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.
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Our bottom line
Ella (ulipristal) effectively prevents pregnancy when taken within 120 hours after unprotected sex, but it will not stop an existing pregnancy.
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
Download Fact SheetHow 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
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Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.Prices and coupons for 1 (30mg) tablet of Ella near
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See more prices and coupons in your areaWhat to expect when you take Ella (ulipristal) for Emergency contraception
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Headache
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Menstrual cramps
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
Side effect rates for Ella (ulipristal)
From 1533 clinical trials of Ella when taken for emergency contraception (30 mg)
- Headache18%18%
- Stomach pain15%15%
- Nausea12%12%
- Menstrual cramps7%7%
- Fatigue6%6%
- Dizziness5%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)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- 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.