Uses
What is Ella used for?
Ella (ulipristal) is commonly used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or when your regular birth control method fails.
Ella may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does Ella work (mechanism of action)?
Ella may work as an emergency contraception by preventing or delaying the release of the egg from the ovary. Ella may also make it harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.
How is Ella supplied (dosage forms)?
Ella is available in the following dosage form that is taken by mouth.
- 30 mg oral tablets
How should I store Ella?
Ella should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Protect Ella from light by keeping it in the original packaging.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of Ella?
The most common side effects of Ella are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Painful periods
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
There may be other side effects of Ella that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of Ella?
While less common, the most serious side effects of Ella are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Ella can cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Ella and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Pregnancy Outside of the Womb. Ella can cause pregnancy outside of the womb, also called an ectopic pregnancy, which can be serious. Get emergency help right away if you develop severe lower stomach pain about 3 to 5 weeks after taking Ella.
Changes in the Menstrual Cycle. Your period may come earlier or later than expected after you take Ella. If your period is more than a week after you expect it, take a pregnancy test and see your healthcare provider.
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use Ella?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Ella.
- Ella
- Ulipristal
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Ella.
Pregnancy. Do not take Ella if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare professional right away. See the Pregnancy section below for more details.
What should I know about Ella before using it?
Do not take Ella unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share Ella with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep Ella out of the reach of children.
Ella can be taken at any time during the menstrual cycle. Take Ella as soon as possible and within 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex or a known or suspected birth control failure.
Ella is only for emergency contraception and is not to be taken frequently or as your regular birth control. Do not take Ella more than 1 time in the same menstrual cycle.
Do not take any additional emergency contraceptive pill such as Plan B within 5 days after taking Ella.
Wait for 5 days to start or resume hormonal birth control as a regular method of pregnancy prevention after taking Ella. Ensure you use a reliable barrier birth control method such as a condom with spermicide each time you have sex until your next menstrual period. Taking Ella with hormonal birth control may cause both medicines to not work as well.
Ella does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Ella?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Ella is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss a history of pregnancy outside the womb or if you have taken Ella during the same menstrual cycle for a separate instance of unprotected sex or birth control failure.
Other Medicines and Supplements. Ella may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Ella, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section below for more details.
Pregnancy. Do not take Ella and tell your healthcare provider right away if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. Ella is not to be used to end a pregnancy.
Breastfeeding. Ella passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take Ella while breastfeeding.
How can I get more information about Ella?
For more information about Ella, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at https://www.ella-now.com or call them at 844-994-0329.
Interactions
Does Ella interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between Ella and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Ella.
Does Ella interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Ella.
- St. John’s wort, which is an herb that is used to treat depression
- Hormonal birth control, such as a birth control pill, implant, patch, or intrauterine device
- Bosentan, which is a medicine used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
- Griseofulvin, which is a medicine used for fungus infections
- Phenytoin, topiramate, oxcarbazepine, carbamazepine, and felbamate, which are medicines to control seizures
- A barbiturate such as phenobarbital, butalbital, primidone, and amobarbital, which are medicines that may be used to treat insomnia, migraine, or seizures
- Rifampin, which is a medicine used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Ella. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much Ella?
If you or someone else has taken too much Ella, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Ella?
Ella is taken as a single dose. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you vomit within 3 hours of taking Ella.
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