ellaOne

ellaOne is a single-tablet emergency contraceptive that can help prevent an unplanned pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. If you have had unprotected sex or your regular contraceptive method has failed, acting promptly is important. ellaOne can be taken up to 120 hours (five days) after unprotected sex, which makes it one of the most flexible options for emergency contraception currently available in the UK. It contains ulipristal acetate 30 mg as its active ingredient. At Pharmacy Planet, our pharmacists are available to answer your questions and guide you through whether this medicine may be appropriate for your circumstances.

ellaOne is a licensed emergency contraceptive tablet containing ulipristal acetate 30 mg. It belongs to a class of medicines called selective progesterone receptor modulators. It is a Pharmacy Medicine in the UK, which means it is available without a doctor's prescription but must be supplied following a consultation with a registered pharmacist.

It is intended for use by women and people who can become pregnant, as a one-off measure after unprotected sex or after a contraceptive method has failed. ellaOne is not intended for routine use as an ongoing form of contraception. It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.

The medicine is presented as a single white, film-coated tablet taken orally. It has a marketing authorisation in the UK and is listed in the British National Formulary (BNF) as a first-line option for emergency contraception within a 120-hour window.

ellaOne works primarily by delaying or inhibiting the release of an egg from the ovary. This process is known as ovulation inhibition. Ulipristal acetate acts on progesterone receptors in the body, disrupting the hormonal signals that trigger ovulation. If ovulation has not yet occurred, ellaOne can prevent or delay it so that fertilisation does not take place.

Research published in the medical literature and referenced in the product's Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) indicates that ellaOne may also affect the lining of the uterus (endometrium), though the clinical significance of this effect in relation to preventing pregnancy has not been fully established.

It is important to understand that ellaOne is not effective if a fertilised egg has already implanted in the uterus. It is not an abortifacient and will not terminate an established pregnancy. The sooner it is taken after unprotected sex, the more likely it is to be effective. Efficacy does not decline significantly across the 120-hour window in the same way as levonorgestrel-based alternatives, which is a key clinical distinction noted in the SmPC.

ellaOne is taken as a single oral tablet as soon as possible after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It should be swallowed whole with water. It can be taken with or without food, though if you vomit within three hours of taking the tablet you should contact your pharmacist or a healthcare professional, as a replacement dose may be needed.

Key points to follow when taking ellaOne:

1. Take the tablet as soon as possible after unprotected sex.
2. The tablet must be taken within 120 hours (five days) of unprotected sex.
3. Do not take more than one tablet per menstrual cycle unless advised by a healthcare professional.
4. If you vomit within three hours of taking the tablet, seek advice about whether a further dose is required.
5. Continue using your regular method of contraception after taking ellaOne, but be aware that ellaOne may temporarily reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraception.

If you are currently using hormonal contraception (such as the combined pill or progestogen-only pill), speak to your pharmacist about additional contraceptive precautions. Barrier methods such as condoms are recommended until your next period after taking ellaOne.

ellaOne 30 mg

ellaOne is available in one strength only: 30 mg ulipristal acetate per tablet. The dose is always one tablet taken as a single oral dose. There is no alternative strength or dosing schedule.

Each pack contains one film-coated tablet. This is sufficient for a single episode of emergency contraception. If you require emergency contraception following a further episode of unprotected sex within the same menstrual cycle, consult your pharmacist or a healthcare professional before taking an additional dose.

ellaOne is not licensed for use in girls under 18 years of age, although the clinical evidence does not suggest any specific harm in adolescents. If you are under 18, your pharmacist will be able to advise you on appropriate options and may recommend a consultation with a healthcare professional.

Like all medicines, ellaOne can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. The side effects listed below are drawn from the current UK SmPC for ellaOne.

Very Common Side Effects (affecting more than 1 in 10 people)

1. Headache
2. Nausea
3. Abdominal pain
4. Dysmenorrhoea (painful periods)
5. Fatigue

Common Side Effects (affecting 1 to 10 in 100 people)

1. Dizziness
2. Vomiting
3. Mood disturbance
4. Back pain
5. Muscle pain
6. Breast tenderness or discomfort
7. Changes to menstrual bleeding (heavier, lighter, or delayed)

Your next period may be earlier or later than expected after taking ellaOne. If your period is more than seven days late, or if your bleeding is unusually light, you should take a pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy.

Serious allergic reactions (hypersensitivity) to ulipristal acetate are rare but possible. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or a severe skin reaction after taking this medicine.

