ellaOne

ellaOne is a type of emergency contraception that can be taken to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.

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Pack of 1 ellaOne 30mg tablet
Front of blister pack for ellaOne
Close up of white EllaOne tablet
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Frequently asked questions

Where can I buy ellaOne?

ellaOne is an over the counter medication and is available from most pharmacies. If you would like to buy ellaOne without having a face-to-face conversation, then it is available from reputable online pharmacies such as ZAVA. You will need to fill out a medical questionnaire to make sure ellaOne is suitable for you.

Can you get ellaOne on the NHS?

Yes, ellaOne is available on the NHS. You will need to have a conversation with a doctor or pharmacist in order to check that ellaOne is suitable for you.

Can you get ellaOne over the counter?

Yes, ellaOne is an over the counter medication and is available from most pharmacies or reputable online doctors, such as ZAVA.

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

Pregnancy tests are normally able to detect pregnancy 21 days (3 weeks) after unprotected sex. If you want to use a pregnancy test to confirm whether ellaOne has worked you should wait at least this long.

What is the difference between ellaOne and Levonelle?

ellaOne and Levonelle work in the same way but contain different active ingredients. ellaOne contains ulipristal acetate, while Levonelle contains levonorgestrel. ellaOne can also be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex, whereas Levonelle is only effective up to 72 hours (3 days) after.

Will ellaOne affect my fertility in the future?

Your fertility should not be affected by taking ellaOne, even if it’s been taken more than once in a short period. However, you should avoid using emergency contraception often as it’s much safer and more effective to use condoms or other methods of contraception regularly.

Can ellaOne delay your period?

Yes, it is possible for a morning after pill like ellaOne to cause a delay in your period or cause it to arrive earlier than expected. There is no need to worry if your period is a few days late or early. However, if your period is more than 7 days late or if you experience unusual bleeding after taking ellaOne, you should speak to your doctor and take a pregnancy test.

Can ellaOne cause weight gain?

It is possible that you may gain some weight after taking ellaOne, although this is typically from water retention. It is also possible that ellaOne can cause an increase in appetite, which may result in weight gain. ellaOne does not directly cause weight gain from body fat.

Do you bleed after taking ellaOne?

In some cases, you may experience irregular bleeding after using ellaOne. If you’re not sure whether any bleeding is from your period or not, you can take a pregnancy test as long as it is at least 21 days (3 weeks) since you had unprotected sex.

Can ellaOne cause mood swings?

ellaOne contains hormones which may affect your mood, and mood swings are a common side effect. This normally goes away after a few days.

How long does ellaOne stay in your system?

ellaOne will normally stay in your body for up to 5 days after it is taken. Everybody’s body is different, though, and will absorb ellaOne at slightly different rates.

Does ellaOne stop sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

No, ellaOne is an emergency contraceptive and will only prevent pregnancy. It offers no protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You should use alternative contraceptives such as condoms in order to prevent STIs.

Does ellaOne cause stomach pain?

Some people have reported stomach pain after using ellaOne. This is often quite mild and goes away within a few days. If the pain becomes unmanageable or does not go away, you should speak to your doctor.

Do I need a prescription for ellaOne?

If you’re aged 16 or over, you’ll be able to buy the emergency contraceptive pill at pharmacies in person or online without a prescription. We have a team of doctors who will review all the information you give us and if ellaOne is suitable for you, you can buy the treatment from ZAVA and we will send it to you. It can also be bought over the counter in most pharmacies.

How often can you take the morning after pill?

You can take EllaOne, Levonelle or generic Levonelle (levonorgestrel) more than once per month. However, you cannot take Levonelle and EllaOne in the same menstrual cycle, if taken within the last 7 days. You should not rely on the morning after pill as a regular form of contraception against pregnancy.

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Medically reviewed by:
Dr Babak Ashrafi Clinical Lead for Service Expansion
Accreditations: BSc, MBBS, MRCGP (2008)

Babak studied medicine at King’s College London and graduated in 2003, having also gained a bachelor’s degree in Physiology during his time there. He completed his general practice (GP) training in East London, where he worked for a number of years as a partner at a large inner-city GP practice. He completed the Royal College of GPs membership exam in 2007.

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Last reviewed: 24 May 2023




You might need emergency contraception if you’ve recently had unprotected sex and want to reduce your risk of getting pregnant. ZAVA offers a morning after pill service, which includes a variety of options.


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