How to take the morning after pill
Usually, you’ll take a morning after pill with a glass of water. As with most medications, each morning after pill has its own specific instructions on how it should be taken. The one you’ll take will be determined by your medical history, any health conditions you currently have and treatments you take for them.
You can find all the information you’ll need to know on our product pages. Always make sure you follow the advice which is on the patient information leaflet in your tablet box and chat to your prescriber if you have any questions or need additional information on it.
Sometimes, the morning after pill can make you feel a bit nauseous and tired. These side effects should pass quickly. It’s important to know that if you are sick within two hours of taking it, then it’s possible that the tablet won’t have absorbed it fully. If that happens, chat to our clinician about your symptoms as you may need a second dose.
When do I need to take the morning after pill?
You should take the morning after pill if you’ve had unprotected sex, or if you’ve had sex and your usual method of contraception (such as a condom) has failed and you don’t want to become pregnant.
It should be taken within 72 hours, ideally, though ellaOne, among other pills containing ulipristal acetate, can be taken up to 120 hours after having unprotected sex, and it's 98% effective.
If you’re already pregnant then the morning after pill will not be effective, or suitable to take. In these circumstances, you should speak to your clinician or go to your local sexual health clinic to seek help and get advice on what to do next.
How long does it take the morning after pill to work?
A morning after pill, if taken straight away and with the appropriate medical advice, should be effective in preventing pregnancy immediately.
If you’re unwell after taking it, for instance, if you’re sick or have an upset stomach, it’s worth checking in with your prescriber to seek advice on what to do next as you might need to take a second dose if it hasn’t been fully absorbed.
Do I need a pregnancy test after taking the morning after pill?
If you’re still concerned you might be pregnant after taking the morning after pill, the best course of action is to wait until your next period is due and then take a pregnancy test.
If you have an irregular menstrual cycle, then wait 21 days after having unprotected sex before taking a pregnancy test.
It’s worth noting that sometimes the morning after pill can delay the onset of a period, too. Occasionally, stress and worry can make things feel worse, and you’re not alone in feeling that way. It’s a perfectly normal and understandable reaction to have. If you have any questions or queries, have a chat with our clinician and they’ll be able to help you.
This page was medically reviewed by
Dr Daniel Atkinson, GP Clinical Lead on August 02, 2022. Next review due on August 01, 2025.
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