‘Five days after’ contraceptive pill approved

MELBOURNE - US regulatory agency FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved an emergency contraceptive pill that can prevent pregnancy if taken up to five days after unprotected sex.

FDA approved the pill, called Ella, following two phase III clinical trials tha confirmed its efficacy and safety.

Manufactured by French firm HRA Pharma, the pill “prevents pregnancy when taken orally within 120 hours (five days) after a contraceptive failure or unprotected intercourse,” News.com.au quoted the FDA statement.

However, the agency warned that it is not for routine use as a contraceptive.

The pill works by delaying ovulation and has side effects similar to other contraceptives.

The drug has been available in Europe since May 2009, under the name ellaOne, and will be distributed into the United States by New Jersey-based Watson Pharma. (ANI)