Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40123751›Full record

ReviewTherapeutics and clinical risk management2025

Hepatic Safety Considerations in the Use of Ulipristal Acetate for Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids.

Annika Semmler, Maria E de Lange, Joost P H Drenth, Niels S Vermeer, Pierre M Bet, Judith A F Huirne, Wouter J K Hehenkamp

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Therapeutics and clinical risk management, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Annika Semmler *Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Maria E de Lange *Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location AMC and VUMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Joost P H DrenthDepartment of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism (AGEM), Amsterdam University Medical Center, Location VUMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Niels S VermeerDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Pierre M BetDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Judith A F HuirneAmsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Wouter J K HehenkampAmsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Ulipristal acetate (UPA, 5 mg) demonstrated efficacy in symptom reduction for patients with symptomatic fibroids. While registration and post-marketing trials assessing UPA identified few hepatic concerns, post-marketing concerns about potential drug-induced liver injury (DILI) led to significant restrictions, including indication restriction, warning labels and mandatory liver function monitoring. These measures, along with two marketing suspensions, resulted in a decline in UPA use, ultimately leading to the withdrawal of its marketing authorization previously in Canada, Australia, as well as Singapore and in 2024, at the request of the marketing authorization holder for commercial reasons, also for the European Union. Methods: This narrative review critically evaluates the hepatic safety considerations associated with UPA. Results: On reassessment, the risk of severe DILI with UPA is low at 13.5:100.000, with an incidence of 1 in 200,000 for liver transplantation. These numbers are lower than with many other widely prescribed medications, where no regular liver monitoring is recommended. UPA was subjected to strict liver test monitoring although proof of effectiveness of these measures in preventing serious DILI was lacking. While the risk of severe hepatotoxic events is important to consider, a balanced approach to safety measures is needed, particularly in light of the higher risks associated with alternative treatment options such as surgical intervention. Conclusion: While UPA had a unique place in the treatment of uterine fibroids, overly cautious regulatory measures due to exceedingly rare DILI incidences led to the withdrawal of its marketing authorization in most parts of the world. There is a need for an improved understanding of DILI mechanisms and causality assessments to aid in the development of more proportional regulatory responses, balancing patient safety and sustained access to effective innovative treatment.

Indexed as

drug-induced liver injuryleiomyomapharmacovigilancesafety pharmacologyselective progesterone receptor modulatorulipristal

Identifiers

PMID40123751
PMCPMC11930018

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.