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Ella

ulipristal acetate · Tablet

Prescription NDA TE AB RLD Official labelling
Informational index, not medical advice. Content is reproduced from public FDA and NLM data. Always confirm against the manufacturer's current prescribing information. Report adverse events to FDA MedWatch.

Overview

Brand name
Ella
Generic name
ulipristal acetate
Dosage form
Tablet
Route
Oral
Marketing category
NDA · NDA
Labeler
PMI Branded Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Product type
Human Prescription Drug
DEA schedule
Not scheduled
Active ingredients
1
NDC product codes
2
Packages
2
Data completeness
76% of corroborating sources present

Active ingredients

Source: NDC Directory
Active ingredients and strengths as listed in the NDC Directory.
Ingredient Strength RxCUI Monograph
Ulipristal Acetate 30 mg/1 1005924 —

Forms, strengths and routes

Source: NDC Directory
Dosage form
Tablet
Route of administration
Oral
Presentations
4

Pharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.

Pharmacologic class

Source: NDC Directory
Established pharmacologic classes (EPC), mechanisms of action (MoA), chemical structures (CS) and physiologic effects (PE).
Class Type Browse
Progesterone Agonist/Antagonist [EPC] EPC 1 member — no class page
Selective Progesterone Receptor Modulators [MoA] MoA 1 member — no class page

Regulatory status

Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory
Application number
022474
Application type
NDA · New Drug Application
Approval date
August 13, 2010
Sponsor
LAB HRA PHARMA
Products on application
1
Submissions recorded
9
Products approved under application 022474.
Product Trade name Form Strength Ingredient Status TE Flags
022474-001 ELLA TABLET ULIPRISTAL ACETATE Prescription AB RLD RS

Therapeutic equivalence

Source: Orange Book
TE code
AB
Reference Listed Drug
Yes
Reference Standard
Yes

What this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated by in vivo or in vitro testing

Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.

Patents and exclusivity

Source: Orange Book
Patent listings submitted under 21 U.S.C. 355(b)(1) and (c)(2).
Patent Expires Product Substance Use code Submitted
9844510 December 8, 2028 001 No April 18, 2019
8735380 February 20, 2029 001 No June 13, 2014
9283233 April 13, 2030 001 No U-1821 March 16, 2016
10159681 April 13, 2030 001 No U-2510 April 18, 2019
10772897 April 13, 2030 001 No U-2958 October 14, 2020
8512745 June 2, 2030 001 No September 12, 2013
8426392 June 12, 2030 001 No U-1389 May 7, 2013
8962603 June 12, 2030 001 No U-1657 February 25, 2015

Approval history

Source: Drugs@FDA
Most recent submissions on application 022474.
Type No. Action Status Date Review
Supplement 11 Efficacy Approved June 24, 2021 Standard
Supplement 10 Labeling Approved May 1, 2018 Standard
Supplement 6 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved April 7, 2015 Standard
Supplement 7 Labeling Approved March 10, 2015 Standard
Supplement 5 Labeling Approved August 28, 2014 Standard
Supplement 3 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved June 27, 2014 Standard
Supplement 4 Labeling Approved June 12, 2014 Standard
Supplement 2 Labeling Approved May 2, 2012 Standard
Original application 1 Type 1 - New Molecular Entity Approved August 13, 2010 Standard

Review documents

  • 0 · Supplement · June 28, 2021
  • 0 · Supplement · June 25, 2021
  • 0 · Supplement · May 4, 2018
  • 0 · Supplement · May 3, 2018
  • 0 · Supplement · March 31, 2015
  • 0 · Supplement · March 12, 2015
  • 0 · Supplement · March 11, 2015
  • 0 · Supplement · September 3, 2014
  • 0 · Supplement · August 28, 2014
  • 0 · Supplement · June 17, 2014
  • 0 · Supplement · June 17, 2014
  • 0 · Supplement · May 7, 2012
  • 0 · Supplement · May 4, 2012
  • 0 · Original application · September 17, 2010
  • 0 · Original application · September 17, 2010
  • 0 · Original application · August 13, 2010
  • 0 · Original application · August 13, 2010
  • 0 · Original application · January 1, 1900
  • 0 · Original application · January 1, 1900
  • 0 · Original application · January 1, 1900
  • 0 · Original application · January 1, 1900

Prescribing information

Source: openFDA Drug Labeling

Reproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20260720). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20260720 HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20230206

Recent Major Changes

openFDA Drug Labeling

RECENT MAJOR CHANGES • Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 , 2.2 , 2.3 ) 06/2021 • Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ) 06/2021

