How long before Plan B goes bad? Your guide to emergency contraception expiration

October 13, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the official manufacturer, Plan B One-Step typically has a shelf life of four years when stored properly. Knowing how long before Plan B goes bad and how to check its expiration date is crucial for ensuring its effectiveness during a time-sensitive emergency.

Quick Summary

Plan B, or levonorgestrel-based emergency contraception, generally expires about four years after manufacture. The expiration date is printed on the box, and using the pill after this date is not recommended due to decreased effectiveness, though it's not considered harmful. Proper storage is essential to maintain its potency until the expiration date.

Key Points

Typical Expiration: Plan B (levonorgestrel-based) products typically have a shelf life of around four years, while Ella (ulipristal acetate) expires after three years.
Check the Date: The expiration date is printed on the side of the box and is the definitive guide for when the medication is guaranteed to be effective.
Reduced Effectiveness: Using expired Plan B is not recommended because its potency decreases over time, making it less effective at preventing pregnancy.
Proper Storage is Key: Storing the medication in a cool, dry place away from light, heat, and moisture helps preserve its effectiveness until the expiration date.
Prioritize New Medication: If your Plan B is expired, purchase a new dose immediately rather than risking the uncertainty of a less-effective pill.
Consider Alternatives: Other emergency contraception options are available, such as Ella, which may be more effective for certain individuals or when taken longer after unprotected sex.

The Typical Shelf Life of Plan B

Plan B One-Step and its generic counterparts, which contain the active ingredient levonorgestrel, are designed to have a stable shelf life of approximately four years. This duration is set by the manufacturer and approved by the FDA based on stability testing. The expiration date indicates the final point at which the product is guaranteed to be fully potent and effective when stored correctly. For this reason, stocking up on emergency contraception is a common practice, but it's essential to monitor the expiration date to ensure the medication works when it's needed most.

Locating the Expiration Date

Before purchasing or using Plan B, always check the packaging. The expiration date is clearly printed on the side of the box and on the foil or bottle containing the pill. The date is usually listed with a month and a year. The medication expires on the last day of the month indicated.

The Problem with Expired Emergency Contraception

Taking expired medication is generally not recommended, especially when the effectiveness of the drug is as critical as it is for emergency contraception. Here's what you need to know about taking expired Plan B:

Decreased Efficacy: While taking expired Plan B is not known to be dangerous, the active ingredient, levonorgestrel, degrades over time. This means its ability to delay or prevent ovulation is diminished, making the pill significantly less effective at preventing pregnancy.
Time-Sensitive Treatment: Plan B's effectiveness is already highest when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex and decreases over time, even before expiration. Using an expired pill adds another layer of uncertainty to an already time-sensitive situation.
Other Options are Safer: If faced with an expired Plan B pill, the safest course of action is to obtain a new, non-expired dose. Generic brands like Take Action or My Way, which contain the same active ingredient, are widely available and often less expensive. There are also other emergency contraception methods, such as Ella (ulipristal acetate), which requires a prescription but may be more effective for a longer period of time after unprotected sex.

Comparison of Emergency Contraception Shelf Life and Effectiveness


Feature	Plan B (Levonorgestrel)	Ella (Ulipristal Acetate)
Typical Shelf Life	~4 years	~3 years
When to Take	Within 72 hours (3 days), but sooner is better	Within 120 hours (5 days)
Decreased Effectiveness After Expiration	Yes, potency and efficacy decrease	Yes, potency and efficacy decrease
Proper Storage	Controlled room temperature (68-77°F), away from heat and moisture	Controlled room temperature (68-77°F), away from heat and moisture
Effectiveness with Higher BMI	Potentially less effective for those with higher body mass	More effective than Plan B for those with a higher body mass
Requires Prescription	No, available over-the-counter	Yes, requires a prescription

Storing Your Emergency Contraception Properly

To ensure your emergency contraception remains potent for its full shelf life, proper storage is critical. Heat and humidity can accelerate the degradation of the active ingredients, reducing their effectiveness even before the expiration date. Follow these best practices for storing Plan B:

Find a Cool, Dry Place: A linen closet, nightstand drawer, or medicine cabinet not in the bathroom is ideal. Avoid storing it in areas exposed to temperature fluctuations, such as a bathroom or kitchen, where steam and heat can build up.
Use Original Packaging: Keep the pill in its original blister pack and box. The packaging is designed to protect the medication from light and moisture, which can compromise its stability.
Check the Temperature: Store the medication at controlled room temperature, typically between 68°F and 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Avoid exposing it to extreme heat or freezing temperatures.

Conclusion: Prioritize Timeliness Over Stockpile Age

When an emergency occurs, the timeliness of taking emergency contraception is the most important factor for success. While it is wise to keep a dose of Plan B on hand, it is equally important to be aware of its expiration date. Using an expired pill introduces unnecessary risk and could result in an unintended pregnancy. If your stored dose is expired, the best course of action is to get a new one from a pharmacy or clinic immediately. If your stored dose is still valid, check the date and take it as soon as possible after unprotected sex for maximum effectiveness. Always consult a healthcare provider for any questions regarding emergency contraception or routine birth control options. Planned Parenthood offers comprehensive resources on emergency contraception and where to access it.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, taking expired Plan B is not considered dangerous or harmful. The primary risk is that the medication will have lost its potency and will be less effective at preventing pregnancy.

If your Plan B is expired, you should immediately obtain a new, non-expired dose. Do not rely on an expired pill to protect against pregnancy. Generic versions are often available and work the same way.

No, proper storage does not extend the shelf life of Plan B past its printed expiration date. Storing it correctly only ensures that the drug remains stable and potent up to that date.

The expiration date, indicated by a month and a year, is printed on the outer cardboard box and on the blister pack containing the pill. Always check this before purchasing or using the medication.

All levonorgestrel-based emergency contraceptives, whether brand-name Plan B or generics, typically have a shelf life of about four years. The brand does not affect the duration of its stability.

No, it is not recommended to store Plan B in a bathroom cabinet. The high humidity and fluctuating temperatures in a bathroom can degrade the medication over time. A bedroom drawer or linen closet is a better option.

The expiration date is the official cutoff for when the manufacturer guarantees full potency. While the active ingredient may not vanish instantly, its effectiveness will begin to decrease, and relying on it after the expiration date is a risk you should not take.