The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new emergency contraceptive pill this summer, somewhat similar to Plan B One-Step. However, this additional option for women to prevent unintended pregnancy has some skeptics comparing it to the abortion pill.

The pill, called ella (ulipristal acetate), is a prescription-only drug that prevents pregnancy up to five days after unprotected sex. It has been available in Europe since May of last year and was approved by an advisory committee of the FDA after two intensive clinical trials were held.

Some experts say that ella is similar to mifepristone (RU-486), also known as the abortion pill. Ingrid Husisian, director of public communications for Planned Parenthood of South Central in New York, dispels this comparison.

‘While ulipristal acetate [ella] and mifepristone [RU-486] are chemically similar, the formulations for ella and Mifeprex [mifepristone] work differently,’ Husisian said. ‘Emergency contraception works to prevent pregnancy by inhibiting or delaying ovulation, while Mifeprex terminates an early pregnancy.’

Emergency contraceptives avoid the need for abortion by preventing pregnancy, but they do not interrupt an existing pregnancy. Therefore, they prevent the need for an abortion in the first place.

According to a recent article in Bloomberg Businessweek, ‘FDA Approves Emergency Contraceptive,’ side effects associated with ella are similar to those of other emergency contraceptives. They include headache, abdominal pain, nausea, pain and discomfort during menstruation, fatigue and dizziness.

Most emergency contraceptive pills can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, but decline in effectiveness after that time frame. Comparatively ella can be taken up to 120 hours after sex without decreased efficacy.

Alyssa Canter, a junior majoring in human development, is happy to see that there’s another choice out there.

‘It’s good to know that the pharmaceutical companies are working to create more options for women,’ Canter said. ‘Especially since ella can work up to five days after sex, it’s ideal for those who may not have access to a facility that sells emergency contraceptives right away.’

Current over-the-counter emergency contraceptives retail between $39 and $60, but since ella won’t be on the market until the end of this year, its price and insurance coverage status aren’t known yet. Concrete statistics for ella haven’t been published yet either, which may temporarily deter women from trying out the drug.

Husisian suggests, as is the case with all emergency contraceptives, that ella should not be used as a routine form of birth control.

‘Sexually active people should have a regular method of birth control, which Planned Parenthood of South Central New York can provide,’ Husisian said.