Prescription required
ellaOne
Emergency contraception
- Strengths:
- 30mg
- Indicative price:
- £25.19
GetMeds Online
Emergency contraception
The morning after pill, used after unprotected sex or contraception failure.
This guide is general health information about Emergency contraception. It is not personal medical advice and does not replace an assessment by your GP or pharmacist. Any treatment is only supplied after a consultation is reviewed by a UK prescriber at our partner pharmacy.
In short
Emergency contraception can stop a pregnancy happening after sex without protection, but it works best the sooner you take it. The copper coil (IUD) is the most effective option and can be fitted up to 5 days afterwards.
- Levonorgestrel pill window
- Works up to 72 hours (3 days) after sex
- Ulipristal pill window
- Works up to 120 hours (5 days) after sex
- Copper coil (IUD) window
- Fitted up to 120 hours (5 days) after sex — the most effective option
- If you weigh more
- A double dose of levonorgestrel may be suggested if your BMI is over 26 or you weigh more than 70 kg
Overview
Emergency contraception works best the sooner it is taken. It does not protect against future sex in the same cycle and it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Common symptoms
- Unprotected sex
- Missed pills
- Split or failed condom
What causes it
- Sex without contraception
- Missed pills or a late injection
- A split or slipped condom
What you can do yourself
- Act as quickly as possible — effectiveness falls with time
- Take a pregnancy test three weeks later
- Consider testing for sexually transmitted infections
What you'll be asked
- 1Exactly when the unprotected sex happened, and whether there was more than one occasion this cycle
- 2The date of your last period and how regular your cycles usually are, to work out when you're likely to ovulate
- 3Whether you're already using hormonal contraception, as this can affect whether ulipristal will work well
- 4Certain medicines that reduce effectiveness, and whether you have severe asthma treated with steroid tablets (relevant for ulipristal)
- 5Whether you may be at risk from coercion or assault, so you can be offered the right support
How it is usually treated
Levonorgestrel can be used up to 72 hours after sex and ulipristal up to 120 hours. A copper coil fitted by a clinic is the most effective option and needs an in-person appointment.
Ulipristal acetate 30 mg tablet
Works well even close to ovulation. After taking it, wait 5 days before starting or restarting hormonal contraception, and use condoms in the meantime.
Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg tablet
Take as soon as possible, and it must be within 72 hours. You can start your usual hormonal contraception straight away afterwards, using condoms as well for the next 7 days.
Copper coil (IUD)
Over 99% effective and not affected by your weight. It also gives you ongoing contraception afterwards. You'll need an appointment for someone to fit it.
Doses shown are indicative. Any treatment is chosen by the prescriber at our partner pharmacy based on your answers.
Follow-up and reviews
- Take a pregnancy test if your next period is more than 7 days late, unusually light, or otherwise different from normal
- If you're sick within 3 hours of taking the tablet, you'll need another dose
- Arrange ongoing contraception at the same appointment if you don't already have a plan
- Ask about screening for sexually transmitted infections — usually done around 2 weeks later for chlamydia
Safety and who should avoid it
- Ulipristal doesn't work as well if you're also using progestogen-based contraception — avoid combining them
- It won't end an existing pregnancy — it only works before a pregnancy has started
- Certain medicines make emergency contraception less effective — you may need a copper coil or a higher dose of levonorgestrel instead
- Ulipristal isn't recommended if you have severe asthma controlled with steroid tablets
Get urgent help if you notice
- Severe pain on one side of your tummy, pain in the tip of your shoulder, or fainting — these can be signs of a pregnancy outside the womb (ectopic pregnancy) and need urgent care
- If you've experienced assault or coercion, please tell someone — urgent, specialist support is available
- If you're under 16, or a vulnerable adult, extra support and safeguarding checks are part of your care
Call 999 for an emergency, or NHS 111 for urgent advice.
When to see a doctor
- Vomiting within three hours of the dose
- Severe one-sided tummy pain
- A period that is very light, late or unusual afterwards
Treatments you can request
Pharmacy medicine (P)
Levonorgestrel 1500mcg tablet
Emergency contraception
- Strengths:
- 1500mcg
- Indicative price:
- £13.99
Common questions
- Does it protect me for the rest of the month?
- No. It only covers the episode that has already happened.
- Can I use it more than once?
- It is safe to repeat, but it is far less reliable than regular contraception.