Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It WorksWhat It’s Not ForWhen to UseSide EffectsEffectivenessWhere to BuyFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Works
What It’s Not For
When to Use
Side Effects
Effectiveness
Where to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
The Take Action pill is the generic form ofPlan B, a type ofemergency contraception. Taking it within 72 hours of condomless sex or a birth control failure can help prevent unintended pregnancy.
The Take Action pill is not regularcontraceptionbut is intended to be used as a backup when mistakes happen. However, Take Action may not be suitable in all situations and may increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
This article walks you through how to use the Take Action pill, when it is and isn’t a good option, the potential side effects, its effectiveness, and where to buy it.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Take Action containslevonorgestrel. That’s aprogestin(a female hormone) that’s used in manybirth control pills.
However, Take Action has more progestin than regularcombination birth control pills. It also doesn’t containestrogen(the primary female hormone).
Some debate exists over how Take Action works. A popular theory holds that itstops you from ovulating(releasing an egg).
Take Action is most effective when you use it quickly. All morning-after pills become less effective as time passes.
Take Action is most effective within 24 hours after sexual activity. It’s less effective between 24 and 48 hours afterward. After 48 hours, it’s even less effective.
Whenused properly, Take Action significantly reduces your odds of getting pregnant. Research shows it prevents about 7 of every 8 potential pregnancies.
10 Drugs That Counteract Birth Control
What It’s Not Used For
It is important to be clear about what Take Action and other morning-after pills cannot do.
The 8 Best Condoms
You can use Take Action at any time of the month. You should consider it if you:
Examples of contraception failures include:
Emergency birth control may be effective up to five days later.Even so, you should use Take Action as soon as you can. The earlier you take it, the better your odds of it working.
When used correctly, Take Action is considered safe. Still, side effects are possible. The most common ones are:
9 Non-Hormonal Birth Control Options
You’ll only know Take Action worked if you get your period. It should start within a week of when you’d normally expect it.
If you’re more than seven days late, you could be pregnant. You may want to take a home pregnancy test. If it’s positive, follow up with your healthcare provider.
Ectopic Pregnancy
Researchers suspectprogestin-only contraceptivesare linked to ectopic pregnancies. That happens when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus.
Usually, that occurs in a fallopian tube. It can rupture and cause serious internal bleeding.
This is life-threatening and requires immediate surgery. Symptoms of anectopicpregnancyinclude normal pregnancy symptoms plus:
You may have an ectopic pregnancy if:
Get emergency medical help if you suspect an ectopic pregnancy.
You can buy Take Action and other morning-after pills at a pharmacy regardless of your age. You don’t need a prescription.
Prescription for Insurance
While the morning-after pill is sold over the counter, your health insurance might cover the cost of it if you have a prescription.
Check your policy to see if it’s covered. You may want to ask your healthcare provider for a prescription ahead of time. That way, it’s available without delay if you need it.
Take Action can be bought over the counter, without a prescription, no matter your age.
Does the ACA Cover Contraception?
Buying Tips
Most pharmacies and drugstores carry Take Action. Because taking it quickly is important, you may want to call ahead to see if it’s in stock.
You may also find it helpful to buy Take Action ahead of time. Then it’s ready right away if the need arises.
Cost
Take Action usually costs about 20% less than the brand-name product Plan B One-Step.
Still, it’s among the more expensive options.
Summary
Take Action works best in the first 24 hours. The longer you wait, the less likely it is to be effective. It’s unlikely to work more than five days after you engaged in sexual activity. You’ll only know it worked if you have a period or take a pregnancy test.
You can buy Take Action without a prescription and at any age. Check to see if your insurance company covers it and under what circumstances.
A Word From Verywell
Take Action is just one option for emergency contraception. Remember that you need to act quickly, before pregnancy has a chance to begin.
While you don’t need a prescription, it’s always smart to involve a healthcare provider in your healthcare decisions. If you can’t see your regular provider right away, consider going to urgent care.
The morning-after pill is a form of emergency birth control. It can prevent pregnancy but won’t end an established pregnancy.
The morning-after pill is for use after condomless sex or birth-control failure. Failures may be:An external condom breaking or slipping off during sex activityYour NuvaRing slipping offAn expiredIUDMiscalculating your fertile and non-fertile days (when usingnatural birth control)
The morning-after pill is for use after condomless sex or birth-control failure. Failures may be:
Morning-after pills disrupt or delay ovulation or fertilization. That stops pregnancy from taking place. The pills contain either progestin (a synthetic form of the hormoneprogesterone) or anti-progestin agents.
Take Action is the generic equivalent of Plan B One-Step. Take Action costs around 20% less.
Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives like Take Action should be taken within 72 hours of condomless sex. They may work up to five days later.