Indications and Usage

openFDA Drug Labeling

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Ella is a progesterone agonist/antagonist emergency contraceptive indicated for prevention of pregnancy following unprotected intercourse or a known or suspected contraceptive failure [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] . E lla is not intended for routine use as a contraceptive. Ella is a progesterone agonist/antagonist emergency contraceptive indicated for prevention of pregnancy following unprotected intercourse or a known or suspected contraceptive failure. Ella is not intended for routine use as a contraceptive. ( 1 )

Dosage and Administration

openFDA Drug Labeling

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Take one tablet orally as soon as possible, within 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected intercourse or a known or suspected contraceptive failure. Take with or without food. Take at any time during the menstrual cycle. ( 2.1 ) • After ella use, initiate or resume hormonal contraception no sooner than 5 days after the intake of ella and use a reliable barrier method until the next menstrual period. ( 2.2 ) • If vomiting occurs within 3 hours of taking ella , consider repeating the dose. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage and Administration • Take one tablet of ella orally as soon as possible within 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected intercourse or a known or suspected contraceptive failure. • Take ella with or without food. • Take ella at any time during the menstrual cycle. 2.2 Recommendations Regarding Use with Hormonal Contraception After ella use, initiate or resume hormonal contraception no sooner than 5 days after the intake of ella and use a reliable barrier method until the next menstrual period. For known or suspected failure of hormonal contraception refer to the hormonal contraceptive’s prescribing information for instructions on what to do [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) , Drug Interactions (7.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2 )] . 2.3 Recommendation in Case of Gastrointestinal Disturbances If vomiting occurs within 3 hours of taking ella , consider repeating the dose.

Dosage Forms and Strengths

openFDA Drug Labeling

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS The ella tablet is supplied as a white to off-white, round, curved tablet containing 30 mg of ulipristal acetate and is marked " ella " on both sides. 30 mg tablet ( 3 )

Contraindications

openFDA Drug Labeling

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Ella is contraindicated for use in the case of known or suspected pregnancy [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ]. • Known or suspected pregnancy ( 4 )

