The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ella, a new morning after pill, also known as an emergency contraception pill. The FDA has approved Ella (ulipristal acetate) in tablet form. The drug has been approved as a prescription-only-product. The drug prevents pregnancy if taken within five days after unprotected sexual intercourse. The FDA however, stressed that people should not use Ella as a contraceptive.
According to FDA, Ella is a progesterone agonist/antagonist, and it inhibits or delays ovulation. The drug is on sale since May 2009 in Europe under the name EllaOne.
“Emergency contraception has no effect on pregnancy rates or abortion rates. Women just don’t use them enough to make an impact,” said Dr. James Trussell, director of the Office of Population Research at Princeton to Foodconsumer.org. Trussel has consulted without charge for ella’s maker. “Paris-based Laboratoire HRA Pharma has manufactured Ella and it will be distributed by Watson Pharma Inc., of Morristown, N.J.
Ella package warnings and precautions:
*Ella is not indicated for termination of an existing pregnancy. Exclude pregnancy before administering.
*Ectopic pregnancy: Women who become pregnant or complain of lower abdominal pain after taking Ella should be evaluated for ectopic pregnancy.
*Effect on menstrual cycle: Ella may alter the next expected menses. If menses is delayed beyond 1 week, pregnancy should be ruled out.
*Ella does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Ella package side effects:
*headache
*abdominal pain
*nausea
*dysmenorrhea
*fatigue
*dizziness
Women, who are pregnant or nursing, should not consume Ella.
