• Home — ella reduces your chance of an unintended pregnancy after a birth control failure or unprotected sex.1 It is an emergency contraceptive available by prescription
  • Where do I get ella? — To get ella, contact your doctor or local Planned Parenthood clinic, or complete an online medical consultation through Kwikmed at ella-kwikmed.com. ella is also available at most pharmacies or by calling 855-2ELLARX (855-235-5279)
  • What is ella? — ella works by delaying ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary) for 5 days—the amount of time sperm can live inside a woman's body.1,3 ella may also work by preventing attachment to the uterus1
  • Why ella? — ella is different from other emergency contraceptives:
    • ella is FDA approved for use for up to 5 days—2 days longer than other emergency contraceptives1
    • ella is only available by prescription—you can feel confident that your doctor or a medical professional has decided that ella is the right choice for you
  • What is emergency contraception? — If you have a birth control failure or unprotected sex, emergency contraception may help to prevent an unintended pregnancy. Common situations that can lead to using emergency contraception include7:
    • Condom broke or slipped off
    • You forgot to take your pill, insert your ring, or apply your patch for birth control
    • Your partner did not withdraw (pull out) in time
    • Diaphragm or cervical cap slipped out of its proper place
    • Unplanned sex without protection
    • Misjudged your "safe" days using natural family planning
    • You were forced to have unprotected sex (rape)
  • FAQs — Learn more about how and when you should take ella. Even though ella has been proven to be safe in helping to prevent pregnancy, you can find out about possible side effects by visiting the FAQs1
  • Tell a friend — Send an email about this Web site to a friend to let him or her know about the emergency contraceptive ella
  • Healthcare professional — This Web site is intended for healthcare professionals. It contains clinical information about ella, the only emergency contraceptive approved by the FDA for use for up to 5 days after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure1
  • Patient information — This document should be read before you take ella. Your healthcare provider can help you understand this document, which may contain new information about the emergency contraceptive ella
  • Prescribing Information — This document contains medical information about ella and is intended for medical professionals
  • Legal/Copyright disclaimer — This is a link to the Watson Pharma, Inc., Web site disclaimer
  • Privacy policy — This is a link to the Watson Pharma, Inc., Web site privacy policy

+-References

  1. ella® prescribing information. Morristown, NJ: Watson Pharma, Inc. August 2010.
  2. Gould JE, Overstreet JW, Hanson FW. Assessment of human sperm function after recovery from the female reproductive tract. Biol Reprod. 1984;31(5):888-894.
  3. Brache V, Cochon L, Jesam C, et al. Immediate pre-ovulatory administration of 30 mg ulipristal acetate significantly delays follicular rupture. Hum Reprod. 2010;25(9):2256-2263.
  4. Plan B® One-Step prescribing information. Pomona, NY: Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. August 2009.
  5. Next Choice® prescribing information. Corona, CA: Watson Pharma, Inc. August 2009.
  6. Mifeprex® prescribing information. New York, NY: Danco Laboratories, LLC. July 2005.
  7. Morning-after pill (emergency contraception). Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc. http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/emergency-contraception-morning-after-pill-4363.html. Accessed October 5, 2010.

ella is a prescription emergency contraceptive that reduces your chance of becoming pregnant if your birth control fails or you have unprotected sex.

Important Safety Information

The most common side effects of ella (ulipristal acetate) tablets include headache, stomach pain, nausea, menstrual pain, tiredness, and dizziness. You should not take ella if you know or suspect you are already pregnant, and ella should not replace your regular birth control method. Do not use ella more than one time in the same menstrual cycle. ella is not for use to end an existing pregnancy. If you become pregnant or have lower stomach pain after taking ella, you should be evaluated for an ectopic pregnancy. ella may cause your period to be earlier or later than expected. If your period is more than a week late, you should get a pregnancy test. After taking ella, you are likely to be fertile again very quickly, thus, you should continue or start using a regular birth control method as soon as possible to prevent pregnancy. ella will not protect you against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases.