ella

Generic Name: ulipristal (UE li PRIS tal)

Brand Names: ella

What is ulipristal?

Ulipristal is an emergency contraceptive. It works by stopping or delaying the release of an egg from an ovary. Ulipristal may also make it harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.

Ulipristal is used to prevent pregnancy after having sex without using a condom or other effective birth control method. Ulipristal is also used to prevent pregnancy after a regular form of birth control has failed.

Ulipristal is not to be used as a regular form of daily, weekly, or monthly birth control.

Ulipristal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about ulipristal?

Ulipristal can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant.

Ulipristal is not to be used as a regular form of daily, weekly, or monthly birth control, and SHOULD NOT BE USED TO TERMINATE AN EXISTING PREGNANCY.

You should not use ulipristal if you are allergic to it, or if you have already confirmed that you are pregnant.

Before you take ulipristal, tell your doctor if you have a history of ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, or if your last menstrual period was less than 4 weeks ago. Also tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Call your doctor if your next menstrual period is more than 1 week late. You will need a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant. Do not take a second course of ulipristal. Call your doctor at once if you have severe pain in your lower stomach (especially on only one side) 3 to 5 weeks after using ulipristal.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ulipristal?

You should not use ulipristal if you are allergic to it, or if you have already confirmed that you are pregnant.

Do not use ulipristal if you have not yet started having menstrual periods, or if you are past menopause.

To make sure you can safely take ulipristal, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

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  a history of ectopic (tubal) pregnancy; or

  
  


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  if your last menstrual period was more than 4 weeks ago.

  
  

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use emergency contraception if you are already pregnant or think you might be pregnant. Ulipristal IS NOT FOR USE IN TERMINATING AN EXISTING PREGNANCY. It is not known whether ulipristal passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using ulipristal.

How should I take ulipristal?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Ulipristal is usually given as soon as possible after unprotected sex or failed birth control method. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully. Ulipristal can be taken any time during your menstrual cycle, but you must use the medicine within 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex.

You may take ulipristal with or without food.

If you vomit within 3 hours after taking ulipristal, your medication may not be as effective. Call your doctor to discuss the need for taking another ulipristal tablet. Call your doctor if your next menstrual period is more than 1 week late. You will need a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant. Do not take a second course of ulipristal.

Start or continue a barrier form of birth control (such as a condom or diaphragm with spermicide) as soon as possible after using ulipristal.

Ulipristal can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy for a short time after you take ulipristal.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Ella dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since ulipristal is used only once when needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking ulipristal?

Ulipristal will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases--including HIV and AIDS. Using a condom is the only way to protect yourself from these diseases.

Ulipristal side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have severe pain in your lower stomach (especially on only one side) 3 to 5 weeks after using ulipristal.

Less serious side effects may include:

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  headache;

  
  


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  dizziness, tired feeling;

  
  


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  nausea, stomach pain; or

  
  


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  menstrual pain.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect ulipristal?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

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  bosentan (Tracleer);

  
  


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  griseofulvin (Fulvicin);

  
  


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  St. John's wort;

  
  


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  topiramate (Topamax);

  
  


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  rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate), or rifapentine (Priftin);

  
  


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  antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);

  
  


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  a barbiturate such as butabarbital (Butisol), secobarbital (Seconal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), or phenobarbital (Solfoton); or

  
  


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  seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), phenytoin (Dilantin), or primidone (Mysoline).

  
  

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with ulipristal. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More ella resources

• Ella Side Effects (in more detail)
• Ella Dosage
• Ella Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Ella Drug Interactions
• Ella Support Group
• 1 Review for Ella - Add your own review/rating

• ella Monograph (AHFS DI)


• ella Consumer Overview


• ella MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Ella Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Ella Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Compare ella with other medications

• Birth Control
• Emergency Contraception

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about ulipristal.

See also: ella side effects (in more detail)