Ulipristal Prices

How does ulipristal work

Ulipristal 30mg is a progestogen which works by delaying the release of eggs from the ovaries at the time of ovulation, up to 120 hours (5 days) after intercourse.

Ulipristal has an effect on the ovaries right up until the actual egg release, whereas the alternative morning after pill, Levonelle (levonorgestrel 1.5mg) , only works to prevent the hormone change which triggers the egg release. This makes ulipristal a better choice if a woman is closer to expected ovulation (ovulation is usually 14 days before the next period is expected).

Out of 100 women who take ulipristal in one monthly cycle, approximately 2 will become pregnant. Overall ulipristal has been shown to be slightly more effective as emergency contraception than Levonelle.

After 120 hours (5 days) ulipristal will not be effective.

Ulipristal does not work after ovulation has occurred, but a copper coil can still be fitted up to 5 days after ovulation to prevent pregnancy.

How to take ulipristal

Ulipristal is a single tablet which is swallowed whole as soon as possible after having sex with no effective contraception. If vomiting occurs within 3 hours a repeat dose should be taken.

As the time of ovulation can be unpredictable, even in women with regular cycles, emergency contraception is often taken regardless of the day of the cycle when a woman has unprotected sexual intercourse. Women requiring emergency contraception more than once in a menstrual cycle should consult a doctor or specialist contraception advisor.

Ulipristal should not be taken at the same time, or in the same cycle, as Levonelle, as they can prevent the other from working.

Your weight or having a BMI (Body Mass Indicator) over 26 has not been shown to affect how well ulipristal works, so you only need to take the standard single dose.

When not to take ulipristal

Do not take ulipristal if:

• You are allergic to ulipristal or any of the ingredients in the tablet.
• You have severe lactose intolerance.
• You are already pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
• You need emergency contraception urgently and are relying on postal delivery.

Ulipristal cautions

Ulipristal may cause spotting or bleeding between periods and your next period may arrive early or late and may be shorter or longer than usual. If your period is not 'normal' or it is more than 5 days late, then take a pregnancy test.

There is no increased risk of ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus/womb) after taking a morning after pill. However, ectopic pregnancy can still occur. Take a pregnancy test and seek medical advice if there is unusual abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding 4-5 weeks after taking ulipristal as there is a chance these could be symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy.

Ulipristal does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Only condoms can protect you from sexually transmitted infections. If you may be at risk, see a GP or sexual health clinic for full checks.

Ulipristal and other medicines

Some medications may reduce the effectiveness of ulipristal.

Ulipristal should not be used, if any of the following have been used in the previous 4 weeks:

• Epilepsy medication.
• Antibiotics to treat tuberculosis.
• HIV treatment.
• Griseofulvin to treat fungal infections.
• St John's Wort.

Ulipristal may be less effective if any of the following have been used in the previous 7 days:

• Progesterone - found in the combined pill, progestogen only pill (POP), implant, depot injection or hormonal coil (IUS), or it may have been prescribed to treat heavy or irregular periods, or to delay periods.
• Antacids and antiulcer medication eg omeprazole, lansoprazole.

Ulipristal should not be used if you have severe asthma treated with steroid tablets or severe liver disease.

It is unknown if GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Monjaro/ tirzapetide affect the morning after pill so the copper IUD (coil) is recommended if you are using these.

Possible side effects of ulipristal

As with any medicine, ulipristal has the potential to produce side effects, although these do not occur in most cases and are usually not severe. The most common side effects include:

• Headache.
• Nausea.
• Painful period.
• Mild abdominal pain.
• Fatigue.
• Dizziness.

A complete list of common side effects can be found in the manufacturer's Patient Information Leaflet supplied with ulipristal tablets.

Regular contraception and ulipristal

Ulipristal is a form of emergency contraception. It is for use when routine regular contraception has failed or not been used and is not a replacement for regular contraception. Regular contraception is generally more effective, more reliable, and a lower overall hormone dose. Regular contraception should be used for the rest of the monthly cycle, as ulipristal does not provide ongoing contraception.

Condoms should be used to provide contraception until a hormone method is working again. Hormonal contraception, including the combined oral contraceptive (COC) and progestogen only pill (POP), prevents ulipristal from working so cannot be started until 5 days after taking ulipristal.

For the combined pill, contraceptive patch or vaginal ring wait 5 days after taking ulipristal to start, and it then takes a further 7 days to work effectively - i.e. use condoms for 12 days in total (unless taking Qlaira - 14 days in total).

The progestogen only pill should not be started until 5 days after taking ulipristal. However only 2 more days of condom use are needed until it works, so use condoms for 7 days in total.

Emergency contraception (morning after pills or IUD) may or may not be needed after forgetting or missing hormone contraceptive pills. There is advice in the patient information leaflet supplied with your pills and further information can be found on the NHS website: progestogen only pills and combined pills.

Further information

• NHS: emergency Contraception section

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