Ulipristal emergency contraception guide
How to use the single 30 mg tablet within five days and coordinate it safely with ongoing hormonal contraception.
How to use
- 01
Step 1
Take one 30 mg tablet as soon as possible
Take the single dose no later than 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It can be taken at any point in the menstrual cycle once relevant pregnancy concerns have been assessed.
- 02
Step 2
If you vomit within 3 hours
Take another tablet as soon as possible after speaking with a pharmacist or clinician, because the dose may not have been absorbed.
Dose schedule
- 01
Step 1
Check medicines and breastfeeding first
Enzyme-inducing medicines, severe asthma treated with oral steroids, breastfeeding, or recent use of progestogen contraception can change the plan. Do not combine ulipristal with levonorgestrel emergency contraception.
- 02
Step 2
After the dose
Hormonal contraception can interact with ulipristal. Follow the exact instruction on when to start or resume it and use condoms until it is effective again; the tablet does not protect later sex or STIs.
Side effects
Common short-term effects
Headache, nausea, abdominal or pelvic pain, period pain, dizziness, mood changes, back pain, and tiredness can occur.
Changes to bleeding
The next period may be early or late and bleeding can differ from usual. Bleeding alone does not show whether pregnancy has been prevented.
04 · When to contact your doctor
Contact your doctor if
- Severe one-sided abdominal pain, fainting, shoulder-tip pain, or heavy bleeding — seek urgent assessment
- The next period is more than about 7 days late, is unusual, or pregnancy symptoms occur — take a test and seek advice
- There is another unprotected exposure, an STI concern, or uncertainty about restarting contraception
Storage
Keep in the original package, away from moisture and direct heat, and out of children's reach. Follow the temperature limit on your pack and do not use it after the expiry date.
What to expect
Ulipristal modifies progesterone-receptor activity to delay ovulation. It is an emergency option, not ongoing contraception; it does not end an established pregnancy and cannot prevent every pregnancy. Earlier access is preferable even within the 120-hour window.