Ulipristal Acetate

Drug Class:	Commonly Known As:	Category:
	Ella

Ulipristal Acetate - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Ulipristal Acetate cause?

Common side effects include:

Breakthrough bleeding

You may experience some spotting or bleeding within 2 - 3 days after taking the tablet.
In the majority of cases, your next menses should start as expected or within 5 - 7 days of the expected date.
However, if your menses is more than 7 days later, it is recommended to get a pregnancy test.
If you experience heavy or prolonged periods of bleeding, or very bad stomach pain, you should consult your healthcare professional.

Nausea and vomiting

Take the medication after food to reduce this side effect.

Headache

You may take Paracetamol to manage the headache.

Breast tenderness
Dizziness, fatigue

Avoid activities that require mental alertness and avoid using heavy machineries.

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Before taking Ulipristal Acetate , what precautions must I follow?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
You may already be pregnant, or breastfeeding.
You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
You have severe liver disease, severe asthma or any other medical condition.

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Ulipristal Acetate ?

Some medications may prevent this medication from working effectively. Inform your healthcare professional if you have taken any medication during the last 4 weeks to ensure the correct type of emergency contraceptive has been prescribed for you.

Ulipristal Acetate - Additional Information

When can I start my regular hormonal contraception after taking this medication?

You can start/restart hormonal contraception e.g. birth control pills 5 days after taking Ella®. You must also use a barrier method (for example; condoms, diaphragms and spermicides) until your next menstrual period, or not have sexual intercourse.

Using a hormonal birth control method and taking Ella® at the same time can reduce the effectiveness of both medications.