Mifepristone (By mouth)
mif-e-PRIS-tone
Ends a pregnancy that is less than 7 weeks along (49 days or less since the start of your last menstrual period). Also used to control high blood sugar in patients with Cushing syndrome who also have type 2 diabetes and have failed surgery or are not candidates for surgery.
Drug classes
Antiglucocorticoid, Antiprogesterone (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Mifepristone is used to end a pregnancy that is less than 49 days in duration. It works by stopping the supply of hormones that maintains the interior of the uterus. Without these hormones, the uterus cannot support the pregnancy and the contents of the uterus are expelled.
Mifepristone is also used to control high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) in patients with Cushing’s syndrome who also have type 2 diabetes and have failed surgery or are not candidates for surgery.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet
Mifeprex® tablets:
The entire treatment requires 3 visits to your doctor. At the first visit, you will be given 3 mifepristone tablets. Two days later at the second visit, you will be given 2 tablets of another medicine called misoprostol. Two weeks later at the third visit, your doctor will check to make sure you are no longer pregnant. This may include an ultrasound exam. This medicine will cause you to bleed and have cramps for about 2 to 4 weeks. Call your doctor if you have little or no vaginal bleeding after receiving the medicine. It is sometimes necessary to have a surgical abortion to completely end the pregnancy. You may also need to have surgery if there is any tissue left in your uterus after treatment with mifepristone.Korlym™ tablets:
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. It is best to take this medicine with food or milk. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
If a dose is missed:
It is very important for you to go to all of your appointments during your Mifeprex® treatment. Call your doctor if you are not able to keep one of your appointments.
Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are using St. John’s wort, medicine to treat an infection (such as ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, Biaxin®, Ery-Tab®, or Ketek®), medicine to treat a fungal infection (such as fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, Nizoral®, Sporanox®, or Vfend®), medicine to treat tuberculosis (such as rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine, Mycobutin®, Rifadin®, or Rimactane®), medicine to treat HIV/AIDS (such as amprenavir, atazanavir, darunavir/ritonavir, efavirenz, fosamprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, Crixivan®, Fortovase®, Invirase®, Kaletra®, Norvir®, or Viracept®), medicine for seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, Dilantin®, or Tegretol®), or a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®).
Tell your doctor if you are also using aprepitant (Emend®), boceprevir (Victrelis®), bupropion (Wellbutrin®), conivaptan (Vaprisol®), fluvastatin (Lescol®), imatinib (Gleevec®), mibefradil (Posicor®), nefazodone (Serzone®), repaglinide (Prandin®), telaprevir (Incivek®), or certain heart rhythm medicines (such as diltiazem, verapamil, Cardizem®, or Verelan®), pain or arthritis medicine called NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Motrin®, Vioxx®, or Voltaren®), or birth control pills.
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.
When Not To Use
Do not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to mifepristone, misoprostol, Arthrotec®, Cytotec®, or any type of prostaglandin. You should not use this medicine if you are pregnant, or have a tubal (ectopic) pregnancy, abnormal vaginal bleeding, endometrial cancer, problems with your adrenal glands, bleeding disorders, or porphyria. Do not use this medicine if you are also taking blood thinners (Coumadin®), cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal®), ergotamine (Ergomar®, Ergostat®), fentanyl (Sublimaze®), lovastatin (Altocor®, Mevacor®), pimozide (Orap®), quinidine (Quinora®), simvastatin (Zocor®), sirolimus (Rapamune®), tacrolimus (Prograf®), or steroid medicine such as dexamethasone, prednisone, or Medrol®. Tell your doctor is you have an IUD. It will need to be removed before you take this medicine. Do not use this medicine if you cannot get emergency medical care during your treatment.
Warnings
Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to prevent pregnancy during treatment and for 1 month after the last dose of this medicine. After treatment it is possible for you to get pregnant again, even before you have your next period. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, adrenal problems, autoimmune disorders, bleeding problems, low potassium in the blood, lung disease, heart failure, or a history of cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure.
Your doctor will give you instructions on what to do if you have a medical emergency, such as severe bleeding. Keep all emergency phone numbers with you during your treatment.
Call your doctor right away if you have a fever (100.4°F or higher), severe abdominal pain, heavy vaginal bleeding, weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or you feel dizzy or faint after you receive this medicine. These could be symptoms of a serious infection. If you cannot reach your doctor, go to a hospital or other medical facility right away.
Make sure you tell any other doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine. Keep your medication guide with you at all times so you can show the doctor.
Only your doctor can tell whether your pregnancy has been completely ended. During your 2-week follow-up visit, you will be examined to make sure you are no longer pregnant. It is extremely important for you to have this examination. If the treatment has not worked, your pregnancy may continue and the baby could be born with birth defects.
This medicine may cause adrenal gland problems. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor if you have unusual tiredness or weakness, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting, nausea or changes in your appetite, or darkening of the skin.
Contact your doctor right away if you have any changes to your heart rhythm. You might feel dizzy or faint, or you might have a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat. Make sure your doctor knows if you or anyone in your family has ever had a heart rhythm problem such as QT prolongation.
Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea, or vomiting
Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Fever
Increased hunger or thirst
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
Heavy vaginal bleeding or severe cramping
Severe abdominal pain
Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
Unusual tiredness or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Anxiety, sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
Back, joint, or muscle pain
Cramps or stomach pain (may be worse after you receive misoprostol at the second visit)
Diarrhea or constipation
Nausea or vomiting
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Korlym, Mifeprex
There may be other brand names for this medicine.