Ulipristal Acetate

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.

​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.
  

​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.

• ​You may take this medication with or without food.
  
• You may take the medication at any time during the menstrual cycle.
• Take one tablet (30mg) as soon as possible within 120 hours (5 days) of intercourse.
• Do not repeat the medication during the same menstrual cycle due to limited information.
  
• If you vomit within 3 hours after taking the medicine, take another tablet as a replacement. Consult a doctor to get an additional dose of the medicine.

You may still get pregnant if there is sexual intercourse after taking the pill. Use a condom or any other type of birth control method if you have sexual intercourse after taking the emergency contraceptive pill.

​The tablet works best the sooner you take it after having unprotected sex. It can only prevent you from becoming pregnant, if you take it within 5 days of unprotected sex. Please contact your healthcare professional if it is more than 5 days of unprotected sex.

​Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

​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.