Warnings and Cautions

openFDA Drug Labeling

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Existing Pregnancy: ella is not indicated for termination of an existing pregnancy. ( 5.1) • Ectopic pregnancy: Evaluate women who become pregnant or complain of lower abdominal pain after taking ella for ectopic pregnancy. ( 5.2 ) • Fertility Following Use : Rapid return of fertility is likely. Subsequent acts of intercourse should be protected by a reliable barrier method of contraception until the next menstrual period. ( 5.5 ) • Effect on Menstrual Cycle: ella may alter the next expected menses. If menses is delayed beyond 1 week, rule out pregnancy. ( 5.6 ) • Ella does not protect against STI/HIV. ( 5.7 ) 5.1 Existing Pregnancy Ella is not indicated for termination of an existing pregnancy. 5.2 Ectopic Pregnancy A history of ectopic pregnancy is not a contraindication to use of this emergency contraceptive method. Healthcare providers, however, should consider the possibility of ectopic pregnancy in women who become pregnant or complain of lower abdominal pain after taking ella . A follow-up physical or pelvic examination is recommended if there is any doubt concerning the general health or pregnancy status of any woman after taking ella . 5.3 Repeated Use Ella is for occasional use as an emergency contraceptive. It should not replace a regular method of contraception. Repeated use of ella within the same menstrual cycle is not recommended, as safety and efficacy of repeat use within the same cycle has not been evaluated. 5.4 CYP3A4 Inducers A CYP3A4 inducer, rifampin, decreases the plasma concentration of ella significantly. Ella should not be administered with CYP3A4 inducers [see Drug interactions (7.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 5.5 Fertility Following Use A rapid return of fertility is likely following treatment with ella for emergency contraception. After use of ella , a reliable barrier method of contraception should be used with subsequent acts of intercourse until the next menstrual period. After using ella , if a woman wishes to initiate hormonal contraception as a regular method, she can do so, no sooner than 5 days after the intake of ella and she should use a reliable barrier method until the next menstrual period [ see Dosage and Administration (2.2) , Drug Interactions (7.1 and 7.3 ) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ]. Progestin-containing contraceptives may impair the ability of ella to delay ovulation. Advise women to follow the instructions on the initiation or resumption of hormonal contraceptives after ella intake [see Dosage and Administration(2.2) ]. 5.6 Effect on Menstrual Cycle After ella intake, menses sometimes occur earlier or later than expected by a few days. In clinical trials, cycle length was increased by a mean of 2.5 days but returned to normal in the subsequent cycle. Seven percent of subjects reported menses occurring more than 7 days earlier than expected, and 19% reported a delay of more than 7 days. If there is a delay in the onset of expected menses beyond 1 week, rule out pregnancy. Nine percent of women studied reported intermenstrual bleeding after use of ella . 5.7 Sexually Transmitted Infections/HIV Ella does not protect against HIV infection (the virus that causes AIDS) or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Adverse Reactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reactions (≥ 5%) in the clinical trials were headache (18%), abdominal pain (12%), nausea (12%), dysmenorrhea (9%), fatigue (6%) and dizziness (5%). ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact HRA Pharma America Inc., at 844-994-0329 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Ella was studied in an open-label multicenter trial (Open-Label Study) and in a comparative, randomized, single-blind, multicenter trial (Single-Blind Comparative Study). In these studies, a total of 2,637 (1,533 + 1,104) women in the 30 mg ulipristal acetate groups were included in the safety analysis. The mean age of women who received ulipristal acetate was 24.5 years and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.3. The racial demographics of those enrolled were 67% Caucasian, 20% Black or African American, 2% Asian, and 12% other. The most common adverse reactions (≥ 10%) in the clinical trials for women receiving ella were headache (18% overall), nausea (12% overall) and abdominal and upper abdominal pain (12% overall). Table 1 lists those adverse reactions that were reported in ≥ 5% of subjects in the clinical studies ( 14 ). Table 1: Adverse Reactions in ≥ 5% of Women (%) Receiving a Single Dose of ella (30 mg Ulipristal Acetate) Most Common Adverse Reactions Open-Label Study Single-Blind Comparative Study N = 1,533 N = 1,104 Headache 18 19 Nausea 12 13 Abdominal and upper abdominal pain 15 8 Dysmenorrhea 7 13 Fatigue 6 6 Dizziness 5 5 6.2 Postmarketing Experience Adolescents: the safety profile observed in adolescents aged 17 and younger in studies and post-marketing is similar to the safety profile in adults [see Pediatric Use (8.4) ] . The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of ella : Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Acne Hypersensitivity reactions, including rash, urticaria, pruritis, and angioedema Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Drug Interactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Several in vivo drug interaction studies have shown that ella is predominantly metabolized by CYP3A4. • Drugs or herbal products that induce CYP3A4 decrease the effectiveness of ella . ( 7.1 ) • Initiation of progestin-containing contraceptives may impair the ability of ella to delay ovulation. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Changes in Emergency Contraceptive Effectiveness Associated with Co-Administration of Other Products CYP3A inducers Drugs or herbal products that induce CYP3A4 decrease the plasma concentrations of ella , and may decrease its effectiveness [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Avoid co-administration of ella and drugs or herbal products such as: • barbiturates • bosentan • carbamazepine • felbamate • griseofulvin • oxcarbazepine • phenytoin • rifampin • St. John's Wort • topiramate Hormonal contraceptives Progestin-containing contraceptives may impair the ability of ella to delay ovulation. After using ella , if a woman wishes to initiate or resume hormonal contraception, she can do so, no sooner than 5 days after the intake of ella and she should use a reliable barrier method until the next menstrual period. If a woman used ella due to a known or suspected failure of her hormonal contraception refer to the hormonal contraceptive’s prescribing information for instructions on what to do [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) , Warnings and Precautions (5.5) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ] . 7.2 Increase in Plasma Concentrations of ella Associated with Co-Administered Drugs CYP3A4 inhibitors such as itraconazole or ketoconazole increase plasma concentrations of ella [see Pharmacokinetics (12.3) ] . 7.3 Effects of ella on Co-Administered Drugs Hormonal contraceptives: ella may impact the effect of the progestin component of hormonal contraceptives. Therefore, if a woman wishes to use hormonal contraception after using ella , she should use a reliable barrier method for subsequent acts of intercourse until her next menstrual period [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) , Warnings and Precautions (5.5) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ] .

