ellaOne

ellaOne

ellaOne is a morning after pill you can take up to 5 days after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. We can prescribe ellaOne without a face to face appointment and deliver discreetly. It's up to 98% effective, when taken in the right time frame.

In stock
from £29.99

Product details

ellaOne is a morning-after pill taken to prevent pregnancy when contraception has failed (e.g. a condom has split) or you have had sex without using any contraception. You should take ellaOne as soon as possible after you had unprotected sex, but you can take it up to 5 days after.

There can be side effects from taking ellaOne, and it is not suitable for women with certain conditions or who are taking specific medications that can interact with it.

Dr Louisa Draper

Medically reviewed by

Dr Louisa Draper

Last reviewed: 12 Jul 2021

ellaOne prices

Pack Size Price
30 mg - 1 tablet(s) - immediate use £29.99
30 mg - 1 tablet(s) - future use £29.99

How it Works

About ellaOne

How effective is ellaOne?

ellaOne is 98% effective in preventing pregnancy if taken after one single instance of unprotected sex. It will not prevent pregnancy if you have unprotected sex after you have taken it or if you take it after you have ovulated.

ellaOne will not protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Is ellaOne better than Levonelle?

Both ellaOne and Levonelle work the same way to stop pregnancy by preventing or delaying ovulation. They contain different active ingredients, ellaOne contains ulipristal acetate and Levonelle contains levonorgestrel.

ellaOne has a longer window for you to take it. You must take Levonelle within 3 days (72 hours) of unprotected sex, whereas with ellaOne you must take it within 5 days (120 hours). The effectiveness of Levonelle reduces after 12 hours, but with ellaOne you have 5 days to take it (although you should still take it as soon as possible).

With all emergency contraception, you should take it as soon as possible after having unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.

How does ellaOne work?

ellaOne prevents you from becoming pregnant by stopping or delaying ovulation. This means that no egg will be released for the sperm to fertilise, so you cannot get pregnant.

How do I know ellaOne has worked?

The only confirmed way of knowing ellaOne has worked is when you get your next period. If your next period is more than 7 days late, it may not have worked and you should take a pregnancy test.

Can ellaOne delay my period?

Yes, because ellaOne stops or delays ovulation it can make your period late.

If your period is more than 7 days late or it is lighter or heavier than usual, you should get a pregnancy test.

Does ellaOne work if I have already ovulated?

No, ellaOne works by stopping or delaying ovulation, so it will not protect you from pregnancy if you already have ovulated. The IUD (intrauterine device or copper coil) may be a better choice in this situation. You should discuss this with your doctor or a sexual health clinic: they may be able to insert a copper coil as an emergency procedure after unprotected sex.

Ovulation usually occurs 10 to 16 days before your period.

Where can I buy ellaOne?

You can buy ellaOne online through Superdrug Online Doctor in 3 easy steps:

  1. Answer the short questionnaire.
  2. Our doctors will review your answers and make sure it is safe and appropriate for you to take ellaOne.
  3. You can then buy ellaOne.

You can then have ellaOne sent to an address of your choice in an unmarked package, or you can use ‘click & collect’ from a Superdrug shop of your choice.

Can I buy ellaOne over the counter?

Yes, you can get ellaOne over the counter at all Superdrug Pharmacies and most other pharmacies in the UK.

Can a man buy ellaOne for me?

No, you must buy ellaOne yourself to be sure that it is safe for you to take. Someone else can collect it for you if you have ordered it via our service.

How to take ellaOne

Take ellaOne as soon as possible after you have had unprotected sex. ellaOne is a single tablet that you swallow with water.

For ellaOne to be effective you must take it within 120 hours of unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. If you are sick (vomit) within 3 hours of taking ellaOne, it may not be effective and you will need to take another ellaOne tablet.

There is more information available in the patient information leaflet.

Can I take ellaOne more than once in one cycle?

Yes, if you need to, you can use ellaOne multiple times in the same cycle. It does not become less effective if you use it more than once. However, ellaOne is not a replacement for regular contraception. If you are using ellaOne regularly, you should consider taking the contraceptive pill or talking to your doctor about another form of contraception.

The two different emergency contraception pills can affect each other, so you should never take them both within the same menstrual cycle. For example, if you take ellaOne, you should not take Levonelle later in the same cycle.

Can I take ellaOne if I am taking the contraceptive pill?

The active ingredient in ellaOne interacts with the progesterone in the contraceptive pill, which can make it less effective at protecting you against pregnancy.

