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What is ellaOne®?
ellaOne® is an emergency contraception pill, commonly known as a ‘morning after pill’ and is taken following unprotected sex to prevent unplanned pregnancy.
A birth control medication for women, ellaOne® works by preventing the release of an egg from the ovary so that fertilisation by sperm does not occur. It should be taken orally and within five days (120 hours) following unprotected sex for maximum effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. Like other forms of emergency contraception, the sooner ellaOne® is taken the more effective it is.
How does it work?
ellaOne® works by preventing or delaying the release of the egg from the ovaries, meaning it cannot be fertilised by sperm.
The active ingredient modifies the activity of the natural female sex hormone to prevent or delay ovulation until all the sperm have died (approximately five days).
How effective is it at preventing unplanned pregnancy?
The overall effectiveness of ellaOne® is approximately 98%. But, it is important to take ellaOne® as soon as possible as it’s effectiveness decreases with time.
Note that you do not need to wait until the morning after to take ellaOne® as the ‘morning after pill’ phrase may suggest.
How do I take ellaOne®?
Take one pill at any time, swallow the pill whole with water. You can take ellaOne® at any time during your menstrual cycle but it should be taken as soon as possible following unprotected sex to maximise its effectiveness.
After 5 days (120 hours) have passed, the efficacy of ellaOne® is unknown and the ellaOne® tablet may be entirely ineffective. If you want to take emergency contraception after this length of time, you should consult your GP for additional contraceptive advice. If you have unprotected sex after taking ellaOne®, it will not prevent pregnancy.
If you vomit or have diarrhoea within 3 hours of taking the ellaOne® pill, it may not have been absorbed properly which can compromise its efficacy. Therefore, you should seek professional advice from a pharmacist or GP and obtain additional emergency contraception.
What is the difference between ellaOne® and Levonelle?
The main difference between ellaOne® and Levonelle is the length of time each emergency contraception pill is effective for. ellaOne® is effective for 5 days (120 hours) whereas, Levonelle is effective for 3 days (90 hours). For both morning after pill brands, it is important to take the pill as early as possible to ensure greater effectiveness.
Another difference is the way in which both morning after pills work. ellaOne® works to modify the role of the female sex hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle, whereas, Levonelle works by mimicking the role of the female sex hormone. While the way in which each morning after pill works differs slightly, the effect is the same, whereby they both aim to avoid pregnancy by preventing or delaying ovulation.
What are the side effects of ellaOne?
Like all medication, you may experience side effects.
Common side effects from taking ellaOne include:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Painful periods
- Pelvic pain
- Tiredness
- Mood swings
- Back pain, muscle pain
- Headache, dizziness
- Tender breasts
Information Leaflet
Always read the patient information leaflet before commencing treatment.
Important: We advise you to always read the patient information leaflet inside the medication box, as the generic medication may not always entirely match the patient information leaflet listed. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Written and reviewed by our qualified team
Authored by:
Carolina Goncalves
Superintendent
Pharmacist
Reviewed by:
Rehma Gill
Pharmacy
Manager
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Content last updated:
17 Apr 2024