Use in Specific Populations

openFDA Drug Labeling

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Ella is contraindicated for use during an existing or suspected pregnancy. No signal of concern regarding pregnancy complications was found in postmarketing studies [see Data ]. Isolated cases of major malformations in ella- exposed pregnancies were identified; however, the data are not sufficient to determine a risk for birth defects with inadvertent use of ella during pregnancy. Miscarriage was reported in 14% of the known pregnancy outcomes; a rate that is similar to the U.S. background rate for miscarriage. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. In animal reproduction studies, no malformations were observed during repeated administration of ulipristal acetate to pregnant rats, rabbits and monkeys at daily drug exposures 1⁄3, 1⁄2, and 3 times respectively, the human exposure at a dose of 30 mg [ see Data ] . Data Human Data Ella pregnancy exposure data was collected in the U.S. and Europe from 1999 to 2015 and analyzed post-marketing using data from interventional clinical trials, observational studies and pharmacovigilance reports. Known pregnancy outcomes were available for 462/784 pregnancies in which women received ella at doses of 30 mg or greater during the conception cycle or during pregnancy. Data of pregnancies with known outcome were analyzed prospectively for 272 cases and retrospectively for 190 cases. Pregnancy outcomes included 302 elective abortions (2 for fetal anomalies including 1 with trisomy 21), 63 spontaneous abortions, and 13 ectopic pregnancies. No maternal or fetal deaths were reported. 84 pregnancies continued until birth, with congenital anomalies reported in 5 infants, including 4 major malformations (2/4 with genetic syndromes). Although these data do not allow estimation of the prevalence rate of congenital anomalies associated with inadvertent use of ella in pregnancy or determination of a causal relationship between reported anomalies and ella , they show that ella -exposed pregnancies were not associated with a pattern of increased risk of adverse outcomes. Animal Data Ulipristal acetate was administered repeatedly to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis. Embryofetal loss was noted in all pregnant rats and in half of the pregnant rabbits following 12 and 13 days of dosing, at daily drug exposures 1/3 and 1/2 the human exposure, respectively, based on body surface area (mg/m 2 ). There were no malformations of the surviving fetuses in these studies. Adverse effects were not observed in the offspring of pregnant rats administered ulipristal acetate during the period of organogenesis through lactation at drug exposures 1/24 the human exposure based on AUC. Administration of ulipristal acetate to pregnant monkeys for 4 days during the first trimester caused pregnancy termination in 2/5 animals at daily drug exposures 3 times the human exposure based on body surface area. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary Ulipristal acetate and its active metabolite, monodemethyl-ulipristal acetate, are present in human milk in small amounts (see Data ). Based on the levels of drug and active metabolite measured in breastmilk, a fully breastfed child would receive a weight-adjusted dosage of approximately 0.8% of ulipristal acetate and monodemethyl-ulipristal acetate on Day 1 of drug administration and an approximate total of 1% of the maternal dose over a 5-day period after drug administration. There is no information on the effects on the breastfed child or the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for ella and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from ella or from the underlying maternal condition. Data The breast milk of 12 lactating women following administration of ella was collected in …

Mechanism of Action

openFDA Drug Labeling

12.1 Mechanism of Action When taken immediately before ovulation is to occur, ella postpones follicular rupture. The likely primary mechanism of action of ulipristal acetate for emergency contraception is therefore inhibition or delay of ovulation; however, alterations to the endometrium that may affect implantation may also contribute to efficacy.

Description

openFDA Drug Labeling

11 DESCRIPTION The ella (ulipristal acetate) tablet for oral use contains 30 mg of a single active steroid ingredient, ulipristal acetate [17α-acetoxy-11β-(4-N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)-19-norpregna-4,9-diene-3,20-dione], a synthetic progesterone agonist/antagonist. The inactive ingredients are lactose monohydrate, povidone K-30, croscarmellose sodium and magnesium stearate. Ulipristal acetate is a white to yellow crystalline powder which has a molecular weight of 475.6. The structural formula is: C 30 H 37 NO 4 Ulipristal acetate structural formula

10 OVERDOSAGE Experience with ulipristal acetate overdose is limited. In a clinical study, single doses equivalent to up to 4 times ella were administered to a limited number of subjects without any adverse reactions.

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

openFDA Drug Labeling

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Ella (ulipristal acetate) tablet, 30 mg is supplied in a PVC-PE-PVDC or PVC-PVDC-aluminum blister. The tablet is a white to off-white, round, curved tablet marked with “ ella ” on both sides. NDC 73302-456-01 (1 tablet unit of use package) Store at 20-25°C (68-77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F) [See USP controlled room temperature.] Keep the blister in the outer carton in order to protect from light. Keep out of reach of children .

Adverse event reports

Source: openFDA FAERS
504
FAERS reports mentioning this drug
as of 2026-09-25T03:42:24+00:00
A report count is not a risk measure. FAERS accepts voluntary and mandatory reports without establishing causation, and reporting is influenced by how widely a drug is used, how long it has been marketed, and media attention. FDA states that reports “do not prove that the drug caused the event”. Compare rates, not totals.

Attributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: ULIPRISTAL ACETATE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.

Packaging and NDCs

Source: NDC Directory
Every National Drug Code package associated with this medication. The NDC is the identifier used for dispensing, billing and pharmacovigilance in the United States.
Package NDC Product NDC Labeler Description Marketing start
50090-5422-0 50090-5422 A-S Medication Solutions 1 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (50090-5422-0) / 1 TABLET in 1 BLISTER PACK January 6, 2021
73302-456-01 73302-456 PMI Branded Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (73302-456-01) / 1 TABLET in 1 BLISTER PACK May 11, 2020
50090-5422 50090-5422 A-S Medication Solutions — May 11, 2020
73302-456 73302-456 PMI Branded Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — May 11, 2020

Sources for this page

Every dataset that contributed a fact to this page.
Dataset Agency Used for
NDC Directory FDA Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages
Drugs@FDA FDA Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status
Orange Book FDA Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity
Drug Labeling FDA / NLM Prescribing information reproduced above
FAERS FDA Adverse event report counts

Generated September 25, 2026 · 12 sections on this page.