What are ellaOne tablets?
ellaOne tablets are used by women who have had unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. They can be used within 120 hours (five days) after unprotected sex, longer than the 72 hours of Levonorgestrel. They contain the active ingredient ulipristal acetate 30mg.
Take it as soon as possible after unprotected sex; it cannot guarantee that pregnancy will be prevented.
How to buy an ellaOne tablet
You can use our online pharmacy service to buy ellaOne tablets online in the UK and choose from collection, next day or free delivery. We are a regulated GPhC registered pharmacy based in the UK. As ellaOne tablets are a 'Pharmacy-only' (P) medicine a pharmacist needs to have a consultation to make sure treatment is appropriate before you can purchase ellaOne tablets.
Upon completion of your order, our pharmacist will then review your online assessment. If your assessment is approved, our pharmacy team will then dispense your order, which will be dispatched the same day using your chosen delivery method.
Do not wait for a delivery if this could delay treatment beyond the 120-hour window. Contact a local pharmacy, sexual health clinic or NHS 111 promptly. The copper IUD is the most effective emergency contraceptive and can provide ongoing contraception; a clinician will check whether the timing and your circumstances allow fitting.
How it works
Ulipristal acetate blocks the action of progesterone to delay ovulation. It does not end an existing pregnancy and does not protect against sex later in the cycle. Keeping a tablet available in advance can help avoid delay, but emergency contraception should not replace a regular method.
How effective is ellaOne
ellaOne can reduce the chance of pregnancy when taken as soon as possible within 120 hours (five days) of unprotected sex. It does not prevent every pregnancy and oral emergency contraception may not work once ovulation has happened. A single percentage cannot predict your chance of pregnancy because timing in your cycle matters.
If you are outside this window, or are unsure of the timing, contact a pharmacist or sexual health clinic urgently. A copper IUD may still be an option after assessment.
How to take ellaOne
Take one 30mg tablet as soon as possible after unprotected sex, within 120 hours. You can take it with or without food. Do not take it together with levonorgestrel emergency contraception.
Tell the pharmacist about all medicines and herbal remedies used in the last four weeks, especially some treatments for epilepsy, tuberculosis or HIV, and St John’s wort. These may reduce the pill’s effect; a copper IUD may be preferred. Recent hormonal contraception can also reduce ellaOne’s effect.
After taking ellaOne
If you vomit within three hours, contact a pharmacist promptly because you may need another dose. ellaOne does not protect against pregnancy from sex after taking it.
Wait five full days after ellaOne before starting or restarting hormonal contraception. Use condoms or avoid sex during that wait and until your usual method becomes effective again. Ask the pharmacist for the exact additional-precaution period for your method.
Take a pregnancy test three weeks after the latest unprotected sex, even if you have bleeding. Your next period may be earlier, later or different from usual. Seek advice sooner if it is more than seven days late, unusually light or heavy, or you have pregnancy symptoms. Get urgent medical assessment for sudden or severe lower abdominal pain, which can be a sign of ectopic pregnancy.
Who cannot take ellaOne
ellaOne can be used by women and adolescents who have started their periods. Do not take it if you are allergic to an ingredient. If you might already be pregnant, tell the pharmacist before treatment: emergency contraception cannot end an existing pregnancy. Get advice first if:
- You have severe liver disease.
- You have severe asthma treated with steroid tablets.
- You take medicines that could interact, or have recently used hormonal contraception.
- Your period is late or you have symptoms of pregnancy.
ellaOne side effects
Most side effects are temporary, but not everyone experiences them. Possible effects include:
- Feeling or being sick
- Headache or dizziness
- Tiredness
- Abdominal discomfort or period pain
- Breast tenderness
- Changes to the timing or bleeding pattern of your next period
Get urgent medical advice for severe lower abdominal pain or suspected pregnancy. Call 999 for breathing difficulty, collapse or swelling of the lips, tongue or throat. Check the leaflet for other possible effects.
Frequently asked questions
How effective is ellaOne?
ellaOne can reduce the chance of pregnancy when taken as soon as possible within 120 hours (five days) of unprotected sex. It does not prevent every pregnancy and oral emergency contraception may not work once ovulation has happened. A single percentage cannot predict your chance of pregnancy because timing in your cycle matters.
If you are outside this window, or are unsure of the timing, contact a pharmacist or sexual health clinic urgently. A copper IUD may still be an option after assessment.
How does ellaOne work?
ellaOne works mainly by delaying or preventing ovulation. It does not end a pregnancy that has already started and does not protect against further unprotected sex.
Can I take ellaOne while breastfeeding?
Current UK specialist guidance says breastfeeding does not need to stop after a single emergency dose of ulipristal. The product leaflet still advises a one-week pause. Tell the pharmacist you are breastfeeding so they can explain this difference and help you choose treatment, particularly if your baby is premature or unwell.
Do ellaOne tablets expire?
Yes, like most medicines has a shelf life and will become less effective if it is left unused. Always check the expiry date of any medicines you are taking before you take them. If you find your medication has expired, you can post them to us, bring them to us or take them to your nearest pharmacy for safe disposal.
How should I store ellaOne tablets?
ellaOne tablets should be stored in a dry area below 30°C and kept out of direct sunlight. Incorrect storage could result in the medication becoming less effective.
Can I drink alcohol after taking a ellaOne tablet?
Yes, you can drink alcohol.
Is it safe to buy ellaOne tablets from your pharmacy?
We are a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registered pharmacy and we source all our pharmaceutical products from reputable wholesalers, the same wholesalers that provide the medicines used to fill NHS prescriptions.
If you buy them from an unregistered pharmacy you may be wasting your money at best or at worst harm yourself buying and taking fake tablets. Always check to make sure where you are buying them from are registered with the GPhC.
