Missed AbortionPhase 2NCT05216952
Ulipristal Acetate for Use in Early Pregnancy Loss
A Phase 2 study testing Ulipristal Acetate Tablets and Misoprostol Pill in people with Missed Abortion and Anembryonic Pregnancy, run by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill at 4 sites in United States.
Trial summary
The investigators will study the feasibility of using 90mg ulipristal acetate, a selective progesterone receptor agonist, as an adjunct to 800mcg vaginal misoprostol for the medical management of early pregnancy loss. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Missed Abortion, Anembryonic Pregnancy, Non-Viable Pregnancy
- What is being tested?
- Ulipristal Acetate Tablets and Misoprostol Pill
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 3 participants
- Where
- 4 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 11 May 2022to 30 Apr 2023
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Female, age 18 years or older
- English- or Spanish-speaking
- Ultrasound examination showing a non-viable intrauterine pregnancy between 5- and 12-weeks' gestation or anembryonic gestation
- Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
- Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
Who cannot join
- Desire for non-medical management of early pregnancy loss (either expectant management or surgical management)
- Hemodynamically unstable
- Evidence of incomplete or inevitable abortion (due to high efficacy of misoprostol alone)
- Contraindication or allergy to ulipristal acetate or misoprostol (glaucoma, mitral stenosis, sickle cell anemia, chronic glucocorticoid use)
- Evidence of a viable intrauterine pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, or pregnancy with intrauterine device in place
- Evidence of pelvic infection
Show all 19Show fewer
- Hemoglobin <9.5g/dL
- Known cardiovascular disease (arrhythmia, cardiac failure, valvular disease, angina)
- Known clotting or bleeding disorder, or on anticoagulation therapy
- Use of the following medications that may influence metabolization of the study medications: barbiturates, bosentan, carbamazepine, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, St. John's Wort, topiramate
- Use of CYP3A4 inhibitors within five elimination half-lives of ulipristal acetate or other strong CYP3A4 inhibitors
- Chronic adrenal failure (risk of acute renal insufficiency)
- Concurrent long-term corticosteroid therapy (risk of acute renal insufficiency)
- Any history of underlying liver disorder, including hepatitis
- Elevation of any or all liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin) above the upper limit of normal (ULN) at baseline testing prior to enrollment
- A family history of hepatitis or currently living with a person who has been given a diagnosis of hepatitis
- A history of or currently working as a sex worker
- A history of or currently using intravenous (IV) drugs
- A self-reported history of alcohol dependency or abuse
Trial locations and contacts
4 sites in 1 country.
United States4 sites
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill - Same Day OBGYN Clinic
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill - Vilcom Center
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill - Weaver Crossing
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill - Hillsborough Medical Office Building
Hillsborough, North Carolina, 27278
About this study
Official title: Ulipristal Acetate for Use in Early Pregnancy Loss: A Phase 2 Pilot Feasibility Study
The investigators will study the feasibility of using 90mg ulipristal acetate, a selective progesterone receptor agonist, as an adjunct to 800mcg vaginal misoprostol for the medical management of early pregnancy loss. Patients will be followed to assess effective treatment of early pregnancy loss, additional interventions needed, side effects, adverse events and patient acceptability.
Read the detailed description
Study Background: Early pregnancy loss affects approximately 10% of women throughout their reproductive lives and many women desire medical management of early pregnancy loss. Data from two large randomized controlled trials suggests that pretreatment with mifepristone 200mg, a selective progesterone receptor modulator, prior to administration of misoprostol 800mcg increases effectiveness of medical management of early pregnancy loss and decreases the need for subsequent surgical management. Ulipristal acetate (UPA) is another selective progesterone receptor modulator that may allow for similar priming of the cervix and sensitization of the myometrium to the prostaglandins to improve effectiveness of misoprostol in medical management of early pregnancy loss. Ulipristal acetate is available as a prescription medication through commercial pharmacies. Thus, utilizing UPA plus misoprostol for early pregnancy loss may improve access to patients.
Study Objectives:
Primary Objective:
- To assess if 90mg ulipristal acetate as an adjunct to 800mcg vaginal misoprostol is a feasible method for medical management of early pregnancy loss.
Secondary Objectives:
- To evaluate if participants taking ulipristal acetate plus misoprostol achieve complete resolution of early pregnancy loss.
- To investigate if patients using ulipristal acetate plus misoprostol have side effects or adverse events when used for early pregnancy loss.
- To identify if patients find ulipristal acetate and misoprostol an acceptable treatment for early pregnancy loss.
Study Population: Participants eligible for the study include women over age 18 presenting with a non-viable pregnancy between 5- and 12-weeks gestation or an anembryonic gestation and desiring medical management.
Study Location: All study activities will take place at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (UNC). Participants will be recruited from OBGYN clinics following diagnosis of early pregnancy loss on viability scan. All follow up study activities will take place at UNC Chapel Hill Family Planning Clinic.
