Ulipristal belongs to the class of medications called selective Progesterone receptor modulators. It works by disrupting the way the hormone progesterone works in the body.

It is used as an emergency contraceptive, when it is taken within 120 hours (5 days) of having unprotected sexual intercourse, or it is believed that a contraceptive has failed.

Ella (Ulipristal-emergency contraceptive) is believed to prevent pregnancy by preventing or delaying ovulation, depending on the stage of the woman’s menstrual cycle.  It may also prevent implantation of the egg by altering the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus). It is important to realize that once implantation has occurred and pregnancy is established, ulipristal cannot cause an abortion or harm the fetus. No serious complications have been reported with Ella (Ulipristal-emergency contraceptive).

Ella (Ulipristal-emergency contraceptive) is intended for use only by women whose regular birth control methods have failed or who may have had intercourse without birth control. It is not a substitute for correct use of regular birth control.

Ella (Ulipristal-emergency contraceptive) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Ella (Ulipristal-emergency contraceptive) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Ella (Ulipristal-emergency contraceptive) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Ella (Ulipristal-emergency contraceptive) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Ella (Ulipristal-emergency contraceptive), speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Ella (Ulipristal-emergency contraceptive) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Ella (Ulipristal-emergency contraceptive) if their doctor has not prescribed it.  

The recommended dose of ulipristal is one 30 mg tablet taken as soon as possible within 5 days after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure.

Because Ella (Ulipristal-emergency contraceptive) is often associated with nausea, your doctor may also want you to take medication to prevent nausea at the same time you take ulipristal. If you vomit within three hours of taking ulipristal, contact your doctor immediately, as you will need to take a second tablet. Ella (Ulipristal-emergency contraceptive) can be used at any time during the menstrual cycle. It can be taken with or without food. Taking it with food may help reduce nausea.

Most women have their expected menstrual period within 7 days of their normal time after using this medication. If you don't have your menstrual period within 7 days of when it is expected, you should have a pregnancy test done.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Ella (Ulipristal-emergency contraceptive) exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Store Ella (Ulipristal-emergency contraceptive) at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Ella (Ulipristal-emergency contraceptive). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Ella (Ulipristal-emergency contraceptive). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• Acne
• dizziness
• fatigue
• headache
• menstrual pain
• nausea
• stomach pain

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• vomiting within 3 hours of taking the medication

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Ella (Ulipristal-emergency contraceptive).

Each white-to-off-white, round, curved tablet marked with “ella” on both sides, contains ulipristal acetate 30 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose monohydrate, povidone K-30, croscarmellose sodium and magnesium stearate.

Do not take this medication if you:

• are allergic to ulipristal or any ingredients of the medication
• are, or may be pregnant

There may be an interaction between ulipristal and any of the following:>

• Abiraterone acetate
• Amiodarone
• Aprepitant
• “azole” antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, Voriconazole)
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, pentobarbital, Phenobarbital)
• Bicalutamide
• boceprevir
• Bosentan
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• Carbamazepine
• conivaptan
• Crizotinib
• Cyclosporine
• Dabrafenib
• Deferasirox
• Dexamethasone
• Dronedarone
• Enzalutamide
• grapefruit juice
• Haloperidol
• HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs; e.g., delaviridine, efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• imatinib
• Lomitapide
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• mifepristone
• Mitotane
• Metronidazole
• Modafinil
• nefazodone
• Norfloxacin
• Oxcarbazepine
• Phenytoin
• primidone
• progestins (e.g., Dienogest, Levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, Norethindrone)
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• St. John's wort
• Sertraline
• siltuximab
• sitaxentan
• telaprevir
• Tetracycline
• Tocilizumab
• Topiramate

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Ella (Ulipristal-emergency contraceptive). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.