Ulipristal Acetate for Emergency Contraception

Levonorgestrel provides effective contraception when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse. Ulipristal acetate, a selective progesterone-receptor modulator, has similar efficacy when used during the same time frame. In two trials sponsored by the manufacturer of ulipristal, investigators assessed whether ulipristal effectively prevented pregnancy when given within 5 days after unprotected intercourse.

In an international single-blind trial, 1899 women who presented for emergency contraception were randomized to receive 30-mg ulipristal acetate or 1.5-mg levonorgestrel. In women who received contraception within 72 hours of intercourse, pregnancy rates were 1.8% in the ulipristal group and 2.6% in the levonorgestrel group. A…