Study Intervention: Ulipristal acetate is a selective progesterone receptor modulator that is currently FDA approved for the use of emergency contraception. Three 30mg tablets will be administered orally for a total dose of 90mg. Participants will be instructed to self-administer 800mcg of misoprostol 6 to 18 hours after receiving ulipristal acetate as per the standard of care for early pregnancy loss management. Participants will be followed for resolution of their early pregnancy loss.
- Conditions
- Missed Abortion, Anembryonic Pregnancy, Non-Viable Pregnancy
- Being tested
- Ulipristal Acetate Tablets, Misoprostol Pill
- Keywords
- Medical management of miscarriage
- Medical subject headings
- Abortion, Missed
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Ulipristal Acetate TabletsDrug
Also called Ella
90mg (three 30mg tablets) administered orally once
Misoprostol PillDrug
Also called Cytotec
800mcg (four 200mcg pills) administered vaginally once 6-18 hours following ulipristal acetate
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| UPA 90mg | Experimental | Participants receive ulipristal acetate 90mg PO followed by self-administration of misoprostol 800mcg vaginally 6 to 18 hours following ulipristal acetate administration. Receives: Drug: Ulipristal Acetate Tablets; Drug: Misoprostol Pill |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Percentage of Participants Recruited to Study Protocol
Measured as number of participants enrolled in study divided by number of patients screened for participation in study
Measured: Baseline
Percentage of Participants Adherent to Study Protocol
Measured as number of participants self reporting adherence to study intervention of ulipristal acetate followed by misoprostol taken 6-18 hours later divided by number of participants enrolled in study.
Measured: From admission until day 3 follow up, +/- 1 day
Percentage of Participants Retained in Study Protocol
Measured as number of participants attending all required study visits (day 0, day 3, day 8, and day 30) divided by number of participants enrolled in study
Measured: From admission until day 30 follow up, +/- 7 days
Secondary outcomes (4)
Number of Participants With Resolution of Early Pregnancy Loss Following Study Intervention
Absence of gestational sac on transvaginal ultrasound examination on day 3 follow up
Measured: From admission until day 3 follow up, +/- 1 day
Number of Participants With Treatment-Related Side Effects
Participant reported side effects based on pre-specified list of common side effects (fatigue, headache, dizziness, chills, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, severe cramping, and fever) that may occur with medication management of early pregnancy loss.
Measured: From admission until day 30 follow up, +/- 7 days
Number of Participants With Treatment-Related Adverse Events
Participant reported adverse events based on pre-specified list (bleeding requiring hospitalization and/or blood transfusion, pelvic infection requiring hospitalization and/or antibiotics) that may occur with medication management of early pregnancy loss.
Measured: From admission until day 30 follow up, +/- 7 days
Median Acceptability of Study Intervention
Participant reported ordinal data based on 4 Likert scale questions about acceptability of study intervention with scores ranging from 1-5 (1=Very Unlikely, 2=More Unlikely, 3=Neutral, 4=More Likely, 5=Very Likely). Higher scores indicated more acceptable treatment.
Measured: From admission until day 30 follow up, +/- 7 days
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted1 Feb 2022
- Study start11 May 2022
- Primary completion3 Jan 2023
- Study completion30 Apr 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Missed AbortionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of North Carolina, Chapel HillThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 3 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Jill M Hagey, MD, MPH, Principal investigator, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05216952
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 21-2315
- Other IDs
- C21-1493
- Status last verified
- Jun 2023
- First submitted
- 19 Jan 2022
- Last updated
- 28 Jun 2023
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Deidentified individual data that supports the results will be shared beginning 9 to 36 months following publication provided the investigator who proposes to use the data has approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB), Independent Ethics Committee (IEC), or Research Ethics Board (REB), as applicable, and executes a data use/sharing agreement with UNC.
Publications
Hagey JM, Tang JH, Morse JE, Bryant AG. Ulipristal acetate for use in medical management of early pregnancy loss: a pilot feasibility study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2026 Jul 2. doi: 10.1186/s12884-026-09485-4. Online ahead of print.
PubMed 42387351
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Jun 2023. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Ulipristal Acetate for Use in Early Pregnancy Loss: A Phase 2 Pilot Feasibility Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05216952
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 21-2315
- Conditions
- Missed Abortion, Anembryonic Pregnancy, Non-Viable Pregnancy
- Keywords
- Medical management of miscarriage
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 3 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of North Carolina, Chapel HillUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute
- Study start
- 11 May 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 3 Jan 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Apr 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 1 Feb 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 28 Jun 2023
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The investigators will study the feasibility of using 90mg ulipristal acetate, a selective progesterone receptor agonist, as an adjunct to 800mcg vaginal misoprostol for the medical management of early pregnancy loss. Patients will be followed to assess effective treatment of early pregnancy loss, additional interventions needed, side effects, adverse events and patient acceptability.
