HEALTH SERVICES

Emergency Contraceptive Pill

Access emergency contraception quickly and discreetly at Life Pharmacy. Our experts are here to help

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EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE FAQ

How does an ECP work?

Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are a type of birth control medication that can be taken after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. They work by delaying or preventing ovulation, the release of an egg from the ovary, and therefore preventing pregnancy.

The emergency contraceptive pill will be most effective if you take it as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Taking the ECP within 24 hours is best, but it can prevent pregnancy if taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex.

The ECP has been shown to prevent:

  • 95% of expected pregnancies when taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex
  • 85% if taken within 25 - 48 hours
  • 58% if taken within 49 - 72 hours

It’s important to note that the ECP does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you have any concerns speak with your Unichem Pharmacist, doctor or family planning clinic.

Tips & Advice

1

An accredited pharmacist will go through your current condition and may ask the following questions:

  • current contraception
  • why you need emergency contraception
  • the period since you last had unprotected sex in hours
  • period information or irregularities
  • medical conditions such as unexplained vaginal bleeding or Crohn’s disease
  • ongoing medications, including prescribed, over-the-counter, from a supermarket or health food shop
  • health symptoms such as burning or pain when passing urine, lower abdominal pain, pain during or after sex, unusual vaginal discharge, irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting.

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Life Pharmacy Albany

219 Don McKinnon Drive, Albany, Auckland 0752

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Life Pharmacy Ashburton

262 East Street Ashburton Canterbury 7700

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Life Pharmacy Barrington

Shop 54, Barrington Shopping Centre 256 Barrington Street Spreydon Christchurch Canterbury 8024

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Life Pharmacy Bayfair

19 Girven Road, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty 3116

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Life Pharmacy Blenheim

101A Market Street Blenheim Marlborough 7201

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Life Pharmacy Botany

17/588 Chapel Road, Botany Road. Auckland 2013

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Life Pharmacy Centre City

133 Great King Street Dunedin Central Dunedin 9016

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Life Pharmacy Chartwell

Shop 123 Chartwell Shopping Centre 201 Hukanui Road Chartwell Hamilton Waikato 3210

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Life Pharmacy Commercial Bay

Shop 12, Level 1, Commercial Bay, Auckland, 1010

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Life Pharmacy Donna Kerr

48 Windsor Street Windsor Invercargill Southland 9810

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Life Pharmacy Eastridge

215 Kepa Road Mission Bay Ōrākei Auckland 1071

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Life Pharmacy Franklin's

48 Queen St Warkworth Auckland 0910

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Life Pharmacy Hornby

Hornby Mall, Shop 2, 418 Main South Road Hornby Christchurch Canterbury 8004

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Life Pharmacy Johnsonville

Shop 40, Johnsonville Shopping Centre 16, Broderick Road, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037

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Life Pharmacy Kapiti Coast

2/11 Amohia Street Kapiti Lights Complex Paraparaumu Wellington 5032

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Life Pharmacy La Hood's

43 Main Street, Gore, Southland 9710

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Life Pharmacy Manukau

Shop 38, Westfield Shopping Centre, Manukau 2241

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Life Pharmacy Matamata

54 Arawa Street, Matamata, WAIKATO, 3400

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Life Pharmacy Masterton

132-136 Queen Street Masterton Wairarapa 5810

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Life Pharmacy Meadowbank

Shop 2, Meadowbank Shopping Centre 35 St Johns Road St Johns Auckland 1072

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Life Pharmacy Milford

Shop 106 Milford Shopping Centre 24 Milford Rd Milford Auckland 0620

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Life Pharmacy Motueka

179 High Street Motueka Tasman 7120

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Life Pharmacy Nelson City

Life Pharmacy New Plymouth

Shop 13 Centre City Shopping Centre, 11 Gill Street, New Plymouth, Taranaki 4310

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Life Pharmacy Newmarket

Shop S334, Level 3, Westfield Newmarket 277-309 Broadway Newmarket Auckland 1023

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Life Pharmacy Northwest

NorthWest Shopping Centre 7 Fred Taylor Drive Massey Auckland 0814

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Life Pharmacy Orewa

8 Tamariki Avenue Ōrewa Auckland 0931

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Life Pharmacy Orrs

48 Cameron Street, Whangārei, 0110

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Life Pharmacy Papakura

102 Great South Road Roselands, Shopping Centre, Papakura, Auckland, 2110

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Life Pharmacy Rangiora

Life Pharmacy Riccarton

Shop 45129 Riccarton Road Riccarton Christchurch Canterbury 8041

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Life Pharmacy St Heliers Bay

23 Saint Heliers Bay Road, St Heliers, Auckland, 1071

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Life Pharmacy St Lukes

80 St Lukes Road, Shop 524 Westfield Shopping Centre, Auckland 1346

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Life Pharmacy Sylvia Park

Shop N049, Sylvia Park Shopping Centre 286 Mt Wellington Highway Mt Wellington, Auckland

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Life Pharmacy Takapuna

52-56 Anzac Street Takapuna, Auckland 0622

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Life Pharmacy Taupō

35-37 Heuheu Street, Taupō 3330

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Life Pharmacy Te Puke

Life Pharmacy The Plaza

The Plaza Shopping Centre, 108/84 The Square, Palmerston North 4410

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Life Pharmacy Wilkinsons

Cnr Rees Street & The Mall, Queenstown, Otago

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