Who can take the emergency contraceptive pill (morning after pill)

Can I take the emergency contraceptive pill?

You should be able to take the emergency contraceptive pill even if you cannot use other hormonal contraception, such as the combined pill.

The emergency contraceptive pill may not be suitable for you if you need to take steroid medicines for asthma or if you are overweight.

A doctor, nurse or pharmacist can discuss with you whether the emergency contraceptive pill is suitable for you.

Breastfeeding after taking the emergency pill

You’ll need to pause breastfeeding after taking the emergency contraceptive pill.

How long you need to pause breastfeeding depends on which type of emergency pill you take.

Speak to a pharmacist or check the information that comes in the emergency pill pack to check how long to avoid breastfeeding.

You can also find the information leaflet online by searching for the emergency pill’s brand name on the eMC website.

Medicines and herbal remedies that affect the emergency contraceptive pill

Ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking the emergency contraceptive pill if you take medicine to treat TB (tuberculosis), epilepsy or HIV.

You should also ask for advice if you take griseofulvin (an antifungal medicine), or St John's wort (a herbal remedy).

You may be advised to have an IUD fitted as emergency contraception instead of using the emergency pill.