You will be shown to a consultation room so that the pharmacist can discuss your medical history privately. All information will be kept confidential. The pharmacist will need to speak to the intended recipient directly.

The morning after pill is more effective the sooner you take it, so the sooner you visit the pharmacy the better if you wish to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.

When to take

If you have had unprotected sex, it is important you take the morning after pill as quickly as possible.

The deadline for Levonelle is 72 hours (3 days) after the sexual activity, for ellaOne it is 120 hours (5 days).

In both cases, it is better to take it immediately after unprotected sex, rather than waiting for several days.

You can take Levonelle or ellaOne multiple times during a single menstrual cycle.

Future use of the morning after pill

It is possible to purchase the morning after pill in advance with the help of our service. Our pharmacists advise on the most appropriate type of pill when you attend a consultation.

Which pill should I take?

Levonorgestrel and ellaOne are the two types of morning after pill available in our pharmacy.

Levonorgestrel (Levonelle)

This is a synthetic hormone that can simultaneously prevent any eggs you have already released from being fertilised by sperm whilst blocking eggs that are still in the ovaries from release. A levonorgestrel pill will not be effective unless you take it within 3 days of when you had unprotected sex.

EllaOne

The main chemical in EllaOne is ulipristal acetate. It stops you from becoming pregnant by blocking the release of eggs from the ovaries, which means they cannot be fertilised. The effectiveness of EllaOne lasts for around 5 days after you have had unprotected sex. EllaOne may also reduce the effectiveness of the combined pill or other hormonal contraception, so you should also use condoms or other precautions at the same time.

Emergency contraception and sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can still be transmitted if you take a morning after pill after sex without a condom. We offer advice on STIs through our online sexual health clinics, which can also test for a range of infections and provide you with treatment.

There are also likely to be in-person sexual health clinics in your local area, and your GP should also be able to help with any STI-related concerns.

Other forms of emergency contraception

Intrauterine devices (IUDs), also called copper coils, can also be used as emergency contraception. Visit your doctor or a local family planning clinic within 5 days of having unprotected sex to have one fitted. This is the most effective form of emergency contraception but you should also take the morning after pill in case there is a delay with your fitting.

Please note

If you have taken a morning after pill but your period has not started within a week of its due date, you should take a pregnancy test.

The morning after pill can only be purchased by women, after filling out a suitability questionnaire.

Service details

Price: Unlike most pharmacies, we can offer the morning after pill to anyone younger than 24 for free, as long as they meet NHS criteria. Our pharmacies can also let you buy the pill privately.

Frequency: As required.

Availability: View your pharmacy of choice online or visit in person for more information about this service.