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Rifampicin and oral EC — DFSRH MCQ

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HardEmergency contraceptionRifampicin and oral ECDFSRH

A patient takes ulipristal acetate emergency contraception today and wishes to restart her desogestrel POP. Which timing advice best avoids reducing ulipristal effectiveness?

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Correct answer: A — Wait 5 days before restarting the desogestrel POP

Progestogen can reduce the effectiveness of ulipristal acetate. CoSRH/FSRH advises waiting 5 days after ulipristal before starting or restarting hormonal contraception. Additional contraceptive precautions are then needed for the appropriate duration for the resumed method; for a desogestrel POP this is 2 days.

Reference: CoSRH/FSRH, Emergency contraception guideline (amended July 2023): https://www.cosrh.org/Common/Uploaded%20files/documents/fsrh-guideline-emergency-contraception03dec2020-amendedjuly2023-11jul.pdf