Briefing Note: ulipristal (EllaOne)

SMC accepted ulipristal acetate for use as emergency contraception within 5 days of unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure.

• Contraception can be used to prevent unwanted pregnancy. If no contraception has been used or if contraception fails (for example if a condom bursts), emergency contraception taken after sex may prevent pregnancy. SMC briefing note 6

For further information and to view the complete advice for the drugs listed above, visit our website at: www.scottishmedicines.org.uk

For drugs that have not been accepted by SMC, all NHS boards have procedures in place to consider individual requests when a doctor feels the drug would be right for a particular patient. SMC has told the manufacturers why the drug was not accepted and would be pleased to receive any resubmission.

• Ulipristal acetate is a tablet which can prevent pregnancy if taken as soon as possible, but no later than 5 days, after sex. It works by preventing or delaying production of the egg.
• Studies have shown that the pregnancy rate among women who took ulipristal acetate was lower than an estimated rate that would be expected without the use of emergency contraception. Ulipristal acetate worked at least as well as another emergency contraceptive.
• In studies, side effects experienced by women who took ulipristal were similar to those in women who took the other oral emergency contraceptive and included headache, irregular periods, nausea, fatigue, dizziness and stomach pain.
• SMC accepted ulipristal acetate for use in NHSScotland because it is the first licensed emergency contraception to be effective when used up to 5 days after unprotected intercourse and offered reasonable value for money.