Note: This is not a complete list of side effects. Please refer to the Patient Information Leaflet included with your medication or consult your pharmacist for full safety information.

ellaOne is intended for women and people who can become pregnant who require emergency contraception following unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Your pharmacist will ask you a series of questions before supplying this medicine to ensure it is appropriate for you.

ellaOne May Not Be Suitable If You

1. Are already pregnant or suspect you are pregnant.
2. Have severe hepatic (liver) impairment.
3. Have severe asthma controlled by oral glucocorticoids (corticosteroids).
4. Are known to be hypersensitive (allergic) to ulipristal acetate or any of the other ingredients.

Medicines That May Interact With ellaOne

Several medicines can affect how well ellaOne works. It is important to tell your pharmacist about all medicines you are currently taking, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal remedies.

The following types of medicine may reduce the effectiveness of ellaOne:

1. Medicines that induce liver enzymes, including rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, and topiramate.
2. Herbal preparations containing St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum).
3. Medicines that raise stomach pH, such as antacids and proton pump inhibitors, may reduce absorption of ulipristal acetate.

If you are taking any of these medicines, your pharmacist will discuss alternative emergency contraceptive options with you, which may include a copper intrauterine device (IUD), which is the most effective emergency contraceptive method available.

ellaOne may also temporarily reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives. Refer to the guidance in the How to Take ellaOne section regarding additional precautions.

As a Pharmacy Medicine, ellaOne requires a pharmacist consultation before it can be supplied. This consultation is the primary step in the process. The pharmacist will ask you a series of questions about your health, your current medicines, and the circumstances in which you need emergency contraception.

At Pharmacy Planet, our pharmacists conduct consultations in a respectful, confidential, and non-judgmental environment. Whether you are consulting in person or via our online consultation service, you can expect to be asked questions that help the pharmacist determine whether ellaOne is clinically appropriate for you.

The outcome of the consultation determines whether ellaOne is appropriate for your individual circumstances. Where ellaOne is not considered the most suitable option (for example, due to a medicine interaction), your pharmacist will discuss alternative options with you.

If you have any concerns or questions about the consultation process, please contact our pharmacy team before completing your consultation. Our team is here to support you.

Store ellaOne at room temperature, below 25 degrees Celsius. Keep the tablet in its original packaging to protect it from moisture and light. Do not store the medicine in a bathroom or near a sink where it could be exposed to damp conditions.

Keep ellaOne out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use the tablet after the expiry date shown on the packaging. If you have an unused tablet that has expired or is no longer needed, return it to your local pharmacy for safe disposal. Do not dispose of medicines in household waste or down the sink.

Both morning after pills available at Pharmacy Planet are oral tablets, but they differ in important ways, particularly in their licensed time window, the active ingredient they contain, and how they perform in patients with a higher body weight. The table below compares these two tablet-based emergency contraceptives side by side so you can arrive at your pharmacist consultation with a clearer picture of your options.

Important: This comparison is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. A pharmacist or prescriber will determine which treatment is most appropriate for you based on your individual health, circumstances, and medicines. Always complete a consultation before taking any emergency contraceptive.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC-registered online pharmacy committed to providing safe, confidential, and clinically responsible pharmacy services to patients across the UK. Our pharmacists are fully qualified and registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.

We understand that seeking emergency contraception can be a stressful experience, and our team is here to support you with professionalism and care. Our online consultation service is available to help you access the information and medicines you need in a timely and discreet way.

Every product supplied through Pharmacy Planet is sourced from licensed UK wholesalers and manufacturers. You can be confident that the medicines you receive are genuine, correctly stored, and supplied in line with UK pharmacy regulations.

For any questions about ellaOne or any other medicine, our pharmacists are available to help. We are here to provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your reproductive health.

1. HRA Pharma. ellaOne 30 mg film-coated tablet – Summary of Product Characteristics. Electronic Medicines Compendium (emc). www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1005. Accessed June 2025.
2. NHS. Emergency contraception. www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/emergency-contraception. Accessed June 2025.
3. British National Formulary (BNF). Ulipristal acetate. bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/ulipristal-acetate. Accessed June 2025.
4. MHRA. ellaOne: product information. www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts. Accessed June 2025.
5. Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH). Emergency Contraception. Clinical Effectiveness Unit Guideline. www.fsrh.org. Accessed June 2025.