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What class of drug is ulipristal?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Apr 19, 2026

About ulipristal acetate for uterine fibroids
Type of medicine A progesterone receptor modulator
Used for Fibroids in the uterus
Also called Esmya®
Available as Tablets

Similarly, is ulipristal a steroid?

Ulipristal acetate has a steroid structure and acts as a selective progesterone receptor modulator with predominantly inhibitory effects on the progesterone receptor.

Additionally, is ulipristal acetate progesterone? Ulipristal acetate, a progesterone receptor modulator for emergency contraception.

Secondly, is ulipristal a hormone?

This issue does not affect ulipristal when taken as a single one-off dose for emergency contraception using EllaOne®. Ulipristal acetate is a female hormone treatment. Take one tablet daily. The most common side-effects are no periods, hot flushes, and headache.

When is ulipristal used?

Ulipristal is available as a 30-mg tablet that is taken as soon as possible (within 120 hours) after unprotected sexual intercourse. It is administered as a single dose without regard to mealtimes. Repeated dosing in the same menstrual cycle is not recommended.

Related Question Answers

Does ulipristal cause weight gain?

Results: Overall, the most frequent adverse symptom was amenorrhea (43%), followed by weight gain (29%), fatigue (27%), abdominal discomfort (21%), decreased menstrual flow (19%) and dizziness (18%).

Does ulipristal stop periods?

Recently, ulipristal acetate has been studied as a treatment option for women who have fibroids and heavy bleeding. The majority of women treated with ulipristal stopped having periods altogether.

Is ulipristal acetate banned in India?

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has directed the state licensing authorities (SLAs) to direct manufacturers to suspend the manufacturing, sale or distribution of ulipristal acetate tablets 5 mg based on the recommendation of European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Is ulipristal acetate safe?

Ulipristal acetate (UPA), a selective progesterone receptor modulator, when taken as a single 30-mg dose, is safe and effective for emergency contraception up to 5 days (120 h) following unprotected intercourse. This indication has been approved in Europe since May 2009 and was approved by the US FDA in August 2010.

Is ulipristal an abortifacient?

When unprotected intercourse and the administration of ulipristal occur at or within 24 hours of ovulation, then ulipristal has an abortifacient action.

What is the use of ulipristal?

Ulipristal is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse (sex without any method of birth control or with a birth control method that failed or was not used properly [e.g., a condom that slipped or broke or birth control pills that were not taken as scheduled]).

Is Ella an abortion pill?

Morning-After Pills Don't Cause Abortion, Studies Say : Shots - Health News Emergency contraceptives like Plan B and ella are effective at preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex. Claims that the pills are tantamount to abortion, however, aren't supported by science, say researchers.

How effective is Ella ulipristal acetate?

How effective is the ella morning-after pill? ella lowers your chances of getting pregnant by 85 percent if you take it within 5 days after unprotected sex — but the sooner you take it, the better. ella is the most effective type of morning-after pill you can get.

Does Ella one thicken mucus?

It releases copper which thickens the cervical mucus around the womb, which stops sperm from being able to meet with the egg.

Is Ella progestin only?

Plan B contains levonorgestrel while Ella contains ulipristal. Levonorgestrel is a progestin-only medication, similar to what's in regular birth control but at a much higher dose.

Is Ella effective after ovulation?

EllaOne contains ulipristal acetate and is licensed to be taken within 120 hours (five days) of sex. Both Levonelle and ellaOne are effective only if taken before the release of an egg from the ovary (ovulation). The sooner you take Levonelle or ellaOne, the more effective it will be.

What does Ella do to your body?

Headache, nausea, abdominal pain, tiredness, dizziness, or painful menstrual periods may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

How do you take ulipristal?

Take 1 tablet by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor as soon as possible after unprotected sex. This medication works best when it is taken within 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex. If you vomit within 3 hours of taking this medication, contact your doctor to ask if you need to repeat the dose.

How does ulipristal acetate prevent ovulation?

Our study revealed that, when administered within 6 hours of hCG, UPA blocks ovulation by inhibiting PR-dependent pathways intrinsic to the ovary. At 8 hours post hCG, when the PR signaling has already occurred, UPA is unable to block ovulation efficiently.

Can Ella mess up your period?

Ulipristal acetate most likely will change when your next period comes. If your period is late for more than 1 week, check a pregnancy test. Always have some emergency contraception (EC) around in case condoms break.

How long does ulipristal acetate stay in your system?

The half-life of the drug in plasma, following a single dose of 30 mg, is approximately 32.4 ± 6.3 hours. In pharmacokinetic and population studies, ulipristal acetate has not shown any significant variations in women of different races; however, the drug is not recommended for breast-feeding or postmenopausal women.

Is ulipristal acetate effective after ovulation?

Does ulipristal acetate (UPA) have similar efficacy as emergency contraception (EC) when administered before and after ovulation? The efficacy of UPA-EC was significantly better when administered before than after ovulation. Levonorgestrel (LNG) is effective as EC only when administered before, but not after ovulation.

Is ulipristal acetate FDA approved?

Esmya (ulipristal acetate) is an oral selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM) in development for the treatment of uterine fibroids.

Development Timeline for Esmya.

Date Article
Oct 10, 2017 Allergan Announces that the FDA Accepts New Drug Application for Ulipristal Acetate for Uterine Fibroids

Is ulipristal acetate available over the counter?

Morning-after pills contain either levonorgestrel (Plan B One-Step, Aftera, others) or ulipristal acetate (ella). Levonorgestrel is available over-the-counter without a prescription; ulipristal acetate is available only with a prescription.

Does ulipristal acetate prevent implantation?

Background: Ulipristal acetate (UPA) 30 mg (ella®, HRA-Pharma, Paris, France) acts as an emergency contraceptive (EC) by delaying ovulation. Because it is a selective progesterone receptor modulator, an additional effect on interfering with implantation has been suggested.

Does the ella pill make you bleed?

Within the next week, you might have some spotting. Your next period may also be lighter or heavier than you're used to. It's common and not something to worry about. But if you're concerned or the bleeding seems very heavy, call your doctor.

Is ulipristal acetate more effective than levonorgestrel?

The evidence suggests that ulipristal acetate is a more effective form of emergency contraception than levonorgestrel (Table 1). Ulipristal acetate is twice as likely as levonorgestrel to prevent pregnancy when used within 72 hours or within five days of unprotected intercourse.

Can I take Ella two days in a row?

ella is for occasional use as an emergency contraceptive. It should not replace a regular method of contraception. Repeated use of ella within the same menstrual cycle is not recommended, as safety and efficacy of repeat use within the same cycle has not been evaluated.

How late can Ella make your period?

The effect the morning after pill might have on your period is another issue that crops up in many of your stories. Deborah explained that taking emergency contraception can affect your next period: “It can make it late (by up to 7 days) and the bleed could be slightly lighter or heavier than normal†she says.

Can Ella cause infertility?

Taking the morning after pill will not impact your fertility in any way. It doesn't matter how many times you take it, or whether you need to use it several times during a short period. Emergency contraceptives contain higher doses of the same hormones in birth control pills.