Ulipristal acetate was granted marketing authorization by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in March 2009.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the drug for use in the United States on 13 August 2010, following the FDA advisory committee’s recommendation. Watson Pharmaceuticals announced the availability of ulipristal acetate in the United States on 1 December 2010, in retail pharmacies, clinics.

Of the 29 women studied who became pregnant despite taking ulipristal acetate, 16 had induced abortions, six had spontaneous abortions, six continued the pregnancies, and one “was lost to follow-up”.

Geting Ulipristal acetate orally as soon as possible, but no later than 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure.

Ulipristal acetate is an orally-active synthetic selective progesterone receptor modulator which acts via high-affinity binding to the human progesterone receptor. The primary mechanism of action is inhibition or delay of ovulation. Pharmacodynamic data show that even when taken immediately before ovulation is scheduled to occur, ulipristal acetate is able to postpone follicular rupture in some women.

Ulipristal acetate also has high affinity for the glucocorticoid receptor and in vivo, in animals, antiglucocorticoid effects have been observed. However, in humans, no such effect has been observed even after repeat administration at the daily dose of 10 mg. It has minimal affinity to the androgen receptor and no affinity for the human estrogen or mineralocorticoid receptors.

It is more effective at preventing pregnancy the earlier it is taken, so it is important to take it as soon as possible after unprotected sex, rather than delay it to the fifth day.

Raw material for this medicine is available on www.ebiochem.com