ellaOne
ellaOne
ellaOne
Like any other prescription medication you must consult a doctor before using ellaOne tablets.
PrivateDoc offers a confidential free consultation service that may result in you receiving a prescription for ellaOne if our doctors deems it appropriate and can prescribe ellaOne safely.
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How does ellaOne work?
ellaOne acts by modifying the activity of the natural hormone progesterone. ellaOne works by using a synthetic version of the female hormone progesterone to trick your body into delaying your ovaries from releasing an egg, preventing pregnancy.
In the event that an egg has already been released, ellaOne also works by increasing thickness of the mucus at the cervix and makes the womb lining thinner so an egg can't attach to it. This additional effect reduces the chances of sperm entering the womb and also reduces the chances of pregnancy as an egg won't be able to grow in a thinner womb lining.
ellaOne is not effective in every case. 2 in 100 women receiving ellaOne up to 5 days after unprotected sex will become pregnant.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet
Do not use ellaOne if
- you are allergic (hypersensitive) to ulipristal acetate or any of the other ingredients of ellaOne
- you suspect that you are pregnant
Possible Side Effects
Like all medicines, ellaOne can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Common side effects:
- nausea, abdominal pain, upper abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, vomiting
- headache, dizziness
- painful menses, pelvic pain, breast tenderness
- tiredness
- mood swings
- muscle pain, back pain
Uncommon side effects:
- lower abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dry mouth, constipation, heartburn, intestinal gases
- abnormal vaginal bleeding and menstrual disorder (prolonged periods, light unexpected vaginal bleeding, vaginal bleeding, heavy/prolonged periods, premenstrual syndrome)
- vaginal inflammation, vaginal discharge
- hot flushes
- urinary tract infection
- nose/throat infection, influenza, fever, chills
- pain, feeling sick
- appetite changes, emotional disorders, anxiety, agitation, trouble sleeping, sleepiness, irritability, decreased / increased libido
- acne, skin lesion, itching
- migraine
- visual disturbances
Rare side effects:
- genital itching, pain during sexual intercourse, rupture of a pre-existing ovarian cyst, genital pain, abnormal sensation during menses, abnormal light periods, pelvic inflammatory disease
- urinary tract disorders, coloured urine, kidney stones, renal and bladder pain
- acid reflux, toothache
- attention deficit, vertigo, shaking, disorientation, smell and taste disturbance, poor quality of sleep, fainting
- abnormal sensation in eye, red eye, eye sensitivity to light, eye infection, stye
- chest discomfort, inflammation, thirst feeling
- nose and throat congestion, cough, dry throat, dehydration
- nose bleeds
- hives
- bleeding
- pain in arms/legs, joint pain
If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed, please contact us or contact your GP.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet
Instructions
ellaOne should be taken as soon as possible, and no longer than five days after unprotected sex or after other methods of contraception have failed. It can be taken before, during or after a meal. Should you vomit within three hours of taking ellaOne, you should take another dose.
After using ellaOne, if you want to have sex, you should use a reliable barrier contraceptive method such as condom. This is because ellaOne will not work if you have unprotected sex again.
Emergency contraception is a backup method for preventing pregnancy and should only be used occasionally. Only limited information is available concerning the safety and efficacy of repeated use of ellaOne; therefore, you are advised not to use ellaOne more than once in the same menstrual cycle.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet