How to buy ellaOne® over the counter at the pharmacy
So, you’ve had unprotected sex and decided to take emergency contraception. If you’ve decided on the morning after pill, you can choose to buy ellaOne® over the counter at a pharmacy, or you can even order it online.
It’s OK if you feel a bit nervous about asking for the morning after pill, but remember that pharmacy staff are there to help, not to judge you. Disclosing personal information is part of the confidential consultation to ensure ellaOne® is right for you.
As Pharmacist Deborah Evans* says: “Going to the pharmacy for the morning after pill might feel embarrassing, but it really is nothing out of the ordinary for the pharmacist. We are only interested in helping you make the right choice for you.”
*Deborah Evans does not endorse any medicinal products or brands.
Where can I buy ellaOne® over the counter?
ellaOne® is available to buy from most pharmacies, just ask for it by name and your pharmacist will let you know if it is available. If you’re wondering where to buy ellaOne® near you, simply enter your home or work address into our locator tool to find your nearest pharmacy.
Do I need a prescription to buy ellaOne®?
You don’t need a prescription to buy ellaOne® over the counter, but the pharmacist will need to ask a few safety questions for suitability.
How much is ellaOne® at a pharmacy?
Prices vary depending on the pharmacy, but ellaOne® normally costs around £35. If you prefer to buy ellaOne® online, our discreet service offers same-day and next-day delivery, making it easy to access emergency contraception quickly and privately.
Who can take ellaOne®?
Most people can take the morning after pill without complications, but this is why the pharmacist will ask you some questions. When buying online, there’s an online questionnaire, too. The in-person consultation that you’ll have with the pharmacist will determine whether ellaOne® is suitable for you.
You will not be given the morning after pill if:
- You are already pregnant
- You are allergic to any of the ingredients
- You are taking any medicines that could interfere with the morning after pill
If the pharmacist decides ellaOne® is not suitable for you, they may recommend a copper IUD, which is another clinically effective form of emergency contraception.
You can learn more in our Emergency Contraception guide.
What should I ask for in the pharmacy?
If you’ve researched your options and decided that ellaOne® might be right for you, you can ask for it by name at the pharmacy counter. This might feel more comfortable than requesting “emergency contraception” if you feel nervous.
You might then be asked to wait to speak to a pharmacist or another trained member of the team. If this happens, the pharmacist should offer you a private consultation area – so you don’t have to talk to them about your sex life in front of anyone else! It is at this point that the pharmacist will run through some questions to make sure ellaOne® is suitable for you. You can also ask the counter staff to see the pharmacist privately without disclosing to anyone else why you want to talk.
What will the pharmacist ask me - and why?
Pharmacists need certain information to confirm that ellaOne® is safe and appropriate for you. These questions will be about when you had unprotected sex, any existing health conditions or allergies, whether or not you might be pregnant already and what medications might interfere with the morning after pill. These questions are routine and designed to make sure you get access to the most suitable emergency contraceptive for you.
Deborah Evans explains: “The questions a pharmacist asks are only to ascertain that this medicine is appropriate for you. We really aren’t snooping for details about the situation or making any judgements on what brought you to the pharmacy.”
‘When did you have unprotected sex?’
Timing matters. The pharmacist needs to know whether you are still within the window where ellaOne® or another emergency contraceptive could be effective.
ellaOne® can be effective for up to 120 hours (five days) after unprotected sex, whereas pills containing levonorgestrel work for up to 72 hours (three days). Emergency contraception works best when taken as soon as possible.
The morning after pill will only be effective if you have not already ovulated.
‘How old are you?’
The pharmacist may ask this because if you are under 16, there may be additional safeguarding questions. You will not be refused ellaOne® based on your age unless you are under 13.
‘Could you already be pregnant?’
The pharmacist will ask you this because you should not take the morning after pill if you are already pregnant. Deborah says, “if you think there is a chance that you are pregnant, the pharmacist will ask you to take a pregnancy test before you are given the morning after pill.
It’s important to remember that ellaOne® is not an abortion pill. If you are already pregnant it will not have any effect on the pregnancy or the baby. This is because ellaOne® works by delaying ovulation, and it cannot interrupt an existing pregnancy.
‘Are you breastfeeding?’
The pharmacist will ask this because ellaOne® is not recommended for women who are breastfeeding.
If you choose to take it, you will need to avoid breastfeeding for one week. You can continue pumping during this time to maintain milk production but should dispose of the milk afterwards.
‘Are you taking any medication?’
The pharmacist wants to know which method of emergency contraception is most suitable, particularly if any medicines could reduce the effectiveness of the morning after pill.
‘Do you have any health conditions or allergies?’
This ensures you are not allergic to any ingredients and that you don’t have any health issues that could affect how well ellaOne® works. The pharmacist isn’t looking for any information that isn’t directly relevant to your health, and how effective the morning after pill will be for you. You don’t need to go into too many details about the unprotected sex or contraceptive failure you had.
If you want to learn more about using ellaOne®, visit our ellaOne® FAQs.
**Deborah Evans does not endorse any medicinal products or brands.
ellaOne® 30mg film-coated tablet contains ulipristal acetate and is indicated for emergency contraception within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure.
*Based on sales data. Verify at ellaone.co.uk/verify
Always read the instructions on the package leaflet carefully. Health information within this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with healthcare professionals. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare professional considering the unique characteristics of the patient.
