The birth control pill you can buy over the counter

Is there a non-prescription birth control pill?

So far, the FDA has approved only one type of pill. On July 13, 2023, the FDA approved the first daily oral contraceptive for use in the United States without a prescription. The FDA is the federal Food and Drug Administration. Oral means you take it by mouth, and a contraceptive is a medicine that helps prevent pregnancy.

This pill is progestin-only, which means it has one hormone. A progestin is a man-made form of a hormone your body makes naturally. It contains 0.075 mg of one progestin called norgestrel. According to the FDA, the pill's ability to prevent pregnancy was established when it was first approved by prescription in 1973.

The FDA says the pill can be bought at drug stores, convenience stores and grocery stores, and online. We do not name brands on this page. Ask the pharmacist at the counter if you are not sure which product on the shelf is the one approved for use without a prescription.

This page is general information and is not medical advice. A doctor, nurse or pharmacist can help you decide which birth control method fits you. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

How the pill works and how to take it

Take the pill at the same time every day, as the FDA advises. Timing matters for how well the pill works. Many people set a daily phone alarm or keep the pack next to something they use every morning.

Other medicines can interact with the pill and make it work less well, the FDA also says. An interaction means that two medicines affect each other. Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every medicine you take, including ones you buy without a prescription. Do not take this pill together with other hormonal birth control.

Irregular bleeding, headaches, dizziness, nausea, increased appetite, stomach pain, cramps and bloating are the most common side effects the FDA lists. If a side effect bothers you or does not go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you stop.

Who should not use it without talking to a doctor

The FDA says people who have or have ever had breast cancer should not use this pill. People who have had any other kind of cancer should ask a doctor first. When you are not sure whether the pill is safe for you, ask a pharmacist, a nurse or a doctor before you buy it.

Take a pregnancy test if you miss two periods, or if you miss one period and have also missed pills, the FDA also says. If you are pregnant, stop taking the pill and talk to a doctor. Our guide on prenatal care without insurance explains how to get care during pregnancy.

What the pill does not do

It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, which are infections passed through sex. The FDA says oral contraceptives do not protect against HIV, and it recommends condoms for protection from infections.

This pill is also not a form of emergency contraception. Emergency contraception is a medicine used after sex that was not protected, and this pill does not prevent pregnancy after the fact. If you need emergency contraception, ask a pharmacist or a clinic right away about what is available near you.

It is also a different product from the combination pill. A combination pill has two hormones and still needs a prescription. The FDA says other oral contraceptive pills remain available only by prescription.

Questions to ask the pharmacist

A pharmacist is trained to answer questions about medicines, and you do not need an appointment. Begin by asking whether the product in your hand is the progestin-only pill that the FDA approved for use without a prescription. You can also ask whether any of your other medicines could change how well it works. A third good question is what to do if you take a pill late or miss one. The package label says that if you are more than 3 hours late or miss a pill, you should take one as soon as you remember. It also says to use a condom every time you have sex for the next 2 days.

Ask the pharmacist to write down the name of the product so you buy the same one next time. People who take other daily medicines can ask whether the pharmacist can help set up a routine that includes the pill. A pharmacist can also tell you when a question is better for a doctor or nurse, and then you can book a visit.

The cost without insurance

The FDA says the company that makes the pill sets its price and decides when it becomes available. We could not find a trusted national price from a government agency or a research group, so we do not quote one. Prices can differ between stores and online sellers, and the number of pills in a pack can differ too.

Compare the cost per month instead of only the price on the box. To do that, write down the number of weeks of pills in each pack, then divide the price by that number. Our guide on how to ask for the cash price can help when you call. Our guide on birth control without insurance covers other costs, including IUDs.

Other places to get birth control

Some people prefer a different method, or they want help choosing one. A visit with a clinician can cost less than expected at the right place.

• A Title X family planning clinic charges by income, and the care is free for people at or below the federal poverty level. Call first, because some clinics have changed their services.
• A community health center charges on a sliding scale, which means the price depends on your income. Read our guide on community health centers to find one.
• A local health department may also run a family planning clinic.
• A cash-pay doctor can talk with you about your options and write a prescription if you need one. Our directory lets you search for a cash-pay doctor near you.