The clinical pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of ulipristal acetate for the treatment of uterine fibroids.

Article Details

Citation

Pohl O, Zobrist RH, Gotteland JP

The clinical pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of ulipristal acetate for the treatment of uterine fibroids.

Reprod Sci. 2015 Apr;22(4):476-83. doi: 10.1177/1933719114549850. Epub 2014 Sep 16.

PubMed ID
25228633 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

Uterine fibroids are benign hormone-sensitive tumors of uterine smooth muscle cells leading to heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain. Ulipristal acetate (UPA) is an emerging medical treatment of fibroids with the potential to be used for long-term treatment. In this context, the present article summarizes UPA's main clinical pharmacology and pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. Ulipristal acetate has good oral bioavailability and a half-life allowing one single oral administration per day for the management of fibroids. As a steroid, UPA is a substrate for cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 but does not act as an inducer or inhibitor of the CYP system or transporter proteins. With the exception of drugs modulating CYP3A4 activity, risks of drug-drug interactions with UPA are unlikely. In conclusion, besides its pharmacodynamic characteristics, UPA shows favorable PK properties that contribute to a good efficacy-safety ratio for the long-term management of uterine fibroids in clinical practice.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Enzymes
DrugEnzymeKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
UlipristalCytochrome P450 1A2ProteinHumans
No
Substrate
Details
Drug Interactions
DrugsInteraction
Ulipristal
Bosentan
The serum concentration of Ulipristal can be decreased when it is combined with Bosentan.
Ulipristal
Phenytoin
The metabolism of Ulipristal can be increased when combined with Phenytoin.
Ulipristal
Carbamazepine
The metabolism of Ulipristal can be increased when combined with Carbamazepine.
Ulipristal
Mitotane
The metabolism of Ulipristal can be increased when combined with Mitotane.
Ulipristal
Rifampin
The metabolism of Ulipristal can be increased when combined with Rifampicin.