# ellaOne vs Levonelle: Cost & Differences | Pick My Pharmacy URL: https://pickmypharmacy.co.uk/answers/ellaone-vs-levonelle-which-is-better/ Description: How ellaOne and Levonelle differ on timing window and typical private price, when free NHS emergency contraception is available, and when a copper IUD… --- - [Home](/) - /[Answers](/answers/) - /ellaOne vs Levonelle — which is better? Costs & Charges # ellaOne vs Levonelle — which is better? By [Kaiser Khan](/author/kaiser-khan/) · Updated 12 August 2026 In short ellaOne (ulipristal) can be taken up to 120 hours after unprotected sex and typically costs £25–£40 privately. Levonelle (levonorgestrel) is usually for use within 72 hours and typically costs £10–£30. Free NHS pharmacy supply is often available — ask first. A copper IUD fitted in a clinic is more effective than either pill. A pharmacist should advise which medicine suits your situation; this page is a cost-and-timing map, not a clinical recommendation. At a glance - ·ellaOne: up to 120 hours; typical private £25–£40 - ·Levonelle: usually within 72 hours; typical private £10–£30 - ·Free NHS pharmacy schemes often available — ask before paying - ·Copper IUD is the most effective emergency method - ·Earlier is better for either pill ## Which pill has the longer window — ellaOne or Levonelle? Both reduce pregnancy risk after unprotected sex; effectiveness falls with time, so earlier is better. ellaOne (ulipristal acetate) is licensed for use up to 120 hours (five days). Levonelle (levonorgestrel) is usually for use within 72 hours (three days). A copper IUD fitted in a sexual-health clinic or GP service is more effective than either pill and can be fitted up to five days after unprotected sex, or up to five days after the earliest likely ovulation — a clinician confirms timing. This is not a recommendation of one brand. Body weight, other medicines (including some enzyme-inducers), breastfeeding, and how many hours have passed all change which option a pharmacist or clinic will offer. Desk-researched 12 August 2026. ## What do they typically cost privately in the UK? Check free NHS supply before you pay. If you are buying privately from a GPhC-registered pharmacy, Levonelle is usually cheaper; ellaOne may be the licensed option if more than 72 hours have passed. Figures below are editorial typical ranges from our treatment pages — confirm the live price with the pharmacy. Indicative private UK prices for emergency contraception pills, August 2026 editorial rangesMedicineActive ingredientUsual windowTypical private priceLevonelleLevonorgestrelUsually within 72 hours£10–£30ellaOneUlipristal acetateUp to 120 hours£25–£40Copper IUDDevice fitted in clinicUp to 5 days (clinician confirms)NHS sexual health / GP — not a pharmacy shelf price ## Who should skip this comparison? Skip this page if you need a pill today and a pharmacy is still open — go there, or call NHS 111, rather than reading a cost table. Skip it if you want a clinician to choose between pills and a copper IUD. Skip it if you think you might already be pregnant, or you need ongoing contraception advice. Pick My Pharmacy does not sell emergency contraception and cannot tell you which medicine is clinically right for you. Next step ## Compare Pharmacies for What You Need See NHS services, private prices, and reviews side by side — GPhC-checked, free, and no obligation. Pharmacies you don't pick never see your details. [Browse pharmacies](/pharmacies/)[Prescription Cost calculators →](/calculators/) ## People Also Ask Can I get either free?+ Often yes via NHS emergency contraception schemes at community pharmacies. Ask your local pharmacy or NHS 111 before paying privately. Is ellaOne always better because the window is longer?+ No. The longer window matters if more than 72 hours have passed. Within 72 hours, a pharmacist still chooses based on your circumstances — not on which pack is more expensive. Is a copper IUD better than either pill?+ It is the most effective emergency method when it can be fitted in time. It is a clinic procedure, not a pharmacy-shelf purchase. Ask a sexual-health clinic, GP, or NHS 111 about local access. Keep reading - [Can I get the morning-after pill free?](/answers/can-i-get-the-morning-after-pill-free/) - [ellaOne prices](/treatments/contraception/ellaone/) - [Levonelle prices](/treatments/contraception/levonelle/) - [Morning-after pill free?](/answers/can-i-get-the-morning-after-pill-free/) **Affiliate disclosure:**Pick My Pharmacy is free to use. We may earn a fee when you visit a referral partner or send a private-service enquiry. That never changes ratings, match results, or the prices you pay. Outbound partner links userel="sponsored". See[affiliate compliance](/methodology/#affiliate-compliance)and[how we make money](/how-it-works/). This article is general information for UK patients, not medical advice, and NHS rules and charges change — confirm current rules on [nhs.uk](https://www.nhs.uk) or speak to a pharmacist or GP before acting. For urgent medical help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency. Price figures are indicative benchmarks from our[methodology](/methodology/).