Columbia University Health Services

You can use emergency contraception (EC) after unprotected sex to help avoid unwanted pregnancy. You may need EC if:

• Sex was unplanned, unintended, or unwanted
  
• Contraceptives were not used, or used incorrectly (condom broke or slipped off)
• Diaphragm or cervical cap slipped out of place
  

Plan B (levonorgestrel), an emergency contraceptive pill, is now available without a prescription to persons 18 years of age or older. You must bring an ID with proof of your age to your pharmacy when purchasing Plan B. The cost for Plan B varies; local pharmacies charge between $31.00 - $50.00. The New York City Department of Health Riverside Clinic, at 60 West 100th Street, dispenses Plan B for free. Planned Parenthood of New York City also provides emergency contraception.

If you are under 18, you still need a prescription for Plan B. Columbia University students who are under 18 may obtain a prescription by contacting Primary Care Medical Services. When Plan B was available by prescription only, it was available to students for a discounted price. Town Drug Pharmacy still has a limited supply of discounted Plan B and will honor the current discounted price for students with prescriptions until their supply runs out. Then they will charge the comparable over-the-counter price.

The Plan B directions indicate to take one tablet of Plan B as soon as possible (and no later than 72 hours after unprotected sex) and the second tablet 12 hours later. More recent studies show that Plan B can be effective for up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex. These studies also show that taking both pills at once (rather than waiting 12 hours for the second pill) is more effective. The World Health Organization and Planned Parenthood now advocate taking Plan B up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex and taking both pills at once.

Several brands of birth control pills may be used in different doses as emergency contraception, and are available by prescription for $10.00. Contact a medical provider for this option.