-help.org to find
out which pharmacies provide
this service.
For advice and help obtaining
EC from a provider, clinic or
pharmacy near you, call the
California EC Hotline (800)
521-5211 or visit
www.not-2-late.com
Prenatal & Postnatal
