ATC Group: G03AD Emergency contraceptives

The World Health Organization's ATC classification organizes medical drugs based on therapeutic properties, chemical composition, and anatomy. It helps make essential medicines readily available globally and is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Position of G03AD in the ATC hierarchy

Level Code Title
1 G Genito urinary system and sex hormones
2 G03 Sex hormones and modulators of the genital system
3 G03A Hormonal contraceptives for systemic use
4 G03AD Emergency contraceptives

Group G03AD contents

Code Title
G03AD01 Levonorgestrel
G03AD02 Ulipristal

Active ingredients in G03AD

Active Ingredient Description
Levonorgestrel

The precise mode of action of levonorgestrel as an emergency contraceptive is not known. At the recommended regimen, levonorgestrel is thought to work mainly by preventing ovulation and fertilisation if intercourse has taken place in the preovulatory phase, when the likelihood of fertilisation is the highest.

Ulipristal

Ulipristal is an orally-active synthetic selective progesterone receptor modulator which acts via high-affinity binding to the human progesterone receptor. When used for emergency contraception the mechanism of action is inhibition or delay of ovulation via suppression of the luteinising hormone (LH) surge. Pharmacodynamic data show that even when taken immediately before ovulation is scheduled to occur (when LH has already started to rise), ulipristal acetate is able to postpone follicular rupture for at least 5 days.

Related product monographs

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ELLA Tablet FDA, National Drug Code (US) MPI, US: SPL/PLR
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ESCAPELLE Tablet Health Products Regulatory Authority (ZA) MPI, Generic
EZINELLE Tablet Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) MPI, EU: SmPC
LEVONELLE Tablet Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) MPI, EU: SmPC
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