Emergency Contraception Service
If you’re worried your regular contraception has let you down, or you’ve had unprotected sex in the last 120 hours (five days), our Emergency Contraception Service may be suitable for you. The emergency contraception pill or “the morning after pill” is intended for occasional use, to reduce the risk of pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. It does not replace effective regular contraception. It is available directly from Lynch’s Pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription to those over 17 years of age, subject to meeting certain criteria.If you think you need emergency contraception, it’s important to act quickly. Emergency contraception can be effective up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex but it is important to take it as soon as possible as the quicker you take it the more effective it is. Emergency contraception is a safe, effective and responsible method of preventing pregnancy when regular contraception has failed or if no contraception was used. Remember, emergency contraception cannot protect against a sexually transmitted infection. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about STI’s or visit www.thinkcontraception.ie for more information. Further information can also be found at https://www.sexualwellbeing.ie
How do I use the service?
Lynch’s pharmacists have been trained to treat requests for emergency contraception professionally and confidentially. The pharmacist will need to ask a few simple questions before giving you the medication. This will help the pharmacist ensure that the morning after pill is suitable for you to use. Two methods of emergency contraceptive pills are available from Lynch’s Pharmacy: oral ulipristal acetate 30 mg (single dose) and oral levonorgestrel 1.5 mg (single dose). Your pharmacist will discuss with you the most suitable option for you.
Some of the reasons it may not be suitable to supply emergency contraception include:
• Too much time has passed for the medicine to be effective
• You are taking other medicines that interact with emergency contraception
• You have an existing medical condition that means it is not safe to take emergency contraception
• You are allergic to any of the ingredients in the medication
• Your last period was irregular in some way
In such cases there may be other options that are more suitable for you. The pharmacist will be able to give you more information and help you decide on the best option for you.
Online Consultation Form
To save you time when you visit Lynch’s Pharmacy, we have an online consultation form that can be completed in advance. Please click here to complete the form. The pharmacist will have your completed form ready and waiting for you when you arrive at the pharmacy.
How much does the Emergency Contraception Service cost?
The emergency contraception service is available free of charge to medical card holders. For those who do not have a medical card a private fee will apply.