A few FYIs to keep in mind before taking ella®
Dosing
ella® is a convenient one-dose pill containing 30 mg of ulipristal acetate. ella® should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex and can be taken at any time of the day or night, with or without food.
Weight
There are no restrictions for using ella® based on weight. People of any weight can take ella®.
Vomiting
Vomiting, though rare, has been reported when taking ella®. If you vomit within 3 hours after taking ella®, contact your healthcare provider immediately to discuss the possibility of taking an additional dose of the medication.
Resuming birth control
After taking ella®, you should wait 5 days before restarting any hormonal birth control. You should use a reliable barrier contraceptive method (such as a condom) each time you have sex until your next period.
Allergies
If you’re allergic to ulipristal acetate or any other ella® ingredients, ella® may not be right for you.
Pregnancy
If you’re already pregnant, you shouldn’t take ella®. If there is a chance you might be pregnant (e.g. your period is late), you should take a pregnancy test before taking ella®. ella® is not an abortion pill.
STDs/HIV
ella® doesn’t protect against STDs or HIV.
Breastfeeding
Use of ella® by breastfeeding women is not recommended.
Interactions with other medications
Some medications might make ella® less effective when taken together, including:
- Barbiturates
- Bosentan
- Carbamazepine
- Felbamate
- Griseofulvin
- Oxcarbazepine
- Phenytoin
- Rifampin
- St. John's wort
- Topiramate
If you are currently taking any of these medications or have taken any in the last month, ella® might not be right for you. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medications you are currently taking or recently finished, including any over-the-counter medications or dietary supplements.
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