Unipristal

Unipristal Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Unipristal acetate is a selective progesterone receptor modulator. It acts by blocking the receptor of a hormone in the body called progesterone, which is involved in controlling the growth of the lining of the womb. In some women, progesterone may promote the growth of fibroids, which may cause symptoms such as heavy uterine bleeding, anaemia and abdominal pain. When progesterone activity is blocked, fibroid cells stop dividing and eventually die which reduces the size of the fibroids and reduces the symptoms caused by them.

Unipristal is a selective, reversible progestin receptor modulator and its tissue targets include the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and hypothalamus. Unipristal may act as an agonist or antagonist in the presence or absence of progesterone based on the tissue target. If given mid-follicular phase, development of the follicle growth is delayed and estradiol concentrations decrease. If given at the time when luteinizing hormone peaks, follicular rapture is delayed by several days. If given early-luteal phase, a decrease in endometrial thickness can be observed.

Trade Name Unipristal
Availability Prescription only
Generic Ulipristal
Ulipristal Other Names Ulipristal
Related Drugs levonorgestrel, Plan B, Plan B One-Step, ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel, ella, My Way
Weight 5mg
Type Capsule
Formula C28H35NO3
Weight Average: 433.592
Monoisotopic: 433.261693991
Protein binding

>94% bound to plasma proteins such as albumin, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL, and HDL- due to its lipophillic nature)

Groups Approved
Therapeutic Class Drugs acting on the Uterus
Manufacturer Pharmanova Specialities Pvt Ltd
Available Country India
Last Updated: September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am
Unipristal
Unipristal

Uses

Unipristal Acetate is used before surgery to treat moderate to severe symptoms of uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous (benign) tumors of the womb (uterus). Unipristal Acetate is used in adult women who have not yet reached menopause.

Unipristal is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Moderate Uterine Fibroids, Severe Uterine Fibroids, Emergency Contraception

How Unipristal works

The exact mechanism of action of ulipristal has been heavily debated . On one hand, the majority of official prescribing information labels, monographs, and prior research studies for ulipristal indicated as an emergency contraceptive suggest that its primary mechanism of action revolves around inhibiting or delaying ovulation by suppressing surges in LH that result in the postponement of follicular rupture .

Conversely, some of the latest investigations pertaining to ulipristal's mechanism of action as an emergency contraceptive propose that it principally elicits its action by preventing embryo implantation, as opposed to preventing ovulation . Although previous investigations have shown that ulipristal essentially has the ability to prevent ovulation equivalent to placebo (ie. null effect or ability) when administered during LH peaks one to two days before ovulation, the agent still demonstrates a stable and consistently high contraceptive effect of approximately >=80% when used at this time . Subsequently, current studies attempt to investigate how ulipristal could elicit emergency contraception via ovulation prevention under circumstances where ovulation had already clearly been observed . Endometrial biopsy samples studied from such circumstances in such investigations subsequently show that the administered ulipristal causes endometrial tissue to become inhospitable and unsuitable for embryo implantation where a variety of genes characteristic of receptive, pro-gestational endometrium are downregulated .

Nevertheless, most if not all proposed mechanisms commonly agree that ulipristal ultimately demonstrates its pharmacological effects by binding to human progesterone receptors and prevents natural, endogenous progesterone from occupying such receptors . Regardless, however, considering current and on-going research into ulipristal's ability to prevent embryo implantation, the notion that the medication can elicit post-fertilization effects potentially raises alerts and/or ethical debates over the use of ulipristal owing to potential abortifacient activity , which is considered to be on par or equipotent to that of mifepristone . Attention should be drawn to the fact that some prescribing information, however, such as the US FDA label for ulipristal indicated for emergency contraception, has included new supplementary commentary since 2018 that directly warns about ulipristal not being indicated for termination of existing pregnancies and suggesting that ulipristal use may confer alterations to the endometrium that may affect implantation and contribute to efficacy .

In the treatment of fibroids, ulipristal has been shown to exert direct actions on fibroids reducing their size through inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis.

Dosage

Unipristal dosage

Unipristal acetate is taken by mouth and the recommended dose is one tablet (5 mg) a day for up to three months. The three month treatment can be repeated but only once. Treatment should always be started during the first week of the menstrual cycle (period bleeding).

