Our Services

Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP)

If you (or a family member) has had unprotected sex and are worried about being pregnant, you may want to take an emergency contraceptive pill. This is also called the ‘morning after pill’. Our accredited Pharmacist, after a consultation, can dispense the ECP if appropriate for you.

When to take the emergency contraceptive pill

The emergency contraceptive pill will be most effective if you take it as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Within 24 hours is best, but it can prevent pregnancy if taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after sex.

The emergency contraceptive pill will not prevent pregnancy if taken any later than 120 hours after unprotected sex.

The ECP has been shown to prevent:

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

Possible Side effects:

Some women feel sick after taking the emergency contraceptive pill - it helps to take the pill with food. You may get breast tenderness, headaches, lower abdominal pain, dizziness or tiredness, but these should subside in a few days.

If you vomit within three hours of taking the emergency contraceptive pill, you will need another pill.

What happens next:

• Use a barrier contraceptive (condoms) until your next period.
• Your next period will probably come at the expected time, but it may be early or late, and it could be heavier than usual.
• If you don’t get your next period, or it is very light, you should have a pregnancy test

 Important:

• You can still take the emergency contraceptive pill if you’re on a course of antibiotics.
• The ECP does not protect against sexually transmitted infections nor is intended as being an ongoing form of contraception.
• The emergency contraceptive pill is generally safe to take while breastfeeding – but check with your doctor if you’re concerned.

Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

At Moturoa Pharmacy we have a 'confidential service' to provide treatment for men aged 35-70 years with erectile dysfunction (ED). Some men should not take ED medicine, e.g. men on certain medicines, or men who have had a recent heart attack or stroke, so we will ask questions about your health to ensure the drug is appropriate for you. We will also check your heart health, including taking your blood pressure. The first consultation with the pharmacist will take about 20 minutes, and repeat supplies will take about 5 minutes.