After 72 hours, Ella is the most effective morning-after pill.However, it requires a prescription. Plan B and generic versions like Take Action do not. Ella also tends to work better in women with a BMI of 30 or less. It is not effective for those with a BMI of 35 or more.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Plan B One-Step (1.5 mg levonorgestrel) information.Peck R, Rella W, Tudela J, Aznar J, Mozzanega B.Does levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive have a post-fertilization effect? A review of its mechanism of action.Linacre Q. 2016;83(1):35–51. doi:10.1179/2050854915Y.0000000011National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Label: Take Action - levonorgestrel tablet.Cleland K, Raymond EG, Westley E, Trussell J.Emergency contraception review: evidence-based recommendations for clinicians.Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2014;57(4):741–750. doi:10.1097/GRF.0000000000000056UpToDate.Patient education: Emergency contraception (morning after pill) (Beyond the Basics).American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Ectopic pregnancy.Callahan R, Yacobson I, Halpern V, Nanda K.Ectopic pregnancy with use of progestin-only injectables and contraceptive implants: a systematic review.Contraception. 2015;92(6):514-22. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2015.08.016U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Emergency contraception.Yale University, Yale Health.Emergency contraception - “morning after pill”.U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Highlights of prescribing information: Ella (ulipristal acetate) tablet.Kardos L, Magyar G, Schváb E, Luczai E.Levonorgestrel emergency contraception and bodyweight.Curr Med Res Opin. 2019;35(7):1149-1155. doi:10.1080/03007995.2018.1560250Additional ReadingNoé G, Croxatto HB, Salvatierra AM, et al.Contraceptive efficacy of emergency contraception with levonorgestrel given before or after ovulation.Contraception. 2011;84(5):486-492. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2011.03.006
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Plan B One-Step (1.5 mg levonorgestrel) information.Peck R, Rella W, Tudela J, Aznar J, Mozzanega B.Does levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive have a post-fertilization effect? A review of its mechanism of action.Linacre Q. 2016;83(1):35–51. doi:10.1179/2050854915Y.0000000011National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Label: Take Action - levonorgestrel tablet.Cleland K, Raymond EG, Westley E, Trussell J.Emergency contraception review: evidence-based recommendations for clinicians.Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2014;57(4):741–750. doi:10.1097/GRF.0000000000000056UpToDate.Patient education: Emergency contraception (morning after pill) (Beyond the Basics).American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Ectopic pregnancy.Callahan R, Yacobson I, Halpern V, Nanda K.Ectopic pregnancy with use of progestin-only injectables and contraceptive implants: a systematic review.Contraception. 2015;92(6):514-22. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2015.08.016U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Emergency contraception.Yale University, Yale Health.Emergency contraception - “morning after pill”.U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Highlights of prescribing information: Ella (ulipristal acetate) tablet.Kardos L, Magyar G, Schváb E, Luczai E.Levonorgestrel emergency contraception and bodyweight.Curr Med Res Opin. 2019;35(7):1149-1155. doi:10.1080/03007995.2018.1560250Additional ReadingNoé G, Croxatto HB, Salvatierra AM, et al.Contraceptive efficacy of emergency contraception with levonorgestrel given before or after ovulation.Contraception. 2011;84(5):486-492. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2011.03.006
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Plan B One-Step (1.5 mg levonorgestrel) information.Peck R, Rella W, Tudela J, Aznar J, Mozzanega B.Does levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive have a post-fertilization effect? A review of its mechanism of action.Linacre Q. 2016;83(1):35–51. doi:10.1179/2050854915Y.0000000011National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Label: Take Action - levonorgestrel tablet.Cleland K, Raymond EG, Westley E, Trussell J.Emergency contraception review: evidence-based recommendations for clinicians.Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2014;57(4):741–750. doi:10.1097/GRF.0000000000000056UpToDate.Patient education: Emergency contraception (morning after pill) (Beyond the Basics).American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Ectopic pregnancy.Callahan R, Yacobson I, Halpern V, Nanda K.Ectopic pregnancy with use of progestin-only injectables and contraceptive implants: a systematic review.Contraception. 2015;92(6):514-22. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2015.08.016U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Emergency contraception.Yale University, Yale Health.Emergency contraception - “morning after pill”.U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Highlights of prescribing information: Ella (ulipristal acetate) tablet.Kardos L, Magyar G, Schváb E, Luczai E.Levonorgestrel emergency contraception and bodyweight.Curr Med Res Opin. 2019;35(7):1149-1155. doi:10.1080/03007995.2018.1560250
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Plan B One-Step (1.5 mg levonorgestrel) information.
Peck R, Rella W, Tudela J, Aznar J, Mozzanega B.Does levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive have a post-fertilization effect? A review of its mechanism of action.Linacre Q. 2016;83(1):35–51. doi:10.1179/2050854915Y.0000000011
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Label: Take Action - levonorgestrel tablet.
Cleland K, Raymond EG, Westley E, Trussell J.Emergency contraception review: evidence-based recommendations for clinicians.Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2014;57(4):741–750. doi:10.1097/GRF.0000000000000056
UpToDate.Patient education: Emergency contraception (morning after pill) (Beyond the Basics).
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Ectopic pregnancy.
Callahan R, Yacobson I, Halpern V, Nanda K.Ectopic pregnancy with use of progestin-only injectables and contraceptive implants: a systematic review.Contraception. 2015;92(6):514-22. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2015.08.016
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Emergency contraception.
Yale University, Yale Health.Emergency contraception - “morning after pill”.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA AccessData.Highlights of prescribing information: Ella (ulipristal acetate) tablet.
Kardos L, Magyar G, Schváb E, Luczai E.Levonorgestrel emergency contraception and bodyweight.Curr Med Res Opin. 2019;35(7):1149-1155. doi:10.1080/03007995.2018.1560250
Noé G, Croxatto HB, Salvatierra AM, et al.Contraceptive efficacy of emergency contraception with levonorgestrel given before or after ovulation.Contraception. 2011;84(5):486-492. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2011.03.006
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
