Ends a pregnancy that is less than 7 weeks along (49 days or less since the start of your last menstrual period)
Brand Names:
Mifeprex
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to mifepristone, misoprostol, or any type of prostaglandin. You should not receive mifepristone if you have a tubal (ectopic) pregnancy, problems with your adrenal gland, bleeding disorders, or porphyria, or if you take blood thinners (Coumadin®) or have used steroids for a long time
Uses:
Tablet
This medicine is given only by your doctor. You will not be allowed to take it at home. The entire treatment requires three visits to your doctor.
Before receiving the treatment, you will be asked to read a medication guide and sign a patient agreement form. Be sure you understand all the instructions before you sign the agreement and receive the medicine.
At the first visit, you will be given three mifepristone tablets. Two days later at the second visit, you will be given two 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 (sonogram).
You should not have an IUD in your uterus when you receive this medicine.
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.
If a dose is missed:
It is very important to take misoprostol within 2 days after taking mifepristone. You will receive misoprostol at your second visit to the doctor. Do not fail to keep this appointment.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using ketoconazole (Nizoral®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), erythromycin, rifampin (Rifadin®), dexamethasone (Decadron®), St. John's Wort, or medicine for seizures (such as Donnatal®, Dilantin®, Tegretol®).
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are receiving this treatment.
Warnings:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, if you have anemia, or if you smoke.
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 the 2-week period after you receive this medicine.
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.
After treatment, it is possible for you to get pregnant again, even before you have your next period. Start using an effective form of birth control right away after your pregnancy has been ended with mifepristone.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Heavy bleeding or severe cramping
Fainting or unusual weakness
Cramps or stomach pain (may be worse after you receive misoprostol at the second visit)
