The FAQ's of buying Ella online.

FAQ

What is ella®?

How does ella® work?

What is the difference between ella® and Plan-B®?

How effective is ella®?

Who should not take ella®?

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking ella®?

How should I take ella®?

When is it not appropriate to use ella®?

What if I am already pregnant and use ella®?

What should I do if my menstrual period is delayed beyond 1 week or I have severe lower stomach (abdominal) pain?

How often can I use ella®?

What are the possible side effects of ella®?

How should I store ella®?

What are the ingredients in ella®?

What should I do if I have additional questions about ella®?

How quickly will I receive my medication?

How can it be legal to prescribe medications online?

How does the online consultation work?

May I place an order for my spouse, friend or significant other?

Do you accept Flex Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HAS) cards?

May I have my prescription filled at another pharmacy?

What is ella®?
ella® is an emergency contraceptive that reduces your chance of becoming pregnant in the event of birth control failure or unprotected sex. ella® is not intended for use as your regular birth control. It is very important that you have a reliable form of regular preventative birth control that is right for you. ella® will not protect you against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

How does ella® work?
ella® is thought to work primarily by postponing the release of an egg from the ovary. ella® may also work by preventing attachment (implantation) of the egg to the uterine wall.

What is the difference between ella® and Plan-B®?
The primary difference between ella® and Plan-B® is the amount of time you have after contraception failure or unprotected sex to obtain and take the medication. ella® is effective up to 120 hours (5 days) after intercourse. Plan-B® is only effective for 72 hours (3 days) after intercourse.

How effective is ella®?
When ella® is taken as directed, it can reduce the chance that you will get pregnant after unprotected intercourse or contraception failure. ella® is not effective in every case. ella® is only intended for use after a single episode of unprotected intercourse. Be sure to use a regular preventative method of birth control the next time you have intercourse.

Who should not take ella®?
You should not take ella® if you know or suspect you are already pregnant. ella® is not for use to end an existing pregnancy. Talk to your Physician and/or Pharmacist before taking ella® if you think you may be pregnant.

Do not take ella® if you are breastfeeding, it is not known if ella® is excreted into breast milk.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking ella®?
Tell your Physician about any medications you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines (OTC), vitamins, and herbal supplements. Using other medications may affect how ella® works. These may include but are not limited to, St. John's Wort, phenytoin, rifampin, phenobarbital, and carbamazepine, ketoconazole.

How should I take ella®?
Take ella® as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse or contraception failure. ella® can be taken up to 5 days (120 hrs) from when the unprotected sex or contraceptive failure occurred. ella® can be taken with or without food.

Contact your Physician and/or Pharmacist immediately if you vomit within 3 hours of taking ella®. Another dose of ella® may be prescribed for you.

ella® can be taken at any time during the menstrual cycle.

When is it not appropriate to use ella®?
ella® is not intended for use as a regular birth control method. It does not work as well as most other forms of birth control when they are used properly.

Do not use ella® if you are already or suspect that you may be pregnant.

Do not use ella® more than one time in the same menstrual cycle for different acts of unprotected intercourse or contraception failure.

What if I am already pregnant and use ella®?
ella® should not be taken if you are already or believe you may be pregnant. There is little data on whether or not ella® would harm a developing baby. Contact your Physician and/or Pharmacist if you think you may be pregnant and have taken ella®. ella® is not intended for use to terminate an existing pregnancy.

What should I do if my menstrual period is delayed beyond 1 week or I have severe lower stomach (abdominal) pain?
After taking ella®, your next menstrual period may begin a few days earlier or later than expected. If your next cycle is more than 7 days later than expected, you may be pregnant. You should get a pregnancy test and follow up with your healthcare provider. If you have severe lower stomach (abdominal) pain 3 to 5 weeks after taking ella®, you may have a pregnancy outside of the uterus (womb), which is called an ectopic or tubal pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is a serious condition that needs urgent medical treatment. Call your local Physician or hospital or go to the nearest emergency room if you think you may have an ectopic pregnancy.

How often can I use ella®?
ella® is meant for emergency contraception only, and is not to be used repeatedly or as a regular form of birth control. If you need to use emergency contraception often, talk to your Physician about your birth control options and ways to protect yourself from sexually transmitted disease.

What are the possible side effects of ella®?
The most common side effects of ella® include (but are not limited to):
headache, nausea, stomach (abdominal) pain, menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea), tiredness, dizziness

Some women taking ella® may experience their next period earlier or later than expected. If your next period is more than a week late, you should get a pregnancy test. Tell your Physician and/or Pharmacist if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Contact your Physician or Pharmacist for any questions regarding side effects you may be experiencing or any questions you may have.

How should I store ella®?
Store ella® at room temperature, 68-77°F (20-25°C). Protect ella® from light. Keep ella® in the original box until you are ready to take it. Do not use ella® if the package is torn or broken. Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

What are the ingredients in ella®?
Active ingredients: ulipristal acetate, 30 mg Inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, povidone, croscarmellose sodium, and magnesium stearate

What should I do if I have additional questions about ella®?
If you have additional questions about ella® please contact ella-KwikMed by phone or email to speak with a Physician or Pharmacist.

Toll-Free: 855-235-5279
Email: service@ella-kwikmed.com

How quickly will I receive my medication?
Orders placed before 1:00pm (Mountain), Monday - Friday, will be shipped that same day to be received the next day.

Orders placed on Friday after 1:00pm (Mountain) and before 12:00pm (Mountain) on Saturday will be shipped for Monday delivery.

Orders placed after 12:00pm (Mountain) Saturday will be shipped for Tuesday delivery.

Orders placed on Sunday will be shipped for Tuesday delivery.

How can it be legal to prescribe medications online?
KwikMed operates in accordance with Utah State Law 58-83 and R156-83 and has been licensed by the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing to facilitate the prescribing of certain medications using an online diagnostic consultation. All prescriptions are written by a licensed Physician who prescribes the medication based on a detailed medical history and, whenever necessary, personalized follow-up through e-mail and phone communication.

How does the online consultation work?
You will be asked to complete a detailed medical assessment highlighting your relevant medical history and any existing medical conditions you have and also to list any prescription or over-the-counter medications you may be taking. Starting with general questions, the medical assessment increasingly focuses on issues specific to each patient. The Physician reviewing your medical assessment, as well as the Pharmacist filling your prescription, may contact you for additional information and/or decline your request for a prescription based on the information you provide. KwikMed does not charge for its online medical consultation.

May I place an order for my spouse, friend or significant other?
No, each patient must complete their own online diagnostic medical assessment. Our system collects a complete patient medical history to allow our Physicians to make an accurate diagnosis and to prescribe a treatment and it needs to be obtained directly from each patient.

Do you accept Flex Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HAS) cards?
Yes, KwikMed is registered as a SIGIS member for the 90% Rule. We are able to accept FSA and HSA cards as payment.

May I have my prescription filled at another pharmacy?
Yes, you may have your prescription filled at another pharmacy at any time; however, there will be a $35 processing fee. At KwikMed the cost for a Physician to evaluate your medical history and for our pharmacy to fill your prescription are built into the cost of the medicine. When a patient chooses to have their medication filled elsewhere, we must separate the costs.

KwikMed in the News

USA Today

January 5, 2010

"In Utah, a push to expand online prescriptions nationwide"

The Salt Lake Tribune

January 05, 2010

"Utah to regulate online RXs?"

The Buffalo News

December 09, 2008

"No doctor visit needed"

US News & World Report

October 27, 2008