Ella (Ulipristal)

What is Ella?

Ella is a prescription emergency contraceptive. It reduces a person’s chance of becoming pregnant after unprotected sex or when other birth control measures fail.

What is Ella used for?

Ella is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy. However, it is to be noted that the medicine does not protect you against HIV infection or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Ella should not be used as regular birth control treatment.

How does Ella work?

Ella works by delaying or stopping the release of egg from the ovary. It may also prevent the egg from attaching to the uterus and thus prevent pregnancy.

How to use Ella

Follow your doctor’s instructions wisely. Taking Ella for longer period or in larger amount than recommended can cause problems.

Take this medication within 120 hours (five days) after unprotected sex or after birth control failure. Ella can be taken with or without food.

The medicine can be taken any time during menstrual cycle. If you vomit within three hours of taking the medicine, contact your doctor right away. He may prescribe you another dose but do not take double doses without consulting your doctor.

Ella warnings and precautions

Do not use Ella if you use a regular birth control treatment. It is not as effective as other birth control treatments (when they are used correctly and consistently). One should not use this medication more than once for different acts of unprotected sex or birth control failures in the same menstrual cycle.

Ella should never be used by pregnant females. Even if you think or suspect that you are pregnant, you should not take this medicine. It is not known if the drug passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing infant. Therefore, a lactating female should consult a doctor on whether to take the medicine or not.

It is to be noted that the medicine does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.

What do I do if I have missed a Ella dose?

Ella is taken as and when needed. You are not on a dosing schedule. However, if you do not take a dose within 5 days of unprotected sex or birth control failure, you are more likely to get pregnant.

What do I do if I have taken a Ella overdose?

If you have taken an overdose of Ella, you should seek medical help right away.

Ella interactions

Before taking Ella, tell your doctor about all the medicines that you are on, especially if you have been taking phenytoin, rifampin, St. John’s wort, Phenobarbital, or carbamazepine. These medicines should not be taken in tandem with Ella. Also tell your doctor if you are using any herbal medicine or mineral or vitamin supplements.

Do not start taking any new medicine without consulting your doctor.

Ella side effects

Ella side effects include abdominal pain (stomach ache), nausea, headache, fatigue, dizziness, menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea). If you get any of these side effects, contact your doctor. Some females experience delayed or early periods (than expected). However, if your period has been delayed by more than seven days, you should get a pregnancy test.