What is ellaOne 30mg?

ellaOne 30mg is an emergency contraceptive pill used when regular birth control has not been used or failed. It reduces the likelihood of pregnancy when there has been unprotected sex, forgetting to use birth control, or if a condom has been broken. The active ingredient, ulipristal acetate, postpones or prevents ovulation. The postponement prevents an egg from being released from the ovary when a woman is fertile, and thus, it is extremely unlikely that the egg will be fertilised by sperm.

ellaOne was created after large-scale clinical trials and is now the UK's first line of emergency contraception. In contrast to the Levonorgestrel tablet, which can be taken for 72 hours, ellaOne can be taken for longer (up to 120 hours or 5 days). 

What is ellaOne Used For?

EllaOne is used to prevent pregnancy in the following scenarios:

• Unprotected sexual intercourse.
• Breakage, slippage, or condom misuse.
• Missed pill, patch, or injection of contraceptives.
• Failure of withdrawal or natural family planning methods.
• Forced sex or sexual assault.
  
  

The medicine does not apply to everyday birth control and must not be used to substitute regular forms of contraception such as pills, IUDs, or implants.

How EllaOne Works

ellaOne contains ulipristal acetate, which delays ovulation even if your body has started the hormonal process of releasing an egg. This gives it an advantage over Levonelle in cycles close to ovulation, when fertilisation is more likely.

It does not terminate an existing pregnancy and will not be effective if ovulation has already occurred. It also does not protect against future unprotected sex.

Effectiveness of ellaOne

ellaOne is up to 98-99% effective when taken within 120 hours of unprotected sex.

It is more effective than Levonelle in the latter half of the 5-day window and when taken close to ovulation.

However, EllaOne's effectiveness may be reduced if you:

• Take certain medications (see below)
• Are overweight or obese (BMI over 30) – it may still be effective, but the copper IUD is more reliable in this case
  
  

Who Should Not Take EllaOne (Contraindications)

Do not take EllaOne if:

• You are already pregnant
• You have severe asthma treated with steroid tablets
• You are allergic to ulipristal acetate or any ingredients in the tablet
• You have severe liver disease
• If any of these apply to you, consult your GP or pharmacist for a safer alternative, such as the copper IUD.

Medication Interactions

EllaOne may be less effective if taken with:

• Enzyme-inducing medications, including:
  
  

Rifampicin (TB)
Phenytoin, carbamazepine, barbiturates (epilepsy)
St John's Wort (herbal remedy)
Some HIV treatments

• Hormonal contraception:
  
  

After taking EllaOne, wait 5 full days before restarting your regular hormonal contraception (e.g. the pill, patch, ring)
Use condoms or avoid sex until your contraception becomes effective again

EllaOne and Pregnancy/Breastfeeding

Pregnancy

• Do not take EllaOne if you are already pregnant – it is not an abortion pill
• It has no known risk of harming a developing pregnancy if taken accidentally
• If you become pregnant after using EllaOne, consult your GP to rule out an ectopic pregnancy (especially if you have severe pain or bleeding).
  
  

Breastfeeding

• Avoid breastfeeding for 1 week after taking EllaOne
• Express and discard milk during this period to maintain milk supply
  
  

Alternatives to EllaOne

1. Levonelle (levonorgestrel)
Works up to 72 hours (3 days) after sex
Slightly less effective than EllaOne, particularly after 48 hours or near ovulation
Safe during breastfeeding
Can be taken again sooner than EllaOne if needed

2. Copper IUD (coil)
Most effective emergency contraception (over 99%)
Can be fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex
Provides long-term contraception if left in
Not affected by medications or body weight

How to Take ellaOne?

Timing- Sildenafil works best if you take the pill 30 to 60 minutes prior to engaging in sexual activity.
The effects will last for 4 to 6 hours.
Dosage- The standard starting dose or prescription is 50mg.
Adjustments: can be raised to 100mg or decreased to 25mg based on efficacy and tolerance.
Maximum dose: one pill per day (taking more does not improve benefits and will increase side effects).
With Food- Sildenafil may be taken with or without food. A meal that is high in fat may slow down the results. On the other hand, lighter meals speed up absorption.
Avoid Alcohol- Dizziness and headaches are common side effects, and drinking alcohol will magnify them along with reducing effectiveness.
Missed Dose- Not an issue - sildenafil is not taken on a daily basis.

Active Ingredients

Ulipristal acetate 30mg. 

Inactive Ingredients 

Povidone, magnesium stearate, croscarmellose sodium with lactose monohydrate.

Always read the patient information leaflet (PIL) in your pack for the complete list of ingredients, and to check for any you might be allergic to.

Most people tolerate EllaOne well. Side effects are usually mild and short-lived:

Common side effects (may affect 1 in 10 people):

Headache
Nausea
Abdominal pain or cramps
Irregular bleeding or spotting
Delayed or early period
Dizziness or fatigue
Tender breasts

Uncommon or rare side effects:

Mood changes
Vomiting
Skin rash
Diarrhoea

If your period is more than 7 days late, very light, or unusually heavy, take a pregnancy test and speak to a GP.