Alcohol and the Morning After Pill: Does Drinking Impact Its Effectiveness?
Emergency contraception is an essential option for preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. However, many people have concerns about how lifestyle factors—such as alcohol consumption—can impact its effectiveness. If you’re considering taking ellaOne tablets, you might be wondering whether drinking alcohol could reduce their ability to work. At Mistrys Pharmacy, we’re here to provide clarity on this important topic.
Does Alcohol Reduce the Effectiveness of ellaOne Tablets?
The short answer is no, alcohol does not directly reduce the effectiveness of ellaOne tablets. The active ingredient in ellaOne, ulipristal acetate, works by delaying ovulation, preventing the release of an egg that could be fertilised. Alcohol does not interfere with this mechanism, meaning that ellaOne remains effective even if you have been drinking.
However, while alcohol does not affect the pill itself, it can indirectly influence how well emergency contraception works. Drinking can impact decision-making, leading to delays in taking the pill, missing doses, or experiencing side effects that could reduce its effectiveness.
How Alcohol Can Indirectly Affect Emergency Contraception
While alcohol won’t chemically alter how ellaOne tablets work, there are several ways in which drinking could still affect their overall effectiveness:
1. Delaying When You Take the Pill
ellaOne is most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex, up to 120 hours (5 days). If alcohol impairs your judgement or causes you to forget, you may end up taking the pill later than recommended, reducing its chances of success.
2. Vomiting After Taking the Pill
Drinking too much alcohol can lead to nausea and vomiting. If you vomit within three hours of taking ellaOne tablets, the medication may not have been fully absorbed into your system. In this case, it is recommended that you take another dose as soon as possible.
3. Forgetting to Use Additional Contraception
After taking ellaOne, your regular contraception (such as the pill or patch) may be less effective for the rest of your cycle. You should use barrier methods like condoms until your next period to prevent pregnancy. Alcohol can impair judgement and decision-making, increasing the risk of forgetting to use extra protection.
Other Factors That Can Influence the Effectiveness of ellaOne
Aside from alcohol, several other factors can impact how well ellaOne tablets work. It’s important to be aware of these when considering emergency contraception.
1. Body Weight and BMI
Some studies suggest that ellaOne may be less effective in individuals with a higher BMI (Body Mass Index). While emergency contraception is still recommended regardless of weight, those with a BMI over 30 may want to discuss alternative options, such as the copper IUD, which remains highly effective for all body types.
2. Other Medications
Certain medications can reduce the effectiveness of ellaOne tablets, including:
- Some epilepsy medications
- Certain antibiotics (e.g., rifampicin and rifabutin)
- St John’s Wort (a herbal supplement)
- Some HIV medications
If you are taking any of these, it’s important to discuss alternative emergency contraception options with a pharmacist.
3. Multiple Uses Within a Menstrual Cycle
Although you can take ellaOne tablets more than once in a menstrual cycle, doing so is not ideal as it can cause hormonal imbalances and irregular periods. It’s better to use a reliable long-term contraceptive method to prevent repeated use of emergency contraception.
Best Practices for Taking ellaOne After Drinking Alcohol
If you’ve had alcohol and need to take ellaOne, follow these steps to ensure maximum effectiveness:
- Take the pill as soon as possible after unprotected sex.
- Set a reminder if you’ve been drinking to avoid forgetting.
- Avoid further drinking if you feel nauseous, as vomiting may require you to take another dose.
- Use condoms or another form of contraception for the rest of your cycle.
Getting the Best Results
While alcohol does not directly impact the effectiveness of ellaOne tablets, it can indirectly affect how well they work by delaying when you take them, causing vomiting, or leading to poor contraceptive decisions later in your cycle. For the best results, take ellaOne as soon as possible, avoid excessive alcohol consumption immediately after taking it, and use additional protection for the rest of your cycle.
At Mistrys Pharmacy, we offer confidential women’s health services and emergency contraception services to help you make informed decisions about your reproductive health. If you have concerns about emergency contraception or need guidance, contact our pharmacy today for expert support.
This blog was written on behalf of Mistrys Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.
