ellaOne

ellaOne is the most effective emergency contraceptive pill on the UK market. It can help to prevent pregnancy if taken within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. When taken correctly, ellaOne is up to 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Please note that emergency contraception does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you think you might have an STI, you can request a test kit with us at ZAVA, without any need for a face-to-face consultation.

ellaOne is an over-the-counter medication and is available from most pharmacies. You can also buy ellaOne safely and easily online. It’s important to only request ellaOne online from trusted online services like ZAVA that are monitored and regulated to ensure you receive safe and genuine medication.

Getting ellaOne online from ZAVA is quick and convenient, with no need for a face-to-face appointment, simply:

1. Complete a short online medical questionnaire – share details about your health so our doctors can ensure ellaOne is right for you.
2. Order and pay online – sign in or create your ZAVA account, select ellaOne, and securely make your payment.
3. Doctor review and approval – a UK-licensed doctor will check your health information and approve your request if ellaOne is safe and appropriate for you.
4. Fast and discreet delivery – if approved, ellaOne will be delivered discreetly to your home or a local post office for collection.

Can you get ellaOne on the NHS?

Yes, ellaOne is available on the NHS. However, to access it you would need to have a face-to-face consultation at your local GP surgery, sexual health or family planning clinic, an NHS walk-in centre, or pharmacy.

ellaOne works to prevent pregnancy by delaying the release of an egg from your ovaries (ovulation) – if no egg is released, it cannot be fertilised. This process will allow time for the sperm that has entered the cervix to die before an egg can be released again.

Note that ellaOne does not prevent fertilisation itself and does not protect you against pregnancy if you have unprotected sex after taking this method of emergency contraception.

Does ellaOne work if you’ve already ovulated?

No, ellaOne will not work if you have already ovulated. It works by stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation). If you have already ovulated and released an egg, ellaOne cannot prevent pregnancy.

If you think you may have already ovulated and are concerned about the possibility of pregnancy, there are other alternatives to ellaOne. For example, you can get a copper coil (IUD) fitted. The copper coil is 99% effective if fitted within 5 days since you had unprotected sex.

How quickly does ellaOne work?

If taken correctly, ellaOne will start working straight away. You must take ellaOne up to 120 hours (5 days) after you have had unprotected sex, but it is most effective if taken as soon as possible.

ellaOne is highly effective at preventing pregnancy. It is:

• 99% effective if taken within 24 hours
• 98% effective for the remaining 4 days

The medication is effective up to 120 hours (5 days) after having unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. The sooner you take ellaOne, the more effective it will be.

You can take 1 ellaOne tablet with water no more than 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure:

• at any time in your cycle, as long as you haven’t ovulated already
• at any time of the day either before, during or after a meal
• on a full or empty stomach

What should I do if I vomit after taking ellaOne?

If you vomit or have diarrhoea within 3 hours of taking the tablet, talk to a doctor or pharmacist immediately as you will need to take another.

How often can I use ellaOne?

You can take ellaOne multiple times in the same cycle. If you do need to use more than one morning after pill in the same cycle, it’s best to use the same brand twice rather than using a different one.

If you find yourself needing to take ellaOne more than once, you should consider taking the contraceptive pill or other non-hormonal birth control alternatives.

You should not rely on the morning after pill as a regular form of contraception against pregnancy, as it is less effective and has more severe side effects.

If you have any specific questions about how often you can take a morning after pill, you should speak with your doctor.

Should I keep taking my contraceptive pill after taking ellaOne?

The contraceptive pill can affect the effectiveness of ellaOne. So you should wait at least 5 days before you take your next contraceptive pill, or before starting the pill after taking ellaOne.

In the meantime, you should use other forms of contraception, like condoms, until at least 12 days after you take ellaOne – 7 days after you restart your pill after waiting 5 days.

Most women can safely take ellaOne, including women who cannot take hormonal medications containing oestrogen (like the combined contraceptive pill).

If you’re allergic to any of the ingredients in ellaOne, then you should avoid taking it.

You may not be able to use ellaOne if you:

• have certain health conditions (like asthma that requires oral steroids)
• are taking some medications for indigestion, fungal infections, epilepsy, TB, or HIV
• are taking St John’s wort

You should not take ellaOne if you’re already pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, you should take a test before taking this medication.

When you order ellaOne, you will be asked if you’re taking any other medications. You should tell your healthcare professional about any prescription and non-prescription medications you take. This is important as other medications you’re taking could prevent ellaOne from working.

If you’ve taken any of the following medications within the last 4 weeks, then ellaOne may not work for you:

• medications that treat epilepsy
• medications that treat tuberculosis (TB)
• HIV treatments
• medications that treat fungal infections
• herbal remedies that contain St John’s Wort – Hypericum perforatum

Your doctor or pharmacist may recommend the copper coil as an emergency contraceptive if you’ve recently taken any of the medicines listed above.

ellaOne can also be affected by the pill or mini pill. This is something you will need to discuss with a medical professional when you request ellaOne.

If you’re unsure if ellaOne is the right treatment for you, there are other emergency contraceptive alternatives:

Levonelle:

• oral tablet
• you should take it within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex for it to be effective
• works by preventing ovulation (release of the egg)
• 84% to 97% effective when taken within 72 hours (3 days)
• most effective when taken within 12 hours
• branded version of generic levonorgestrel (therefore it is more expensive)
• the pill or mini pill has no effect on this treatment
• short-term emergency pregnancy prevention solution

Levonorgestrel:

• oral tablet
• generic (unbranded) version of Levonelle, cheaper in price
• works by preventing ovulation
• take it within 72 hours of unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy
• 84% to 97% effective if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex
• short-term emergency pregnancy prevention solution

Copper coil

IUD (copper coil):

• small plastic t-shape device that a healthcare professional inserts into the uterus
• over 99% effective up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex
• effective just before ovulation
• works by preventing fertilisation (fertilisation of the egg by sperm), not ovulation
• you’ll need to visit your doctor or your local family planning clinic to get the copper IUD fitted
• is a long-term contraceptive too (once fitted it works between 5 to 10 years)
• great alternative if you cannot take the morning after pill

This table compares the morning after pills ellaOne and Levonelle (levonorgestrel), with the copper coil, so you can decide which is best for you.