Morning after pill

The Boots Emergency Contraceptive 1.5mg Tablet can be used to help prevent a pregnancy within 72 hours (three days) of having unprotected sex. The sooner it is taken after unprotected intercourse, the more effective it is and ideally it should be taken within 12 hours.

This morning after pill is thought to be up to 84 per cent effective in preventing pregnancy if it is taken as directed within 72 hours of unprotected sex. It is only intended for occasional use. It should not be used on a regular basis and is not a substitute for long-term contraception. It is important to know that this medicine will not stop a pregnancy if you are already pregnant.

View the Boots EHC information leaflet

The Boots Emergency Contraceptive 1.5mg Tablet costs £26 for a single pack.

When prescribed by your doctor or family planning clinic on the NHS, the morning after pill would be free. Some local NHS organisations make it available free at pharmacies but this is not always the case.

1. Take the tablet as soon as possible after unprotected sex - ideally within 12 hours and before 72 hours has past
2. Swallow the tablet whole, with water
3. If you are sick within three hours you will need to take another tablet. Consult your pharmacist or doctor for more advice and to obtain another tablet.

Always read the label of Boots Emergency Contraceptive 1.5mg Tablets.

If you are sick within three hours of taking the tablet, you should return to your pharmacist or doctor for more advice. If you had to take a morning after pill you may want to find out more about different contraception methods that are available to see which could work for you. Please ask our pharmacists, or visit your family planning clinic for more information.

It may also be worth knowing that the morning after pill may disturb your normal monthly cycle. For example, your next period may start a few days earlier or later than usual. If your next period is more than five days late, or is unusually light or heavy, or there is any other reason you might suspect you are pregnant, you should take a pregnancy test and talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

No. The Boots Emergency Contraceptive 1.5mg Tablet can only be bought or provided free of charge in a Boots store, at the medicines counter. This is because it is important to have a consultation with a pharmacist before buying and taking the emergency contraceptive pill, to make sure it's suitable for you and give you all the advice you need.

Also, it is important to take the morning after pill as quickly as possible after having unprotected sex and visiting your local Boots pharmacy can be a quick option.

It is unclear exactly how the morning after pill works to prevent pregnancy, but it is thought that it:

• Stops the body releasing an egg (ovulating).
• Prevents sperm from meeting an egg that has been, or is about to be released (fertilisation).
• Stops a fertilised egg from attaching itself to the womb.

The tablet will not work if:

• You had unprotected sex more than 72 hours ago
• You are already pregnant

If this is the case, you must not take the tablet.

Some people experience side effects. These may include:

• Dizziness and feeling overly tired
• Feeling sick, being sick, lower stomach pain or diarrhoea
• Headache
• Unexpected bleeding not related to your monthly cycle
• Breast tenderness

If you experience any difficulty in breathing or swelling of the face, neck, tongue or throat, seek medical attention immediately.

Tell the pharmacist or doctor about ANY other medicine you are taking before you take the morning after pill, particularly the following:

• Barbiturates, Primidone, Phenytoin, Carbemazepine (used predominantly to treat epilepsy)
• Rifampicin or Rifabutin (usually for tuberculosis)
• Ritonavir (for HIV infection)
• Griseofulvin (for fungal infections)
• Ciclosporin
• Herbal remedies containing St John's Wort

If you are unsure, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

No it will not protect you from any sexually transmitted disease. Only barrier methods such as condoms can do that.

If you want advice on any aspect of your sexual health and relationships, you can speak in confidence to the pharmacist, your doctor, the family planning clinic or if you are under 25, the Brook Advisory Centre.

If it's been more than 72 hours since you had unprotected sex, do not take the morning after pill. There are other things that can be done to help avoid pregnancy. You can speak to the pharmacist, your doctor, the family planning clinic or if you are under 25 you can also contact the Brook Advisory Centre, for advice on alternative emergency contraception options.