Mifestad

About Mifestad (ulipristal acetate 30mg)

Mifestad is a single-dose emergency contraception pill containing 30mg of ulipristal acetate — a selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM). It works by binding to progesterone receptors and delaying or blocking ovulation, even closer to the moment ovulation would otherwise occur. This is what gives Mifestad its longer effective window compared to levonorgestrel-based EC like Postinor.

Mifestad is effective for up to 120 hours (five days) after unprotected sex, with effectiveness remaining around 85% even at the far end of that window. Within 24 hours, effectiveness is approximately 98%. Between 24 and 72 hours, it stays in the mid-90s while levonorgestrel products start to lose effectiveness. After 72 hours, Mifestad becomes the only evidence-based oral EC option.

Because Mifestad is a prescription medication, Ruth Health includes a brief intake and clinician review when ordering. The review captures timing, medications, body weight, breastfeeding status, and any other factors that might shift the recommendation. Once approved, dispatch is same-day in Metro Manila and one to four business days elsewhere in the Philippines via J&T Express.

How to take Mifestad

Mifestad is taken as one tablet, swallowed whole with water, as soon as possible after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It can be taken with or without food. If you vomit within three hours of taking the dose, contact Ruth Health support — a replacement dose may be recommended depending on the timing.

Most common side effects are mild and short-lived: headache, nausea, fatigue, abdominal discomfort, and menstrual changes. Your next period may arrive a few days earlier or later than expected. If your period is more than seven days late, take a pregnancy test and contact support for next steps.

Importantly, Mifestad can interact with hormonal contraception. If you take Mifestad, the recommendation is to wait at least five days before starting or resuming a hormonal birth control pill, patch, ring, or injection, and to use a barrier method (like condoms) in the meantime to avoid reducing the EC's effectiveness.

When Mifestad is the better choice

Mifestad is the recommended option whenever the time elapsed since unprotected sex is uncertain, when more than 72 hours have passed, or when access to the medication may take several days. Provincial customers ordering through Ruth Health are usually steered toward Mifestad for exactly this reason: a one-to-four day delivery window leaves more margin if Mifestad is the product on its way.

Other reasons to choose Mifestad include higher body weight (where levonorgestrel may be less reliable), uncertainty about the exact event time, and situations where the patient prefers the highest possible effectiveness across the full window. The price difference between Postinor and Mifestad reflects the difference in the active ingredient — Mifestad is the newer, longer-acting option.

After Mifestad: follow-up and ongoing contraception

In the days after taking Mifestad, you may notice mild side effects such as nausea, headache, or breast tenderness. These resolve on their own within a day or two. Some patients experience spotting or a shifted menstrual cycle, both of which are common and do not mean the medication failed.

The most important follow-up step is a pregnancy test if the next period is more than seven days late. After that, transitioning to ongoing contraception is the next practical decision: daily pills, hormonal implants, IUDs, or injections are all reasonable options depending on your situation. Ruth Health can support that transition through a clinician consultation if you'd like guidance choosing.