You Need Emergency Contraception — Here's How to Find It Fast

When you need emergency contraception, time matters. Afterpill and other levonorgestrel-based morning-after pills work best when taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse — and the sooner, the better.

The challenge? Afterpill itself is primarily sold online, and other levonorgestrel brands can sometimes be out of stock at your nearest pharmacy. Whether it's high demand, limited shelf space, or confusing brand names, finding emergency contraception in stock can feel harder than it should be.

This guide gives you practical, step-by-step tips to find Afterpill — or an identical alternative — as quickly as possible.

Understanding Your Options

Before we dive into how to find it, let's be clear about what you're looking for. Afterpill contains Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg, the same active ingredient in:

• Plan B One-Step (~$40-50)
• Take Action (~$25-40)
• My Way (~$20-40)
• EContra One-Step (~$20-35)
• Option 2, New Day, React

All of these are medically identical. If a pharmacy doesn't have Afterpill specifically, any of these products will work the same way. Don't let brand names slow you down.

For a full breakdown of these options, see our post on what Afterpill is and how it's used.

Tip 1: Use Medfinder to Check Pharmacy Stock

Medfinder is a free tool that helps you check which pharmacies near you have medications in stock — including emergency contraceptives like Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg.

Here's how to use it:

1. Go to medfinder.com
2. Search for "Levonorgestrel" or "emergency contraception"
3. Enter your zip code
4. See which nearby pharmacies have it available

This saves you from driving to multiple pharmacies or making a dozen phone calls. It's especially useful if you live in a rural area or if nearby chain pharmacies are sold out.

You can also check out our detailed walkthrough: how to check if a pharmacy has Afterpill in stock.

Tip 2: Try Independent and Community Pharmacies

When the big chains are sold out, independent pharmacies can be a lifesaver. Here's why:

• Less foot traffic means popular products stay in stock longer
• More flexible ordering — independent pharmacists can often special-order products for same-day or next-day availability
• Personalized service — they may be more willing to help you find alternatives or call other locations

Don't overlook grocery store pharmacies (Kroger, H-E-B, Publix) and warehouse pharmacies (Costco, Sam's Club) either. They often stock emergency contraception and may have lower prices than chain drugstores.

Tip 3: Call Ahead and Go During Off-Peak Hours

A quick phone call can save you a wasted trip. Call the pharmacy and ask:

"Do you have Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg emergency contraception in stock? Any brand is fine."

Asking for the generic name rather than a specific brand increases your chances of getting a "yes."

If you can, try to visit during off-peak hours — early morning on weekdays or late evening. You'll get faster service and the pharmacist will have more time to help if there are any issues.

What If You Still Can't Find It?

If levonorgestrel is genuinely unavailable in your area, you still have options:

Order Afterpill Online

If you're within a window where shipping time allows, order directly from AfterPill.com. At about $20 plus $5 shipping, it's the most affordable option. Some online pharmacies also carry levonorgestrel products with faster shipping.

Ask About Ella (Ulipristal Acetate)

Ella is a different type of emergency contraceptive that works for up to 5 days (120 hours). It requires a prescription, but many telehealth services like Nurx, PRJKT RUBY, or Planned Parenthood Direct can prescribe it quickly — sometimes with same-day pharmacy pickup.

Ella may also be a better option if you weigh over 165 lbs, as levonorgestrel's effectiveness decreases at higher body weights. Learn more in our alternatives to Afterpill guide.

Visit a Clinic

Planned Parenthood, community health centers, and Title X clinics often have emergency contraception on-site and may provide it for free or at a reduced cost. Many urgent care clinics can also help.

Consider a Copper IUD

The Paragard copper IUD is the most effective form of emergency contraception when inserted within 5 days of unprotected intercourse. It's over 99% effective and also provides ongoing contraception for up to 10 years. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether this option makes sense for you.

Plan Ahead When You Can

One of the best strategies is to have emergency contraception on hand before you need it. Afterpill was designed with this in mind — their advance provision model lets you buy a dose for about $25 and keep it in your medicine cabinet.

Levonorgestrel tablets have a shelf life of several years when stored at room temperature, so they'll be ready whenever you need them.

For tips on keeping costs down, check out our post on how to save money on Afterpill.

Final Thoughts

Finding Afterpill specifically can be tricky because it's sold online rather than at retail pharmacies. But Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg — the exact same medication — is widely available under many brand names.

Your best bet is to use Medfinder to check local stock, call pharmacies ahead of time, and remember that any levonorgestrel 1.5 mg product will work identically. In an emergency, don't wait for a specific brand — get whatever is available and take it as soon as possible.