Ulipristal for Emergency Contraception

Ulipristal and the other emergency contraception pill, levonorgestrel (such as Next Choice or Plan B), work well when used soon after unprotected sex:

• If you aren't able to take an emergency contraceptive within the first 3 days after having unprotected sex, ulipristal works better than levonorgestrel. It can prevent pregnancy for up to 5 days after unprotected sex.^{Reference 1}
• If you are able to take an emergency contraceptive within 3 three days of having unprotected sex, ulipristal works about the same as levonorgestrel.^{Reference 1} (Levonorgestrel has been shown to prevent about 3 out of every 4 pregnancies when used within 3 days of unprotected sex.)^{Reference 2}

After you take ulipristal, your next period may start a few days earlier or later than expected. If your period is more than 7 days later than expected, or if it is lighter than expected, you should get a pregnancy test.

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