Detailed description
Study Background: Early pregnancy loss affects approximately 10% of women throughout their reproductive lives and many women desire medical management of early pregnancy loss. Data from two large randomized controlled trials suggests that pretreatment with mifepristone 200mg, a selective progesterone receptor modulator, prior to administration of misoprostol 800mcg increases effectiveness of medical management of early pregnancy loss and decreases the need for subsequent surgical management. Ulipristal acetate (UPA) is another selective progesterone receptor modulator that may allow for similar priming of the cervix and sensitization of the myometrium to the prostaglandins to improve effectiveness of misoprostol in medical management of early pregnancy loss. Ulipristal acetate is available as a prescription medication through commercial pharmacies. Thus, utilizing UPA plus misoprostol for early pregnancy loss may improve access to patients.
Study Objectives:
Primary Objective:
- To assess if 90mg ulipristal acetate as an adjunct to 800mcg vaginal misoprostol is a feasible method for medical management of early pregnancy loss.
Secondary Objectives:
- To evaluate if participants taking ulipristal acetate plus misoprostol achieve complete resolution of early pregnancy loss.
- To investigate if patients using ulipristal acetate plus misoprostol have side effects or adverse events when used for early pregnancy loss.
- To identify if patients find ulipristal acetate and misoprostol an acceptable treatment for early pregnancy loss.
Study Population: Participants eligible for the study include women over age 18 presenting with a non-viable pregnancy between 5- and 12-weeks gestation or an anembryonic gestation and desiring medical management.
Study Location: All study activities will take place at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (UNC). Participants will be recruited from OBGYN clinics following diagnosis of early pregnancy loss on viability scan. All follow up study activities will take place at UNC Chapel Hill Family Planning Clinic.
Study Intervention: Ulipristal acetate is a selective progesterone receptor modulator that is currently FDA approved for the use of emergency contraception. Three 30mg tablets will be administered orally for a total dose of 90mg. Participants will be instructed to self-administer 800mcg of misoprostol 6 to 18 hours after receiving ulipristal acetate as per the standard of care for early pregnancy loss management. Participants will be followed for resolution of their early pregnancy loss.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| UPA 90mg | Experimental | Drug: Ulipristal Acetate Tablets, Drug: Misoprostol PillParticipants receive ulipristal acetate 90mg PO followed by self-administration of misoprostol 800mcg vaginally 6 to 18 hours following ulipristal acetate administration. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Female, age 18 years or older
- English- or Spanish-speaking
- Ultrasound examination showing a non-viable intrauterine pregnancy between 5- and 12-weeks' gestation or anembryonic gestation
- Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
- Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
Key exclusion criteria (19 listed)
- Desire for non-medical management of early pregnancy loss (either expectant management or surgical management)
- Hemodynamically unstable
- Evidence of incomplete or inevitable abortion (due to high efficacy of misoprostol alone)
- Contraindication or allergy to ulipristal acetate or misoprostol (glaucoma, mitral stenosis, sickle cell anemia, chronic glucocorticoid use)
- Evidence of a viable intrauterine pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, or pregnancy with intrauterine device in place
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Ulipristal Acetate TabletsAlso: Ella90mg (three 30mg tablets) administered orally once | Drug | UPA 90mg |
| Misoprostol PillAlso: Cytotec800mcg (four 200mcg pills) administered vaginally once 6-18 hours following ulipristal acetate | Drug | UPA 90mg |
Primary outcome
Percentage of Participants Recruited to Study Protocol
Time frame: Baseline
Measured as number of participants enrolled in study divided by number of patients screened for participation in study
Percentage of Participants Adherent to Study Protocol
Time frame: From admission until day 3 follow up, +/- 1 day
Measured as number of participants self reporting adherence to study intervention of ulipristal acetate followed by misoprostol taken 6-18 hours later divided by number of participants enrolled in study.
Percentage of Participants Retained in Study Protocol
Time frame: From admission until day 30 follow up, +/- 7 days
Measured as number of participants attending all required study visits (day 0, day 3, day 8, and day 30) divided by number of participants enrolled in study
4 secondary outcomes
Number of Participants With Resolution of Early Pregnancy Loss Following Study Intervention
Time frame: From admission until day 3 follow up, +/- 1 day
Number of Participants With Treatment-Related Side Effects
Time frame: From admission until day 30 follow up, +/- 7 days
Number of Participants With Treatment-Related Adverse Events
Time frame: From admission until day 30 follow up, +/- 7 days
Median Acceptability of Study Intervention
Time frame: From admission until day 30 follow up, +/- 7 days
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 Jun 2023.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42387351Hagey JM, Tang JH, Morse JE, Bryant AG. Ulipristal acetate for use in medical management of early pregnancy loss: a pilot feasibility study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2026 Jul 2. doi: 10.1186/s12884-026-09485-4. Online ahead of print.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Deidentified individual data that supports the results will be shared beginning 9 to 36 months following publication provided the investigator who proposes to use the data has approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB), Independent Ethics Committee (IEC), or Research Ethics Board (REB), as applicable, and executes a data use/sharing agreement with UNC.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Jill M Hagey, MD, MPH principal investigator
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
4 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 2 study testing Ulipristal Acetate Tablets and Misoprostol Pill in people with Missed Abortion and Anembryonic Pregnancy, run by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill at 4 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 19 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Jun 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 4 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 28 Jun 2023). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Percentage of Participants Recruited to Study Protocol (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05216952, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Jun 2023.