Emergency contraception is a safe, effective and responsible method of preventing pregnancy when regular contraception has failed or if no contraception was used.

Emergency contraception pills are available directly from a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription to women over 16 years of age, subject to meeting certain medical criteria which are outlined on the consultation form.

Emergency contraception is only available for click and collect to patients 18 + years who meet the necessary medical criteria.

• Emergency contraceptive pills may prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex by postponing ovulation if it has not already happened, this means the sperm waiting in the fallopian tubes will be unable to meet an egg and fertilise it. This is similar to regular contraceptive pills, which also work by preventing egg release. Emergency contraceptive pills are not 100% effective. This is because there is a chance that you may have already ovulated when you take an emergency contraceptive pill. Taking emergency contraceptive pills as soon as possible after unprotected sex gives the best chance of success.
• Remember, emergency contraception cannot protect against sexually transmitted disease. No morning after pill is safe to be used on a regular basis and should be used for emergency only and not as a form of contraception.
• If you have any questions about contraception or STI’s s you should speak to a nurse or doctor or visit www.thinkcontraception.ie
• Some of the reasons it may not be suitable to supply emergency contraception for click and collect include:
• Too much time has passed for the medicine to be effective
• You are taking another medicine that may interact with emergency contraception
• You have an existing medical condition that means it is not safe to take emergency contraception
• You are under the age of 18.
• The above list is not exhaustive. The consultation form is the first point of patient assessment which is then reviewed by a pharmacist in store to ascertain if emergency contraception is suitable.

ellaOne® is the most effective emergency contraceptive pill, preventing 98% of possible pregnancies when taken within the 120 hours (5 days) timeframe.

You must not take it if more than 120 hours have passed since you had sex, if you are breastfeeding or if you are already pregnant.

It is possible that ellaOne® could be less effective at preventing pregnancy if you have taken the contraceptive pill in the last seven days. ellaOne® may also be less effective if you have a BMI of 30 or higher. ellaOne® may make regular contraceptives less effective so you should use a barrier contraceptive method (such as a condom) until your next period. ellaOne® should not be used with emergency contraceptives containing levonorgestrel.

Even when taking ellaOne® as advised by your pharmacist, there remains a small risk that you may become pregnant. Speak to your doctor if you are unsure whether the morning after pill has worked.

In certain circumstances, such as if a woman is breastfeeding, ellaOne® is unsuitable and an alternative such as Norlevo may be offered.

A consultation form must be completed in advance of purchase, this form will assess your suitability for the “morning after pill”.

If you meet all medical criteria, you will be allowed to order, make payment and select a McCabes Pharmacy store from which to collect your purchase.

You will then receive an order confirmation email from McCabes Pharmacy directing you to your preferred collection point.

Upon arrival, please proceed to the dispensary counter to collect your order, you will be met by a pharmacist who will have your completed consultation form and medication ready.

A brief consultation with the pharmacist will be done in a private consultation room, this will give you the opportunity to ask the pharmacist any questions you may have.

Patients are asked to provide a telephone contact number during the online purchase process, this means should a pharmacist wish to query a potential issue, it is done prior to your arrival to collect your purchase, making the consultation process much faster and more convenient for you.

Your order will be available for collection within 1 hour of placing the order online. This is subject to your chosen local store opening times. Glasnevin, Swords Pavilions and Dundrum are late night pharmacies and are open until 9 pm and 10 pm respectively.

The private consultation with the pharmacist will take approx. 5 minutes.