Ella

(ulipristal)

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A one-time dose that prevents pregnancy when taken within 120 hours after unprotected sex.

Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.

Our bottom line

Ella (ulipristal) effectively prevents pregnancy when taken within 120 hours after unprotected sex, but it will not stop an existing pregnancy.

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Quick facts about Ella
  • Drug class: Women's health
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: No lower cost generic available

Upsides

  • Only need to take 1 pill.
  • Side effects are few and pass quickly for most people.
  • Has a lower failure rate than the over-the-counter emergency contraceptives.
  • Equally effective regardless of which part of your menstrual cycle you are in.
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What to expect from Ella, on one page

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Downsides

  • Does not work if it's been longer than 120 hours since unprotected sex.
  • Requires a prescription and doesn't have a generic.
  • This can't be used to stop an existing pregnancy.
  • If you're taking hormonal contraceptives, a barrier method must also be used until your next menstrual cycle.
  • Doesn't protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.
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What to expect from Ella, on one page

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How it works

Ella (ulipristal) prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation and preventing a fertilized egg from implanting.

Quick facts about Ella
  • Drug class: Women's health
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: No lower cost generic available

Used for

  • Emergency contraception

Dosage forms

  • Pill
Tried Ella? Write a review!

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Ella (ulipristal) for Emergency contraception

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  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Possible side effects
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Menstrual cramps
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
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Side effect rates for Ella (ulipristal)

From 1533 clinical trials of Ella when taken for emergency contraception (30 mg)
  • Headache
    18%18%
  • Stomach pain
    15%15%
  • Nausea
    12%12%
  • Menstrual cramps
    7%7%
  • Fatigue
    6%6%
  • Dizziness
    5%5%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Ella.

Ella (ulipristal)
Placebo

People taking Ella felt side effect more

People taking Ella felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Ella (ulipristal)

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    • Higher risk if:
    • › Sex without barrier protection

    Ella (ulipristal) doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like HIV. Barrier methods, such as condoms, must be used to help protect you. Please talk to your doctor if you are worried about STIs.