Description
Emergency Contraceptive (EC) comes in many different brands. Afterpill, like most over-the-counter EC, is a single-dose 1.5 mg Levonorgestrel pill that must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex (the sooner it is taken, the more likely it is to be effective). Afterpill is just one brand of single-dose Levonorgestrel EC – there are many others, such as Plan B, Preventeza, MyWay and more. Click here for the names of a number of generic versions, many of which are cheaper to purchase.
EC medications such as Afterpill or its generic counterparts are all available without a prescription. Levonorgestrel-based EC is not age restricted. It can be purchased by anyone – including minors – and can be purchased by someone of any gender identity.
It is less effective for people with a BMI over 25 (or about 155 lbs if you are 5’5), and not effective for someone with a BMI of more than 30 (180lbs at 5’5). There is no evidence that taking more than one dose of EC will be more effective if a person has a BMI of more than 25.
Afterpill and other oral emergency contraceptives will not harm an already existing pregnancy. If you are pregnant and take any of these medications, it will have no effect on a continuing pregnancy.