If you take ellaOne, you should wait 5 days until restarting your contraceptive pill, patch, or ring. Start taking your contraceptive pill on the sixth day after taking ellaOne.

  • If you are on the progestogen-only pill (mini pill), use additional contraceptives (such as condoms) for at least 7 days after taking ellaOne (2 days after restarting your pill)
  • If you are taking the combined pill (not Qlaira), use additional contraception (like condoms) for at least 12 days after taking ellaOne (7 days after restarting your pill)
  • If you are specifically taking the combined pill Qlaira, use additional contraceptives for at least 14 days after taking ellaOne (9 days after restarting your pill)

Can I take ellaOne if I am breastfeeding?

You should not breastfeed for 7 days after taking ellaOne. The effect of breastfeeding your baby in the week after taking ellaOne is not known. If you are breastfeeding and take ellaOne you will have to pump and discard your breastmilk for 7 days.

How long after taking ellaOne should I do a pregnancy test?

If you want to know if you are pregnant after having had unprotected sex and then taking ellaOne, you should wait at least 3 weeks before taking a test, or 7 days after the expected date of your next period. If the test is negative but your period still does not come, you should take another test.

What are the side effects of taking ellaOne?

As with all medicines, ellaOne can cause side effects. Not everybody gets them, and they vary from person to person.

Some of the side effects are also possible signs of pregnancy. These include vomiting or feeling sick, breast tenderness and stomach pain. If you miss your period and have these symptoms after taking ellaOne you should do a pregnancy test.

Common side effects that may affect up to 1 in 10 people include:

  • feeling or being sick
  • stomach ache
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • mood swings
  • painful period
  • pelvic, back or muscle pain
  • tiredness

Uncommon side effects that may affect up to 1 in 100 people include:

  • diarrhoea
  • heartburn or wind
  • unusual or irregular vaginal bleeding, PMS, vaginal irritation or discharge
  • changes to sex drive
  • appetite changes
  • hot flushes or fever
  • anxiety and trouble sleeping
  • migraine and visual disturbances

How long do ellaOne side effects last?

Any side effects from taking ellaOne should not last more than a couple of days. Talk to your doctor straight away if you are concerned.

Does ellaOne affect my period?

Yes, it can make your period earlier or later. If your period is much lighter or much heavier than usual, delayed more than 7 days,or you experience vomiting or feeling sick, unusual breast tenderness or stomach pain, you should take a pregnancy test.

Will ellaOne affect my future fertility?

No, ellaOne does not affect your fertility.

Can I drink alcohol while taking ellaOne?

Yes, you can drink alcohol if you have taken ellaOne. Alcohol does not make ellaOne less effective.

Can ellaOne cause mood swings?

The hormones in ellaOne can affect your mood for a few days after taking it. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing ongoing feelings of depression.

Who shouldn’t take ellaOne?

You should not take ellaOne if you:

  • you are allergic to ulipristal acetate
  • your period is already late, or you have symptoms of pregnancy
  • you suffer from severe asthma or liver disease
  • you have taken Levonelle in your current cycle
  • you are taking HIV drugs

You should tell the healthcare professional selling you ellaOne if you take any other medicines, including those obtained without a prescription or herbal medicines. Some drugs may prevent ellaOne from working as effectively.

ellaOne can be less effective if you have taken herbal remedies containing St John’s wort.

It can also be less effective if you have taken medication to treat:

  • epilepsy
  • tuberculosis
  • fungal infections

In these cases, the doctor or pharmacist can recommend other options for emergency contraception such as the coil.

There is also some evidence that ellaOne may be less effective if you have a high BMI, but the research has been inconclusive. Your doctor can advise you on the best option, considering all your medical and personal factors, including BMI. ellaOne can currently be prescribed for all women regardless of their BMI, but you should discuss the options with your doctor.

ellaOne Reviews

Trustpilot users give ellaOne on Superdrug Online Doctor 4.5 out of 5 stars.

You can read about other people’s experiences, including side effects, of taking ellaOne on The Lowdown.

There is more information on ellaOne available on drugs.com too.

Sources

ellaOne (2017) EMC [accessed 11th May 2021]

ellaOne Package Leaflet HRA-Pharma [accessed 11th May 2021]

Emergency Contraception (2018) NHS [accessed 11th May 2021]

How effective is emergency contraception? (2019) NHS [accessed 11th May 2021]

How can I tell when I am ovulating? (2019) NHS [accessed 11th May 2021]

Guidelines for emergency contraception (2020) FSRH [accessed 11th May 2021]

FAQs for ellaOne ellaOne [accessed 11th May 2021]

Patient Reviews