Emergency Hormonal Contraception

About this service

At Weldricks, our pharmacists can provide a private and confidential consultation, along with advice on emergency hormonal contraception. Emergency contraception can prevent up to 95% of pregnancies when taken 5 days after sex. 

Our pharmacies offer the Emergency Hormonal Contraceptive (Morning after Pill) tablet to buy. The morning after pill works by delaying your ovulation so that you don't release an egg for remaining sperm to fertilize.

Contact your local branch to confirm availability, or discover our morning after pill range.

 

FAQ

What is EHC?
Emergency Hormonal contraception (EHC) is more commonly know as the ‘morning after pill’. If you have had unprotected sex, taking the morning after pill within a few days can help to prevent pregnancy.
The pill can also be effective if you have used contraception but, for example you have forgotten to take your usual contraceptive pill, or the condom split during sex.
What happens if I need the morning after pill from the pharmacy?
You will be given a private consultation with the Pharmacist who will ask questions to assess the best treatment option for you.
You will also be provided with information on longer term contraception such as the contraceptive pill.
Is it free?
Some Weldricks pharmacies offer an NHS commissioned service where the morning after pill can be given free of charge. You can check the website for which branches offer this service.
If the branch doesn’t offer the NHS locally commissioned service, you can purchase the morning after pill over the counter.
If I’m buying the morning after pill over the counter do I still need to speak to the pharmacist?
You will need to speak to the pharmacist so they can be sure they are offering you the correct treatment. There are time limitations on when the morning after pill is most effective and the pharmacist will need to assess if it is appropriate to sell this to you.
Is the morning after pill safe?
There are no serious or long-term side effects from taking the emergency contraceptive pill, however you may experience some short term side effects.
It can cause:
• Headaches
• Tummy pain
• Changes to your next period – it can be earlier or later
• Feeling nauseous (seek medical attention if you are sick within two hours of taking the pill as you may need another dose).
Who can take the morning after pill?
Most women can use the emergency contraceptive pill, including women who can’t use hormonal contraception, such as the combined pill or contraceptive patch. Girls under 16 can also use it.
You may not be able to take the emergency contraceptive pill if you are allergic to anything in it, have severe asthma or take medication that may interact with it. You can discuss your regular medication with the pharmacist at your consultation who will provide the appropriate advice if the emergency pill is unsuitable.
When do I take the morning after pill?
The morning after pill needs to be taken within 3 days (Levonelle) or 5 days (EllaOne) of unprotected sex for it to be effective – the sooner you take it, the more effective it will be.

Available at the following pharmacies

Branches

All pharmacy services

A consultation can be booked online.
An in-pharmacy appointment can be booked online.
Find your nearest Weldricks pharmacy