EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILL

Question 1

Which emergency pills are available and when do you offer each one?

Answer 1

if within 72hrs of UPSI can use any of:

• Levonelle
• Ellaone (oral = stops/delays release of egg)
• IUD

if after 72hrs of UPSI can use any of:

• Ellaone
• IUD

Question 2

EllaOne - effectiveness?

Answer 2

Ellaone - 99% effective the entire 5 days, cannot be used >1x in same menstrual cycle

Question 3

Levonelle - effectiveness?

Answer 3

Levonelle - becomes less effective after 12hrs of UPSI

Question 4

IUD - effectiveness?

Answer 4

IUD - insertion of small device into your womb (>99% effective) – stops egg from implanting +/- being fertilised - if chosen can be used as an ongoing method of contraception

Question 5

What do you need to advise patients taking EllaOne and Levonelle about in terms of vomiting after taking the pill?

Answer 5

If you vomit within 2hrs of Levonelle or 3hrs of EllaOne – come back as you may need another dose or to have an IUD instead

Question 6

Emergency contraception (oral) - side effects

Answer 6

headache

tummy pain

nausea

vomiting

Question 7

When should patients take a pregnancy test after taking the emergency contraception?

Answer 7

Do a pregnancy test in about 3 weeks

Question 8

If a patient is taking hormonal contraception and they require EllaOne - what do you need to advise them regarding when to continue using their regular hormonal contraception

Answer 8

wait 5 days after EllaOne to restart pill

Question 9

Which medications interact with EllaOne and therefore would mean a patient has to use a different emergency contraception

Answer 9

If herbal medicine St John’s Wort (mental health), anti-epileptics, PPI, rifampicin – cannot use Ellaone