Ella^®

Ella® is a 30-mg dose of ulipristal acetate. It is not intended as long-term birth control and will not protect against future unplanned pregnancies. Ella® is also not an abortion pill. This pill works to delay or prevent ovulation, reducing the risk of pregnancy in women who have had unprotected sex. Ella® doesn't hurt your chances of getting pregnant again in the future, but is a valuable option if you don't want to get pregnant now.

Ella® is not an abortion pill, which means it does not prevent implantation of a fertilized egg from forming in the uterus. Ella® works to delay ovulation, meaning the sperm never meets the egg, preventing pregnancy.

Ella® is a nonhormonal pill. Ulipristal is a nonhormonal drug that blocks key effects of hormones needed for ovulation.

Plan B is an over-the-counter emergency contraceptive similar to Ella®. However, Ella® is proven to be more effective than Plan B because it can be taken longer after unprotected sex. Plan B is most effective within 72 hours after sex, while women can take Ella® up to five days after sex. For both pills, the sooner you take it, the more effective it is.

There are a few considerations to keep in mind when taking Ella®. If you feel nauseous and throw up within two hours of taking Ella®, then it won't be effective and you will need to take it again. You shouldn't use your regular hormonal contraceptive (like birth control pills) for five days after using Ella®. This will decrease the effectiveness of both Ella® and your normal contraceptive. Instead, use a barrier contraceptive (like a condom) until five days have passed and then return to your normal routine.

Everyone reacts differently to medication, so you may not experience any side effects or have mild to moderate side effects. A few common side effects include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Menstrual cramps
• Tiredness
• Dizziness

It's important to check with your pharmacist or doctor before taking Ella®. They will be aware of how your current medication may react with this pill. You should also avoid taking Ella® if you are already pregnant, currently breastfeeding, or have already taken it once since your last period. You will know that Ella® has worked properly when your next period begins. Ella® is less effective the longer you wait to take it. If your period is more than seven days late, even if you have taken Ella®, then you may be pregnant.

Nurx offers two different emergency contraception options.

Nurx's Levonorgestrel (generic Plan B One-Step®) is $25. It is over-the-counter with free shipping, and does not require a prescription. We recommend this product for on-hand use to have it for the moments you need it.

Ella® is $45 without insurance (or as low as $0 with insurance), requires a prescription, and can be sent via ground shipping (for free) or with overnight delivery (for an additional $15). To be considered for an Ella® prescription (as medically appropriate), you'll also need to complete a medical consultation that costs $15. If you need emergency contraception urgently, please request Ella® here.

Yes, we accept most forms of private health insurance for medications. If you’d like to know if we accept your health insurance plan, please connect with our team at [email protected]. Please note that at this time, we do not submit claims to insurance for the medical consult fee.
Nurx does not accept any federal or state government insurance plans, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, or any of their affiliated managed care plans, nor can Nurx service such patients. We recommend that you find a local provider in your community that participates in your government payer program.