Ella Is a Prescription Emergency Contraceptive Pill That Works Up to 5 Days After Unprotected Sex

Ella (Ulipristal Acetate) is a single-dose prescription emergency contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure. It's the most effective emergency contraceptive pill available, working for up to 120 hours (5 days) — longer than over-the-counter options like Plan B.

Here's everything you need to know about Ella in 2026: what it is, how to take it, who should avoid it, and what it costs.

What Is Ella?

Let's break down the basics:

• Brand name: Ella (known as ellaOne internationally)
• Generic name: Ulipristal Acetate
• Drug class: Selective Progesterone Receptor Modulator
• Manufacturer: Laboratoire HRA Pharma (now owned by Perrigo Company plc)
• FDA approval: Approved in the United States in August 2010; commercially available since December 2010
• Controlled substance: No — Ella is not a controlled substance and has no DEA schedule
• Dosage form: 30 mg oral tablet, supplied in a single-dose blister pack
• Prescription required: Yes

Ella belongs to a class of drugs called selective progesterone receptor modulators. It works differently from Levonorgestrel-based emergency contraceptives (like Plan B), which are progestin-based. For a deeper explanation, read How Does Ella Work? Mechanism of Action Explained.

What Is Ella Used For?

Ella has one FDA-approved indication:

Emergency contraception — to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure (such as a broken condom or missed birth control pills). Ella is effective when taken within 120 hours (5 days) of the event.

Key things to understand:

• Ella is not a regular birth control method. It's for emergency use only.
• Ella will not terminate an existing pregnancy. If you're already pregnant, Ella won't work.
• Ella works primarily by delaying ovulation, preventing the egg from being released.

There are no FDA-approved off-label uses for Ella's 30 mg formulation in the United States. (Higher doses of Ulipristal Acetate are used in some countries for uterine fibroids, but that's a different product.)

How Is Ella Taken?

Ella is simple to take:

• Dose: One 30 mg tablet — that's it. A single dose.
• Timing: Take it as soon as possible within 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex. The sooner, the better.
• With food? Ella can be taken with or without food.
• If you vomit: If you throw up within 3 hours of taking the tablet, contact your healthcare provider. You may need to take another dose.

After taking Ella, use a barrier method of contraception (like condoms) until your next menstrual period. Do not restart hormonal birth control (the pill, patch, ring, etc.) for at least 5 days after taking Ella, because hormonal contraceptives can reduce Ella's effectiveness.

Who Should Not Take Ella?

Ella is contraindicated in the following situations:

• Known or suspected pregnancy — Ella is not intended for use during pregnancy.
• Known hypersensitivity — If you've had an allergic reaction to Ulipristal Acetate or any of its ingredients.

Additional considerations:

• Breastfeeding: Ulipristal Acetate passes into breast milk. If you're breastfeeding, pump and discard milk for 24 hours after taking Ella.
• Pre-menarchal: Ella is not indicated for use in girls who haven't started menstruating yet.
• Drug interactions: Certain medications, especially CYP3A4 inducers like Rifampin, Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, and the herbal supplement St. John's Wort, can reduce Ella's effectiveness. Hormonal contraceptives may also interfere. See our full guide on Ella drug interactions.

How Much Does Ella Cost?

Here's what you can expect to pay for Ella in 2026:

• Cash price: $40–$90 per tablet, depending on the pharmacy.
• With insurance: Under the ACA, most insurance plans must cover FDA-approved emergency contraception with no cost-sharing when prescribed. This means you may pay $0. However, you'll need a prescription, which may require a doctor's visit (and a possible copay for that visit).
• Discount cards: GoodRx coupons can bring the price down to about $39–$43. SingleCare and Optum Perks also offer discounts.
• Telehealth: Platforms like Nurx and Wisp offer Ella for around $45, including the consultation and medication.
• Generic: As of 2026, there is no generic version of Ella available in the United States.

For more ways to reduce your cost, check out our guide on how to save money on Ella.

Ella vs. Plan B: What's the Difference?

The two most common emergency contraceptive pills in the U.S. are Ella and Plan B. Here's how they compare:

• Active ingredient: Ella contains Ulipristal Acetate; Plan B contains Levonorgestrel.
• Time window: Ella works up to 5 days (120 hours); Plan B is most effective within 3 days (72 hours), though it can be taken up to 5 days with decreasing effectiveness.
• Prescription: Ella requires a prescription; Plan B is available over the counter.
• Effectiveness at days 4–5: Ella maintains better effectiveness in the 4–5 day window compared to Plan B.
• Cost: Both are in a similar price range ($40–$50), though Plan B has cheaper generic versions (Take Action, My Way) available for under $20.
• Availability: Plan B is much easier to find since it's OTC. Ella can be harder to locate at retail pharmacies.

For a complete comparison of options, see Alternatives to Ella.

How to Get Ella

Since Ella requires a prescription, here's the typical process:

1. Get a prescription — from your doctor, urgent care, Planned Parenthood, or a telehealth provider.
2. Find a pharmacy — Not all pharmacies stock Ella. Use Medfinder to check which pharmacies near you have it in stock.
3. Take it ASAP — The sooner you take Ella, the more effective it is.

Final Thoughts

Ella is the most effective emergency contraceptive pill available, offering a full 5-day window of effectiveness after unprotected sex. It requires a prescription but is generally well-tolerated with mild, temporary side effects. The biggest challenge in 2026 isn't getting a prescription — it's finding a pharmacy that stocks it.

Need Ella now? Search Medfinder to find it in stock near you.