Ulipristal acetate

Uses

Ulipristal acetate is used in the treatment of emergency contraception and uterine fibroids. It is indicated for intermittent treatment and pre-operative management of moderate to severe symptoms of uterine fibroids in adult women of reproductive age.

How it Works

How Ulipristal acetate works: Ulipristal acetate is a selective progesterone receptor modulator. It modifies the action of progesterone, a natural female hormone. It is used either before surgery for fibroids or for intermittent treatment of fibroids. It helps reduce their size, stops or controls bleeding, and increases red blood cell count.

Side Effects

Common side effects of Ulipristal acetate include absence of menstrual periods, headache, and endometrial hyperplasia.

Expert Advice

Ulipristal acetate is used for the treatment of uterine fibroids and their associated symptoms, including:
- Painful periods
- Heavy bleeding
- Pelvic pain
It significantly reduces or stops menstrual bleeding within the first 10 days of treatment.
Notify your doctor if you continue to experience heavy bleeding despite taking Ulipristal acetate.
Your periods will typically resume within four weeks of discontinuing Ulipristal acetate.
Use a reliable barrier contraceptive method (such as condoms or a diaphragm) to prevent pregnancy while taking Ulipristal acetate, as it may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (such as pills).
Your doctor may conduct routine blood tests to assess liver function.
Inform your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Dark urine
- Stomach pain

Other Combinations

Frequently asked questions

Dosage and timing

Take Ulipristal acetate orally as soon as possible after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure, within 120 hours (5 days). It can be taken at any time of day, with or without food, and at any point in the menstrual cycle.

Action after vomiting

If you vomit within 3 hours of taking Ulipristal acetate, take another tablet. If vomiting occurs after 3 hours, another tablet is not needed.

Important considerations

Ulipristal acetate is ineffective if you are already pregnant or if unprotected sex occurs after taking the tablet. It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.

Impact on menstrual periods

Ulipristal acetate does not stop periods but may delay or advance them. Intermittent bleeding may occur; consult a doctor if this happens.

Use as regular birth control

Ulipristal acetate is not intended for regular contraceptive use but for emergency situations. Its safety and effectiveness for repeated use within one menstrual cycle are not established.

Continuing regular birth control

Ulipristal acetate may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills; continue using condoms until your next period.

Mechanism of action for fibroids

Ulipristal acetate blocks progesterone receptors, reducing progesterone levels and helping decrease the size of non-cancerous fibroids. At prescribed doses, it inhibits ovulation and may alleviate heavy bleeding associated with fibroids.

Effectiveness of Ulipristal acetate

Ulipristal acetate is an oral contraceptive effective in preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure, with a pregnancy rate of 2 out of 100 users.

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