What is Mifepristone?
Mifepristone is used alone or in combination with misoprostol (Cytotec) to end an early pregnancy. Early pregnancy means it has been 49 days or less since your last menstrual period began. Mifepristone is in a class of medications called antiprogestational steroids. It works by blocking the activity of progesterone, a substance your body makes to help continue pregnancy.
Brand Name
Mifepre
Other Names
What is Mifepristone?
Mifepristone is used alone or in combination with misoprostol (Cytotec) to end an early pregnancy. Early pregnancy means it has been 49 days or less since your last menstrual period began. Mifepristone is in a class of medications called antiprogestational steroids. It works by blocking the activity of progesterone, a substance your body makes to help continue pregnancy.
How
Mifepristone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It should be taken only in a clinic, medical office, or hospital under the supervision of a qualified doctor. You will take three tablets of mifepristone at one time on the first day. Two days later you must go back to your doctor. If your doctor is not certain that your pregnancy has ended, you will take two tablets of another medication called misoprostol. You may have vaginal bleeding for 9 to 30 days or longer. Fourteen days after taking mifepristone, you must go back to your doctor for an exam or ultrasound to make sure that the pregnancy has ended. Take mifepristone exactly as directed.
Side Effects
vaginal bleeding or spottingcrampspelvic painvaginal burning, itching, or dischargeheadachetirednessdifficulty falling asleep or staying asleepanxietyback or leg painMifepristone may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html
Precautions
Before taking mifepristone,tell your doctor if you are allergic to mifepristone; misoprostol (Arthrotec, Cytotec); other prostaglandins such as alprostadil, carboprost tromethamine (Hemabate), dinoprostone (Cervidil, Prepidil, Prostin E2), epoprostenol (Flolan), latanoprost (Xalatan), treprostinil (Remodulin); or any other medications.do not take mifepristone if you are taking any of the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or corticosteroids such as beclomethasone (QVAR inhaler), betamethasone (Celestone), budesonide (Entocort, Pulmicort), cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexpak, Dexasone, others), fludrocortisone (Floriner), flunisolide (AeroBid); fluticasone (Advair, Flovent), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Cortenema, Hydrocortone), methylprednisolone (Medrol, Meprolone, others), prednisolone (Prelone, others), prednisone (Deltasone, Meticorten, Sterapred, others), and triamcinolone (Aristocort, Azmacort).tell your doctor what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone); astemizole; benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), midazolam (Versed), or triazolam (Halcion); buspirone (BuSpar); calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, others), felodipine (Lexxel, Plendil), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), nisoldipine (Sular), nitrendipine , or verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan); carbamazepine (Tegretol); chlorpheniramine (antihistamine in cough and cold products); cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), cerivastatin , lovastatin (Mevacor), or simvastatin (Zocor); cimetidine (Tagamet); cisapride; clarithromycin (Biaxin, Prevpac); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); dicloxacillin; erythromycin (E.E.S., EM-Mycin, Erythrocin); fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem); fluvoxamine (Luvox); haloperidol; furosemide; HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), or saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase); itraconazole (Sporanox); ketoconazole (Nizoral); methadone (Dolophine, Methadose); nefazodone (Serzone); phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); phenytoin (Dilantin); pimozide (Orap); propranolol (Inderal); quinidine; quinine; rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); rifabutin (Mycobutin); tacrolimus (Prograf, Protopic); tamoxifen (Nolvadex); trazodone; troleandomycin (TAO); verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan, others); or vincristine (Vincasar). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort.tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the conditions listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or any of the following: diabetes ; high blood pressure; porphyria (an inherited blood disease that may cause skin or nervous system problems); adrenal failure (problems with your adrenal glands); or heart, kidney, liver, or lung diseasetell your doctor if you have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place. It must be taken out before you take mifepristone.you should know that it is possible that mifepristone will not end your pregnancy. Your doctor will check to be sure that your pregnancy has ended when you return for your follow up appointments after you take mifepristone. If your pregnancy has not ended, you may choose to have surgery to end the pregnancy. If you do not have this surgery, your baby may be born with birth defects.tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You may need to stop breast-feeding for a few days after taking mifepristone. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you have taken mifepristone.you should know that mifepristone may make you dizzy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.tell your doctor if you smoke 10 or more cigarettes a day or if you have a history of heavy smoking.you should know that after ending a pregnancy with mifepristone, you can become pregnant again right away, even before your period returns. If you do not want to become pregnant again, you should begin using birth control as soon as this pregnancy ends or before you start having sexual intercourse again.
Overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
dizzinessfaintingblurred visionupset stomachtirednessweaknessshortness of breathfast heart beat
What If I Forget
You will only take mifepristone in your doctor's office or clinic, so you do not have to worry about forgetting to take a dose at home.
Storage
Your doctor will store the medication in his or her office.
Dietary Restrictions
Do not take mifepristone with grapefruit juice. Talk to your doctor about drinking grapefruit juice after taking this medication.
Miscellaneous
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Other Uses
Mifepristone is also sometimes used to end pregnancies when more than 49 days have passed since the woman's last menstrual period; as an emergency contraceptive after unprotected sexual intercourse ('morning-after pill'); to treat tumors of the brain, endometriosis (growth of uterus tissue outside the uterus), or fibroids (noncancerous tumors in the uterus); or to induce labor (to help start the birth process in a pregnant woman). Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.
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