ellaOne
EllaOne ® is an oral emergency contraceptive pill, otherwise known as “the morning after pill”. It can be taken up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sexual intercourse or failure of a contraceptive method. By taking ellaOne the activity of progesterone in your body is altered, causing your ovaries to not release an egg.
- Used for treating: (possible) unwanted pregnancy
- Effect: alters activity of progesterone, ovaries will not release egg
- Caution: ellaOne is not suitable as a regular method of contraception
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Usage, dosage and contradictions of the EllaOne 30 mg emergency contraception
If conventional birth controls have failed, EllaOne 30 mg is a morning after pill which can be taken within 5 days but as soon as possible after the coital intercourse for once a day before or between meals. EllaOne 30 mg emergency contraception should not be taken in the following cases:
- When you are already pregnant
- If you are already using levonorgestrel
- If you are using steroids and therefore are suffering from uncontrollable asthma
- If you have an intolerance to lactose monohydrate
The use of EllaOne 30 mg morning after pill can have negative effects on hormonal contraception. That’s why you should use additional forms of contraception when you have sexual intercourse until the next menstrual period.
The use of EllaOne 30 mg should not extend over one menstrual cycle. Analysis for the effectivity of EllaOne concerning a first usage after more than 5 days are not available. A pregnancy test is recommended if after 7 days since the coital intercourse a change in menstruation occurs. Whilst using EllaOne 30 mg, the menstruation may occur earlier or later than usual. Since ulipristal acetate is metabolized by CYP3A4, the effect of ellaOne 30 mg may be affected by rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazeoine and St.-John’s-wort. The same applies to drugs that increase gastric pH such as proton pump inhibitors, antacids or H2 blockers.
Therefore a simultaneous use of these drugs is not recommended. In addition, the effect of progestin-containing drugs may be compromised by the usage of EllaOne 30 mg. During an existing pregnancy the usage of a morning after pill is not recommended. Furthermore, when you are breastfeeding, you should not use do so until 36 hours after using EllaOne, as the risks for newborns are unclear. EllaOne 30 morning after pill mg may have low or moderate influence on the ability to drive or operate machinery, as well as a slight to moderate dizziness, blurred vision, or attention deficit disorders can occur.
Side effects of the EllaOne 30 mg emergency contraception
These common side effects of EllaOne 30 mg may occur rarely or less often:
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Migraines
How does emergency contraception work?
The active ingredient is ulipristal acetate and is being used for postcoital contraception. It is available since October 2009 under the name ellaOne in Germany, France and Great Britain. The improvement of ulipristal acetate in comparism to levonorgestrel is its extension of postcoital contraception to 3 to 5 days. In addition, the contraceptive effect can be achieved at lower doses and therefore fewer side effects and accessory symptoms. A comparative study shows that 85% of unwanted pregnancies could be avoided within 3 days after the coital intercourse by taking 0,75 mg levonorgestrel respectively 50 mg ulipristal acetate. A manufacturer-funded study by HRA Pharma Paris found only 2% of the women got pregnant after a single dose of 30 mg of ulipristal acetate up to 5 days after the coital intercourse.
Thus ulipristal acetate does not offer complete protection, in addition, this form of prevention is no alternative to the traditional forms of contraception. The mechanism of action of ulipristal acetate is the delay of the ovulation due to the reception with the female sexual hormone progesterone, which means, an ovulation after the fertilization is delayed or completely inhibited. Moreover, the protein metabolism in the endometrium is influenced in a way that an early development of the embryo is inhibited or prevented.
Following oral administration of an EllaOne 30 mg morning after pill, a rapid absorption of the drug ulipristal acetate, and the metabolism happens by CYP3A4 to monodemethyl, didemethyl- and hydroxylite metabolites, it is the mono-demethylated metabolite that hereby is pharmacologically active. The absorption of ulipristal acetate can be lowered due to an increased stomach pH value. The usage of EllaOne 30 mg is contraindicated in an existing pregnancy or a known incompatibility to the active ingredients ulipristal acetate and lactose monohydrate.
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