Top Emergency Contraception Brands You Can Trust

Emergency contraception has become an essential consideration for many, providing an option for preventing unintended pregnancies. With various brands available, it's important for consumers to choose products that are both effective and reliable. This article aims to highlight some of the leading brands in the emergency contraception market, taking into account factors such as accessibility, efficacy, and consumer reviews. For a comprehensive list of the best brands in emergency contraception, continue reading below.

Illustration of emergency contraception

Best brands of emergency contraception in 2025

Plan B One-Step

Plan B One-Step, a progestin-only emergency contraceptive, is highly effective in preventing pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, with an efficacy of over 97% if taken within 24 hours and 75%-89% if taken within three days. It is indicated for use following unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure and is available over the counter for women 17 years and older. According to the CDC, in 2006-2010, about 11% of sexually experienced women aged 15-44 had used emergency contraception, with young adult women aged 20-24 being the most likely users. Plan B One-Step is not intended for routine use as a contraceptive but serves as a reliable backup method. Its effectiveness and accessibility make it a popular choice for emergency contraception. For more detailed information, refer to the official FDA labeling document.

ella

Ella, produced by HRA Pharma, is a highly effective emergency contraception option, boasting an efficacy rate of 85% when taken within 120 hours after unprotected sex. Approved in 2010, ella contains ulipristal acetate, a selective progesterone receptor modulator that prevents or delays ovulation and may also prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with higher BMIs, outperforming other emergency contraceptives like levonorgestrel in this demographic. Ella can be taken up to 5 days after intercourse, making it a versatile choice. However, it requires a prescription and may be more expensive than other options, ranging from $50 to $105.

Take Action

Take Action is a highly effective emergency contraception option, containing the synthetic progestin hormone levonorgestrel, which prevents ovulation, fertilization, and implantation. It is most effective when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, reducing the chance of pregnancy by 75 to 89 percent. Available over the counter, Take Action is a single 1.5 mg pill that is cheaper than Plan B, costing between $35 to $40. It is not suitable for regular birth control and does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Common side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, and irregular menstrual bleeding.

My Way

My Way is a highly effective emergency contraceptive, preventing up to 84% of expected pregnancies when taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure. It contains a single 1.5 mg dose of levonorgestrel, which works by preventing ovulation, fertilization, or implantation. Available over-the-counter for women 17 years and older, My Way is a reliable backup method for birth control, though it is not intended for routine use. Clinical studies have shown that taking My Way as soon as possible after unprotected sex significantly enhances its efficacy, reducing the expected pregnancy rate from 8% to approximately 1%. It is important to note that My Way does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.

AfterPill

AfterPill is a leading brand in emergency contraception, offering a reliable and effective solution with its levonorgestrel-based pills, which have been safely used in birth control for over 35 years. When used within 72 hours after unprotected sex or birth control failure, AfterPill significantly reduces the risk of pregnancy, boasting an effectiveness rate of up to 89%. Since its FDA approval in 2006, over 20 million over-the-counter levonorgestrel emergency contraception products, including AfterPill, have been sold in the U.S.. This estrogen-free product is widely recommended by doctors for its safety and effectiveness, being most effective when used within 12 hours following unprotected sex.

Next Choice One Dose

Next Choice One Dose, a product from Foundation Consumer Healthcare LLC, is a highly effective emergency contraceptive option, containing 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel. It is designed to reduce the chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex, with an efficacy rate of up to 85% when used perfectly. According to market trends, the use of such emergency contraceptive pills has significantly increased, with 28% of sexually active women aged 15 to 44 having used them at least once by 2019, marking a substantial rise from the 4% reported in 2002. The product is available over-the-counter, contributing to its widespread use and convenience. As of 2022, the progesterone pills segment, which includes Next Choice One Dose, held the largest revenue share of 45.3% in the U.S. emergency contraceptive pills market. More detailed information about Next Choice One Dose is available on their official webpage.

Option 2

Option 2, which refers to the use of emergency contraception such as Plan B or levonorgestrel, is highly effective and widely used. According to the CDC, in 2006-2010, 11% of sexually experienced women aged 15-44 had used emergency contraception at least once, with 23% of women aged 20-24 being the most likely users. This method is most effective when used within the first 12 hours after unprotected intercourse, preventing up to 85% of pregnancies. The use of levonorgestrel, for example, reduces the expected pregnancy rate from 4% to less than 2%. It is a crucial option for preventing unintended pregnancies.

Levonelle

Levonelle, a brand of emergency contraception, is highly effective in preventing pregnancy when taken promptly after unprotected sex. Studies have shown that Levonelle One Step, which contains levonorgestrel, prevents pregnancy in 99% of cases when taken within 72 hours, with optimal effectiveness if taken within 12 hours. The pregnancy rate with levonorgestrel-based emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) is between 1.2% to 2.1%. Levonelle One Step is recommended for all women regardless of their weight or BMI, although there is some evidence suggesting reduced effectiveness with higher body weight. It is crucial to take the tablet as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse to maximize its effectiveness. For further information, please visit their official product page.

Unipristal

Ulipristal, marketed under the brand name Ella, is a highly effective emergency contraceptive that has been proven to be at least as effective as levonorgestrel when administered within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse. It maintains its effectiveness up to 120 hours, with no pregnancies reported in the 72- to 120-hour window in some studies. Ulipristal has a pregnancy rate of 0.9 to 1.8 percent when given within 72 hours, and it significantly reduces the risk of pregnancy compared to levonorgestrel, especially in the pre-ovulatory phase. Licensed in Europe since 2009, over 1.4 million courses of ulipristal acetate had been used by May 2013, demonstrating its widespread acceptance and efficacy. Its mechanism involves delaying or inhibiting ovulation and, in some cases, affecting implantation. For more detailed information, visit the American Family Physician article on Ulipristal.

EContra EZ

EContra EZ is a notable brand in the emergency contraception market, offering a progestin-only emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) that is 81-90% effective when used up to 3 days after unprotected sex. It contains 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel, a formulation recommended by the World Health Organization since 2003 for its efficacy and fewer side effects. While user reviews on Drugs.com show a mixed response with an average rating of 5.5 out of 10, the product remains a reliable option for preventing unintended pregnancies. EContra EZ is one of several brands, including Plan B One-Step and Aftera, that are widely recognized for their effectiveness in emergency contraception.