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Published on: May 12, 2019
Ulipristal acetate for emergency contraception.
1University of Pittsburgh, Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213-3180, USA. russoja2@upmc.edu
Drugs of Today (Barcelona, Spain : 1998)
|October 23, 2010
Summary
Ulipristal acetate is an effective emergency contraceptive, maintaining efficacy for up to 120 hours after unprotected sex. It offers advantages over levonorgestrel and intrauterine devices for emergency contraception.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Ulipristal acetate is a selective progesterone receptor modulator.
- Emergency contraception is crucial for preventing unintended pregnancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ulipristal acetate as an emergency contraceptive.
- To compare ulipristal acetate with other emergency contraceptive methods.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical trials and pharmacological data.
- Analysis of efficacy up to 120 hours post-coitus.
- Assessment of adverse events and comparison with levonorgestrel and copper IUDs.
Main Results:
- Ulipristal acetate (30-mg) is effective for emergency contraception up to 120 hours.
- It acts as a progesterone receptor antagonist with minimal impact on sex hormone-binding globulin.
- Maintains efficacy over 120 hours, unlike levonorgestrel; offers greater accessibility than copper IUDs.
Conclusions:
- Ulipristal acetate is a viable and effective emergency contraceptive option.
- Its sustained efficacy and accessibility present advantages over existing methods.
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