Top Picks for Emergency Contraceptive Pills Brands

In today's fast-paced world, ensuring reliable access to emergency contraceptive pills is more important than ever. Various brands offer options to meet the urgent needs of individuals seeking peace of mind and control over their reproductive health. Understanding which brands are reputable and effective is key to making informed decisions in critical moments. To help you navigate your options, we've compiled a comprehensive list of the best brands for emergency contraceptive pills below.

Illustration of emergency contraceptive pills

Best brands of emergency contraceptive pills in 2025

Plan B One-Step

Plan B One-Step, produced by Foundation Consumer Healthcare, is a highly effective emergency contraceptive pill that can prevent pregnancy in up to 87% of cases if taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It is available over-the-counter for women 17 years and older and is the most widely used emergency contraception in the U.S., featuring a single 1.5 mg levonorgestrel tablet taken as soon as possible after the incident. The medication operates by stopping or delaying the release of an egg from the ovary and is not intended for routine use as a contraceptive. Plan B One-Step was approved by the FDA for nonprescription use without age restrictions in 2013 and is recognized for its market dominance despite being one of the highest-priced over-the-counter medications, averaging $45 per dose. It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections and will not end an already established pregnancy. For further details about Plan B One-Step, visit Medical News Today.

Ella

Ella, a brand of ulipristal acetate, is a highly effective emergency contraceptive pill, reducing the pregnancy rate from an expected 5.5% to an observed 2.2% when taken 48 to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse, and from 5.6% to 1.9% when taken within 72 hours. It is the only hormonal emergency contraceptive effective beyond 72 hours, with a unique five-day window of efficacy and an acceptable safety profile. Ella works by preventing or delaying ovulation and making it harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus. It is available as a single 30 mg oral tablet and is prescribed for use after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Ella has been shown to be more effective than other emergency contraceptives containing progestin and estrogen or progestin only.

Take Action

Take Action is a highly regarded brand for emergency contraceptive pills, offering a reliable and effective solution with the same active ingredient, levonorgestrel, as Plan B. It works by preventing ovulation, fertilization, and implantation, with an efficacy rate of 75 to 89% when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. This generic version is cheaper than Plan B, priced between $35 to $40, making it more accessible. Take Action is available over-the-counter and can be purchased without a prescription, contributing to its widespread use. According to recent data, the use of emergency contraceptive pills like Take Action has increased significantly, with 28% of sexually active women aged 15-44 reporting use at least once in their lives between 2017 and 2019. For more details on the effectiveness and comparison with similar products, visit Take Action vs. Plan B on Healthline.

My Way

My Way is a highly effective emergency contraceptive pill, containing 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel, which can prevent up to 84% of expected pregnancies when taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure. It is available over-the-counter for women 17 years and older and by prescription for those younger than 17. The pill works by stopping or delaying the release of an egg from the ovary. Common side effects include heavier menstrual bleeding, nausea, lower abdominal pain, fatigue, and headache. My Way is not intended for routine use as a contraceptive and does not protect against STIs or HIV. For more detailed information, visit the My Way information page.

Option 2

Option 2 is a notable brand in the emergency contraceptive market, offering levonorgestrel-based pills that are effective up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. Although it has a lower user rating of 5.6 out of 10 compared to Plan B One-Step, it still serves as a viable option for emergency contraception. The pills are available over-the-counter and can be used as a backup method of birth control, with a mechanism that delays or prevents ovulation. Despite the lower user satisfaction, Option 2 remains a part of the growing U.S. emergency contraceptive pills market, which was valued at USD 3.4 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.24% from 2023 to 2030. For a detailed comparison with Plan B One-Step, you can visit their comparison page.

AfterPill

AfterPill, a brand of emergency contraceptive pills, is recognized for its effectiveness and convenience, containing the same active ingredient, levonorgestrel, as other popular brands like Plan B. It is designed to prevent ovulation and can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, with an efficacy rate similar to other progestin-only ECPs, ranging from 1.2% to 2.1% pregnancy rate. The use of such ECPs has significantly increased over the last two decades, with 28% of sexually active women aged 15 to 44 having used them at least once by 2019. AfterPill is part of a market that is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.24% from 2023 to 2030, reaching USD 5.1 billion by 2030. Its availability and the rising demand for accessible emergency contraception options contribute to its popularity.

Next Choice One Dose

Next Choice One Dose, a brand of levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive pills, is highly regarded for its effectiveness and convenience. It reduces the chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex, with an efficacy rate of up to 85% when used perfectly. The use of emergency contraceptive pills like Next Choice has seen significant growth, with 28% of sexually active women aged 15 to 44 having used them at least once in their lives by 2019, a substantial rise from the 4% reported in 2002. This brand is part of a market expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.24% from 2023 to 2030, reaching USD 5.1 billion by 2030. The progesterone pills segment, which includes Next Choice, held the largest revenue share of 45.3% in 2022.

EContra EZ

EContra EZ is a notable brand for emergency contraceptive pills, containing 1.5mg of levonorgestrel, which is effective up to 72 hours after unprotected intercourse with an 89% success rate in preventing pregnancy. It is available over-the-counter (OTC) and is recommended to be taken as soon as possible after the incident. The product has received mixed reviews, with an average rating of 5.5 out of 10 from 20 reviews, indicating varied user experiences. EContra EZ does not protect against HIV/AIDS or STDs and may have interactions with certain drugs like barbiturates and herbal products. It is not intended for use as a regular contraceptive. For more detailed information, visit the EContra EZ product page.

My Choice

My Choice is a notable brand in the emergency contraceptive pills market, known for its high efficacy and convenience. Progestin-only emergency contraceptive pills like those from My Choice, which contain levonorgestrel, are effective in reducing the likelihood of pregnancy by 81% to 90% when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. These pills are widely available over-the-counter and have been increasingly used, with 28% of women ages 15 to 44 reporting use at least once in their lives between 2017 and 2019. The progestin-only regimen has an effectiveness rate of 89%, making it a reliable option for emergency contraception. The market for such pills is expected to grow, driven by increasing awareness and the need for effective contraception options.

Preventeza

Preventeza, a brand of emergency contraceptive pills, is highly regarded for its effectiveness and convenience. It contains levonorgestrel, a progestin-only hormone, which is 81-90% effective in preventing pregnancy when used within 72 hours after unprotected sex. This efficacy rate makes it a reliable option for emergency contraception. Preventeza is available over-the-counter, enhancing its accessibility. The product is part of the broader market that saw significant growth, with the U.S. emergency contraceptive pills market estimated at USD 3.4 billion in 2022 and expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.24% until 2030. For more information, you can visit the official Preventeza website.