Emergency pill in advance - single pack - £25.99

This service lets you have the emergency pill ready for when you need it. If you've already had unprotected sex and need the emergency pill straight away, you mustn't use this service and should go to a pharmacy, GP or family planic clinic straight away.

How long does it take for the emergency pill to arrive?

If it's safe to do so, our doctors will prescribe and send out the emergency pill no sooner than 72 hours after you requested it. We wait 72 hours to discourage anyone from relying upon this service if they need the emergency pill for sex that they've already had.

Is the emergency pill effective?

The emergency pill is more effective the sooner you take it. Of the pregnancies that could be expected to occur if the emergency pill isn't used, the emergency pill is thought to prevent 95% of pregnancies if taken withon 24 hours, up to 85% if taken within 48 hours, and up to 58% if taken within 72 hours. There isn't sufficient data to know how effective the emergency pill is if taken after 72 hours. If you vomit within two hours of taking the emergency pill, it probably won't work. The emergency pill is far less effective than ongoing contraceptive methods.

What other types of emergency contraception are there?

The other type of emergency contraception is the emergency IUD. An emergency IUD is more effective than the emergency pill, but is less convenient in the sense that a trained person needs to fit one. If you had sex more than 72 hours ago, you're strongly advised to use an emergency IUD and not the emergency pill.

What are the potential side-effects of the emergency pill?

The emergency pill has no serious or long lasting side-effects. Some women may suffer from nausea after taking the emergency pill. A very small number of women vomit after taking it. It's possible that the emergency pill may cause a rash, although this is extremely rare.

Who should not use this service?

Our doctors are only able to prescribe the emergency pill to women aged over 18. Men can not request treatment on behalf of their partners. A woman who already knows that she's allergic to levonorgestrel should not use this service.