ellaOne

ellaOne is an emergency contraception tablet, commonly referred to as 'the morning after pill', that can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex. It is 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. If you have forgotten to use protection or your normal contraceptive method has failed, you can take ellaOne to prevent a pregnancy.

During a woman's monthly cycle, the ovaries release an egg. The body then releases progesterone to let the ovaries know that they should not produce another. ellaOne's active ingredient, ulipristal acetate, alters the progesterone levels in the body, preventing an egg from being released for fertilisation.

The active ingredient also works by modifying the lining of the womb, making it less likely a fertilised egg would be able to implant. This is similar to the way combined pill and mini pills work.

This morning after pill is effective up to five days, or 120 hours, after unprotected sex or a contraception failure. It is more effective the sooner you take it, with a clinical trial showing the rate of pregnancy at 9 in 1000 when taken within 24 hours.

For every one hundred patients who take this treatment up to five days after unprotected sexual intercourse, only two will become pregnant.

Is ellaOne effective after ovulation?

This treatment works by preventing ovulation, so if you have already ovulated, it may not be effective. It is difficult to know when you are ovulating, but if you take the pill as soon as possible you can reduce the chances that you will ovulate during that time. Talk to your GP or a pharmacist if you are concerned.

ellaOne comes as one tablet that should be taken as soon as possible, but can be taken up to five days, or 120 hours after unprotected sex or a contraception failure.

After taking ellaOne, you should use a barrier contraceptive until your next period to prevent pregnancy, even if you are using a hormonal method of contraception like the combined pill. If you are using hormonal contraception, you will be protected against pregnancy again once you start your new pill pack.

Can ellaOne be taken twice in one cycle?

This medication can only be taken once during your menstrual cycle.

Emergency contraceptive tablets are usually well-tolerated, however, you should not take ellaOne if:

• you have severe liver disease
• you have severe asthma that is treated with steroid tablets
• you are allergic to any of the ingredients

Do not take this treatment if you are already pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, if your last period was over five days late or unusually light or uncomfortable, you should inform your doctor, as you may already be pregnant. This treatment cannot terminate a pregnancy.

You should always inform your doctor about any other medications or supplements you are currently taking, even if they are not prescribed, as some may prevent ellaOne from working properly.

When completing your consultation, remember to include your medical history and current medication. This treatment may be less effective when used alongside treatments for HIV, bacterial infections and herbal remedies such as St John's Wort.

This medication should not be consumed with emergency contraceptives containing levonorgestrel. It will not have a combined effect - ellaOne is thought to make Levonelle less effective. Always follow your doctor’s advice when taking any medication.

Side effects are a possibility of any prescription medication, although not everybody gets them.

The most common side effects of ellaOne include:

Side effects are usually very mild in nature and last only for a short period of time. If they persist, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.

A full list of reported side effects can be found in the patient information leaflet supplied with the medication, or downloaded on this page.

You can buy ellaOne online through euroClinix after completing an online consultation. During your consultation, we will require you to answer some details about your medical history and current medication so that our doctor can assess your suitability. We understand that when ordering emergency contraception, you need the medication fast, so we offer a quick process with free next day delivery on orders made before 4.30pm.