Emergency hormonal contraception, also called “the morning after pill”, is available from Lloydspharmacy with or without a doctor’s prescription.

What is it?
Emergency hormonal contraception contains levonorgestrel and is taken as a single pill. It can work in a number of ways:
• Delaying the release of an egg (ovulation)
• Preventing fertilisation
• Stopping a fertilised egg from settling in your womb

Why might I need it?
If you’ve had unprotected sex then you can use emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.

The reasons for unprotected sex may include:
• Not using any form of contraception
• Failure of barrier contraception, such as a burst condom
• Missed pills – leading to a loss of protection from your contraceptive pill
• Antibiotics or other medicines or supplements that may make the contraceptive pill less effective

Is it reliable?
It is more effective the sooner you take it. If this is within 24 hours of unprotected sex, it is about 95% effective. It must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, after this you should visit a contraceptive, sexual health or GUM clinic, walk-in centre or your GP surgery as soon as possible. They may be able to offer another form of emergency contraception.

How can I get emergency hormonal contraception from Lloydspharmacy?
You can obtain it from Lloydspharmacy without a prescription in one of two ways:

• Purchase it over the counter. It is only available in this way if you are 16 years or older. Its costs around £22.50 to buy

• Many pharmacies operate a NHS service which provides emergency hormonal contraception free of charge. This service is usually restricted to the under 25s but this can vary locally depending on local NHS policy. Your local Lloydspharmacy will tell you if a scheme is available in your locality

Is emergency hormonal contraception available from all pharmacies?
In the UK, pharmacists, as with other healthcare professionals, are able to choose not to supply it. However, they should direct you to the nearest alternative place that can supply it for you.

Can I ask someone else to get it for me?
No, you would need to obtain it yourself. Before supplying it to you, you will have a brief consultation with the pharmacist, who will ask you some questions that only you will have the answers to.

Can I carry on using it each time I need to instead of using regular contraception?
It is best to use a form of regular contraception. This is far more effective than emergency contraception, which can vary from being up to 95% effective if taken within 24 hours to 58% if taken within 72 hours, so there can be a 4 in 10 chance of emergency contraception failing if not taken early enough.

As well as other forms of regular contraception available with a prescription from your GP, we carry a variety of condoms in our pharmacies to cater for all preferences.

Is it safe?
Emergency contraception is very safe with no serious short-term or long-term effects. Side effects may include feeling sick, dizziness, tiredness, headache, breast tenderness or abdominal pain. If it were to fail and you became pregnant, then it has not been shown to affect the pregnancy or harm the developing baby.

For further information Ask Lloydspharmacy