Emergency Contraception (Levonorgestrel 1.5mg / Ulipristal Acetate 30mg)

Preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex, missed contraceptive pills, condom failure, or other contraceptive accidents.

Levonorgestrel works primarily by delaying or preventing ovulation. Ulipristal acetate (EllaOne) is more effective because it can delay ovulation even when LH levels have already started to rise (just before ovulation). Neither works if implantation has already occurred - they are not ‘abortion pills’.

Any woman who has had unprotected sex or contraceptive failure and doesn’t want to become pregnant. Levonorgestrel: available OTC, less effective in women over 70kg. EllaOne: more effective overall and in women with higher BMI, but requires a brief consultation. Neither should be used as regular contraception.

Order online and we review your request. A prescriber checks your consultation form for clinical appropriateness and contacts you if anything else is needed. Once approved, your medication is dispensed and delivered to your door. Emergency contraception is time-sensitive. We aim to review and approve your order as quickly as possible.

Tracked: Tracked delivery, arrives in two working days - Free

When it arrives: Every order is sent tracked. Where this page says in post today, it goes out today. Where it says in post tomorrow, it goes out the next working day. On the rare occasions a medicine is unavailable, we will contact you to talk about timing and alternatives.

We dispense clinically equivalent generic medications where available. Prices shown are for the generic version. If you prefer the branded version, let us know in your order form and we will confirm any price difference.

Emergency contraception from £20.99.

POP (desogestrel): irregular bleeding, headache, breast tenderness, mood changes, acne, nausea. COC: headache, nausea, breast tenderness, mood changes, breakthrough bleeding. Emergency contraception: nausea, irregular bleeding, headache.

COC: migraine with aura, VTE history, breast cancer, severe hypertension, smoker over 35, BMI >35. POP: breast cancer, severe liver disease, unexplained vaginal bleeding.

Enzyme-inducing drugs (carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampicin, some antiretrovirals, St John's Wort): reduce contraceptive effectiveness. Emergency levonorgestrel: reduced effectiveness with ulipristal (do not combine).

Not for use in pregnancy. Desogestrel POP: compatible with breastfeeding. COC: avoid in breastfeeding in first 6 weeks. Emergency contraception: not harmful if already pregnant but will not terminate pregnancy.

Take as soon as possible - effectiveness decreases with time. Levonorgestrel: up to 72 hours (3 days). EllaOne: up to 120 hours (5 days). Side effects: nausea, headache, irregular bleeding. Your next period may be early or late. If you vomit within 2-3 hours, you need another dose. A copper IUD is the most effective emergency contraception (up to 5 days) - ask your doctor.