Do I need to continue taking my contraceptive pill after taking EllaOne^®?

Using EllaOne^® with regular hormonal contraceptives could reduce contraceptive action of both drugs. After using EllaOne^®, if you wish to use regular hormonal contraception such as birth control pills, you should do so no sooner than 5 days after the intake of EllaOne^®. Be sure to also use a reliable barrier contraceptive method such as condoms until your next period. EllaOne^® should not be used together with emergency contraceptives containing levonorgestrel. By taking them both together, you might make EllaOne^® less effective. Your pharmacist or doctor may have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while being treated with EllaOne^®.

Once you’ve had your period, you can relax and for your next cycle you can stick to your regular contraceptive method – just remember to use it correctly! In case your period is more than 7 days late, if your period is abnormal in character or if there are symptoms suggestive of pregnancy or in case of doubt, a pregnancy test should be considered.

If you were not taking regular oral contraception before, but you would like to start using this form of contraception, speak to your GP or pharmacist. They can advise you on the different types and when is the best time in your cycle to start taking it.

Regardless of whether you choose to start taking a regular oral contraceptive pill as a new method of contraception, you should still use a condom (or another barrier method) until your next period. This is because EllaOne^® might impact the effectiveness of regular hormonal methods of contraception until the end of your menstrual cycle.

EllaOne^® can be bought over the counter at pharmacies. EllaOne^® comes as a single pill, that can be taken with water, at any time of day either before, during or after a meal.