Existing Pregnancy: ella is not indicated for termination of an existing pregnancy. ( 5.1) Ectopic pregnancy: Evaluate women who become pregnant or complain of lower abdominal pain after taking ella for ectopic pregnancy. Fertility Following Use : Rapid return of fertility is likely. Subsequent acts of intercourse should be protected by a reliable barrier method of contraception until the next menstrual period. Effect on Menstrual Cycle: ella may alter the next expected menses. If menses is delayed beyond 1 week, rule out pregnancy. Ella does not protect against STI/HIV. 5.1 Existing Pregnancy Ella is not indicated for termination of an existing pregnancy
Ectopic Pregnancy A history of ectopic pregnancy is not a contraindication to use of this emergency contraceptive method. Healthcare providers, however, should consider the possibility of ectopic pregnancy in women who become pregnant or complain of lower abdominal pain after taking ella . A follow-up physical or pelvic examination is recommended if there is any doubt concerning the general health or pregnancy status of any woman after taking ella
Repeated Use Ella is for occasional use as an emergency contraceptive. It should not replace a regular method of contraception. Repeated use of ella within the same menstrual cycle is not recommended, as safety and efficacy of repeat use within the same cycle has not been evaluated
CYP3A4 Inducers A CYP3A4 inducer, rifampin, decreases the plasma concentration of ella significantly. Ella should not be administered with CYP3A4 inducers
Fertility Following Use A rapid return of fertility is likely following treatment with ella for emergency contraception. After use of ella , a reliable barrier method of contraception should be used with subsequent acts of intercourse until the next menstrual period. After using ella , if a woman wishes to initiate hormonal contraception as a regular method, she can do so, no sooner than 5 days after the intake of ella and she should use a reliable barrier method until the next menstrual period [ see Dosage and Administration , Drug Interactions (7.1 and 7.3 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ]. Progestin-containing contraceptives may impair the ability of ella to delay ovulation. Advise women to follow the instructions on the initiation or resumption of hormonal contraceptives after ella intake
Effect on Menstrual Cycle After ella intake, menses sometimes occur earlier or later than expected by a few days. In clinical trials, cycle length was increased by a mean of 2.5 days but returned to normal in the subsequent cycle. Seven percent of subjects reported menses occurring more than 7 days earlier than expected, and 19% reported a delay of more than 7 days. If there is a delay in the onset of expected menses beyond 1 week, rule out pregnancy. Nine percent of women studied reported intermenstrual bleeding after use of ella
Sexually Transmitted Infections/HIV Ella does not protect against HIV infection (the virus that causes AIDS) or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).