About ellaOne
When to take ellaOne and how to take it.
Take ellaOne within 5 days (120 hours) of unprotected sex.
ellaOne can be taken at any point during your menstrual cycle.
How effective is ellaOne?
Current studies show ellaOne can be effective at preventing pregnancy for a full 5 days after unprotected sex but should be taken as soon as possible. It is 2.5 times more effective than levonorgestrel (sometimes branded as Levonelle).
If you are sick within 3hrs of taking ellaOne, you need to take another tablet as soon as possible.
If you have unprotected sex after taking ellaOne, it will not stop you from becoming pregnant. After you take the tablet and until your next period comes, you should use condoms every time you have sex.
How does ellaOne work?
ellaOne contains and active ingredient called ulipristal acetate. This chemical prevents or delays your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulating) This protects you against pregnancy.
Who can take ellaOne?
Most women can take emergency contraception, including women who can’t take the combined pill or contraceptive patch.
If you have an allergy to any of the ingredients in the pill, you will not be able to take it. You will not be able to take ellaOne if you have certain health conditions, such as severe asthma requiring oral steroids, or if you are taking medications like St John's Wort or certain treatments for indigestion, epilepsy, HIV, TB and fungal infections.
What are the side effects of ellaOne?
The most common side effects of ellaOne are irregular bleeding, headache, nausea (feeling sick), dizziness and abdominal (tummy) pain. If your period is missed or late, and you experience these symptoms after taking ellaOne, you should do a pregnancy test.
For full information on side effects and correct use, see the patient information leaflet. If any side effects concern you, contact us via your Patient Record.
What happens after taking ellaOne?
Taking ellaOne can sometimes give you a headache, tummy ache, make you feel nauseous or be sick. It can also make your next period earlier, later or more painful than usual.
Does ellaOne work if you've already ovulated?
ellaOne is only effective only if taken before ovulation. ellaOne , when compared with Levonorgestrel, has been shown to continue being effective later in the menstrual cycle.
ellaOne has been shown to work later in the menstrual cycle than Levonorgestrel.
Can you take ellaOne twice in one cycle?
You can take ellaOne more than once in a menstrual cycle, however it’s important to remember it shouldn't be used as your regular form of contraception.
Do you bleed after taking ellaOne?
Some women may bleed after taking ellaOne, but it is a small percentage (less than 10%) and in the majority of cases the bleeding is just spotting.
How do I know ellaOne has worked?
The only way of knowing if the morning after pill has worked is when your next period arrives. After taking the tablet, it is normal for your next period to be a few days late. However, if your period is more than 7 days late; if it is unusually light or unusually heavy; or if you experience symptoms such as abdominal (stomach) pain, breast tenderness, vomiting or nausea, you may be pregnant. You should do a pregnancy test right away. If you are pregnant, it is important that you see your doctor.
Do I continue taking my contraceptive pill after taking ellaOne?
If you’ve taken ellaOne you should wait at least 5 days before taking your next contraceptive pill. Make sure you use another form of contraception, such as condoms, if you have sex prior to restarting your pill.
Does ellaOne protect against STIs?
ellaOne only protects against pregnancy, not sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you have had unprotected sex, you may be at risk of having an STI.
If you are worried you might have a STI, you can visit our STI test clinic for advice, at-home tests and treatments.
Where can I get ellaOne?
If you would like to avoid a face to face appointment or need emergency contraception quickly, you can request the morning after pill through us. You can also access the morning after pill through the NHS and most high street pharmacies. Find out more about where you can get the morning after pill.
Can men buy the morning after pill?
No, men cannot buy the morning after pill. When you request the morning after pill either through an online doctor or in a pharmacy, you have to answer a series of questions to assess your suitability for it.
Will ellaOne affect my future fertility?
Taking ellaOne should not affect fertility, even when taken regularly.
Important information about ellaOne
After taking the tablet, it is normal for your next period to be a few days late. However, if your period is more than 7 days late; if it is unusually light or unusually heavy; or if you experience symptoms such as abdominal (stomach) pain, breast tenderness, vomiting or nausea, you may be pregnant. You should do a pregnancy test right away. If you are pregnant, it is important that you see your doctor
Safety: taking other medicines
You should be able to take ellaOne alongside other medicines. However, it is important that you let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you are taking so that we can prescribe ellaOne safely.
Can you drink alcohol after taking ellaOne?
Alternative treatments
An effective alternative to the morning after pill is the copper coil (also known as an intrauterine device (IUD). This can be fitted by a trained medical professional but must be done within 5 days of unprotected sex to be effective.
We recommend taking the morning after pill, even if you wish to have a coil fitted, in case this doesn't happen within 5 days or unprotected sex.