Side Effects

Common side effects are Endometrial thickening, Hot flush, Headache, Uterine haemorrhage

Precaution

Unipristal acetate should only be prescribed after careful diagnosis. Pregnancy should be precluded prior to treatment.

  • Contraception
  • Renal impairment
  • Hepatic impairment
  • Asthma patients
  • Endometrial changes

Patients should be informed that treatment with ulipristal acetate usually leads to a significant reduction in menstrual blood loss or amenorrhea within the first 10 days of treatment. If the excessive bleeding persist, patients should notify their physician. Menstrual periods will generally return within 4 weeks after the end of the treatment course

Food Interaction

  • Take with or without food. High-fat food increases drug absorption, but not to a clinically significant extent.

Unipristal Disease Interaction

Moderate: hepatic impairment, renal impairment

Elimination Route

Tmax, healthy subjects, single oral dose = 60-90 minutes; Cmax, healthy subjects, single oral dose = 176 ± 89 ng/mL; AUC(0-∞), healthy subjects, single oral dose = 556 ± 260 ng·h/mL;

Half Life

Mean elimination half-life, single oral dose, healthy subject = 32.4 ± 6.3 hours

Clearance

Mean oral clearance, single oral dose, healthy subject (CL/F) = 76.8 ± 64.0L/h

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy Category X. Unipristal acetate is contraindicated during pregnancy. Unipristal acetate is excreted in human milk and is not recommended.

Contraindication

  • Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
  • Genital bleeding of unknown aetiology or for reasons other than uterine fibroids.
  • Uterine, cervical, ovarian or breast cancer.

Acute Overdose

Experience with ulipristal acetate overdose is limited. Single doses up to 200 mg and daily doses of 50 mg for 10 consecutive days were administered to a limited number of subjects, and no severe or serious adverse reactions were reported.

Storage Condition

Keep protected from light & moisture, store below 25° C. Keep out of reach of children.

Innovators Monograph

You find simplified version here Unipristal

Unipristal contains Ulipristal see full prescribing information from innovator Unipristal Monograph, Unipristal MSDS, Unipristal FDA label

FAQ

What is Unipristal used for?

Unipristal is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse (sex without any method of birth control or with a birth control method that failed or was not used properly)

What are the common side effects of brad ?

Headache, nausea, abdominal pain, tiredness, dizziness, or painful menstrual periods may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

How safe Unipristal is?

Unipristal is safe and effective for emergency contraception up to 5 days (120 h) following unprotected intercourse.

Is Unipristal safe during pregnancy ?

This medication must not be used during pregnancy. This drug is contraindicated for use during an existing or suspected pregnancy.

Is Unipristal safe during breastfeeding?

Unipristal is not the preferred emergency contraceptive during breastfeeding, however, do not consider it necessary to withhold breastfeeding if a single dose has been taken.

Is Unipristal a morning after pill?

Unipristal also known as the morning after pill.

How do I take Unipristal pills?

Take 1 tablet by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor as soon as possible after unprotected sex.Unipristal works best when it is taken within 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex.

Does Unipristal stop periods?

Unipristal acetate has been studied as a treatment option for women who have fibroids and heavy bleeding. The majority of women treated with Unipristal stopped having periods altogether.

When is Unipristal used?

Unipristal is administered as a single dose without regard to mealtimes. Repeated dosing in the same menstrual cycle is not recommended.

How often can I take Unipristal?

Unipristal should only be taken once during a menstrual cycle. You also shouldn't take other birth control pills that contain progestin for at least 5 days after taking Unipristal.

How long does Unipristal stay in my system?

Unipristal is taken as a single tablet. Whereas the effectiveness of Levonorgestrel starts to decrease after 12 hours, Unipristal is thought to remain up to 98% effective throughout the five day window.

What does Unipristal do to my body?

Unipristal prevents pregnancy mainly by preventing or delaying ovulation.

Does Unipristal work after ovulation?

The administration of Unipristal occur more than 24 hours after ovulation.

*** Taking medicines without doctor's advice can cause long-term problems.
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