Ulipristal Acetate
About
Ulipristal Acetate belongs to the group of medicines called progesterone agonist/antagonist emergency contraceptive. It is primarily indicated for the prevention of emergency pregnancy due to unprotected intercourse or a known or suspected contraceptive failure. Ulipristal Acetate is not intended for routine use as a contraceptive. A lower dose of ulipristal acetate may be used to treat moderate to severe symptoms of uterine fibroids (also known as myomas), which are non-cancerous uterine tumours (womb).
Ulipristal Acetate contains ulipristal acetate, which stops progesterone from working usually. Ulipristal Acetate also works by stopping or delaying the release of an egg. Thereby it helps as an emergency contraceptive.
Ulipristal Acetate has to be taken within 120 hours (5 days) of sex to prevent pregnancy. It is not meant to be used as a primary method of contraception. However, you can use emergency contraception more than once throughout a menstrual cycle if necessary. You may experience headaches, abdominal pain, nausea, dysmenorrhea, fatigue, and dizziness. It may make your next period earlier, later or more painful than usual. The majority of Ulipristal Acetate's side effects fade with time. However, if the adverse effects persist, consult your doctor.
Do not take Ulipristal Acetate if you're allergic to ulipristal acetate or any ingredient present in Ulipristal Acetate. Please seek medical advice before using Ulipristal Acetate if you have severe asthma and severe liver disease. It is not recommended to use in pregnant women. If you are a nursing woman, you should not breastfeed for one week after taking this drug. In some cases, Ulipristal Acetate may cause blurred vision, drowsiness or dizziness; if you experience these symptoms, do not drive or operate machines. You should avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit while on treatment with Ulipristal Acetate. Ulipristal Acetate is not suggested for individuals under the age of 18.
Uses of Ulipristal Acetate
Medicinal Benefits
Ulipristal Acetate is primarily used as an emergency contraceptive to avoid unintended pregnancy. Ulipristal Acetate contains ulipristal acetate, which stops progesterone from working usually. Ulipristal Acetate also works by stopping or delaying the release of an egg. Thereby it helps as an emergency contraceptive. The doctor may prescribe a lower dose of ulipristal acetate to treat moderate to severe symptoms of uterine fibroids (also known as myomas), which are non-cancerous uterine tumours (womb).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ulipristal Acetate
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea)
- Nausea
- Dysmenorrhea
- Fatigue
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Changes in the menstrual cycle
- Visual disturbances or blurred vision
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Ulipristal Acetate if you're allergic to ulipristal acetate or any ingredient in Ulipristal Acetate. Please seek medical advice before using Ulipristal Acetate if you have severe asthma and severe liver disease. It is not recommended to use in pregnant women. If you are a nursing woman, you should not breastfeed for one week after taking this drug. Do not use this medication in more than the prescribed doses or longer duration. In some cases, Ulipristal Acetate may cause blurred vision, drowsiness or dizziness; if you experience these symptoms, do not drive or operate machines. You should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while on treatment with Ulipristal Acetate. Ulipristal Acetate is not suggested for individuals under the age of 18.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug interactions: Ulipristal Acetate may interact with medications used to treat epilepsy (e.g. primidone, phenytoin), medications used to treat tuberculosis (e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin), medications used to treat HIV (e.g. nevirapine, ritonavir, efavirenz), medications used to treat fungal infections (e.g. griseofulvin) and herbal medications containing St John's wort.
Drug-Food Interactions: You should avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Ulipristal Acetate should be taken with caution in people who have a bleeding problem, vaginal bleeding, confirmed or suspected ectopic pregnancy, severe asthma, and liver or kidney disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is unknown whether alcohol interacts with this drug. However, it is advised to avoid alcohol when taking this medicine as a precaution.
Pregnancy
unsafeUlipristal Acetate is not recommended for use during pregnancy or suspected pregnancy. Please reach out to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Breast Feeding
cautionYou shouldn't breastfeed for one week after taking this pill. Consult your doctor for further information.
Driving
cautionUlipristal Acetate may cause blurred vision, drowsiness or dizziness; if you experience these symptoms, do not drive or operate machines. Seek medical attention if the symptoms persist.
Liver
cautionUlipristal Acetate should be used with caution if you have severe liver disease. Please consult your doctor in case of any concerns.
Kidney
cautionNo studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of kidney disease on the disposition of Ulipristal Acetate. Please consult your doctor in case of any concerns.
Children
unsafeUlipristal Acetate is not recommended for children below the age of 18.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Choose a diet high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.
- Include heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid-containing foods and beverages in your daily diet.
- Use low-fat cooking oils such as olive oil, canola oil, soybean oil and coconut oil.
- Monitor your (BP) blood pressure daily, and if there is too much variation, contact your doctor right once.
- A pregnancy test should be taken around a week after taking Ulipristal Acetate.
- Chronic stress and physical activity, such as jogging, should be avoided as they may increase vaginal bleeding.
- Quitting smoking and abstaining from alcohol is the greatest way to reduce the risk of complications.
Special Advise
- Take Ulipristal Acetate as soon as possible, particularly within 120 hours (5 days) of having unprotected sex or experiencing contraceptive failure.
- Contact your doctor if you suffer significant vaginal bleeding after taking this medication.
- Consult your doctor if your periods are delayed by more than 7/10 days for a pregnancy test.
- If your menstruation cycles are more than 7/10 days late, consult your doctor about getting a pregnancy test.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Unintended pregnancy is a condition that occurred either unwanted when desired no children or no more children. Also, pregnancy is mistimed, such as occurring earlier than desired. Most unintended pregnancies result from not using contraception or contraceptives inconsistently or incorrectly.
Uterine fibroids: Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths in or around the uterus (womb). The growths are comprised of muscle and fibrous tissue, and their size varies. They are also stated as uterine myomas or leiomyomas. Heavy periods or painful periods, tummy or abdominal pain, lower back pain, constipation, pain or discomfort during sex and a frequent need to urinate are the common symptoms that occur with this.
FAQs
Ulipristal Acetate contains ulipristal acetate, which stops progesterone from working usually. Ulipristal Acetate also works by stopping or delaying the release of an egg. Thereby it helps as an emergency contraceptive.
Ulipristal Acetate (tablet) is not indicated for regular birth control. It is only used as emergency contraception (within 120 hours) after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.
Do not take Ulipristal Acetate without consulting your doctor.
Take another pill as soon as possible if you vomit within 3 hours after taking the Ulipristal Acetate.
For emergency contraception, you can take Ulipristal Acetate at any time of the day, before, during or after a meal. If you take this medication to treat or manage other medical conditions, you can take it as advised by the healthcare professional.
The doctor may prescribe a lower dose of ulipristal acetate (5mg) to treat moderate to severe symptoms of uterine fibroids (also known as myomas), which are non-cancerous uterine tumours (womb). However, please do not take it on your own to treat uterine fibroids.
There is no evidence that Ulipristal Acetate has any effect on future fertility.
You can take Ulipristal Acetate at any time in your menstruation cycle.
