Mifepristone, and also known by its developmental code name RU-486, is a drug typically used in combination with misoprostol to bring about a medical abortion during pregnancy.[7] This combination is 97% effective[8] during the first 63 days (9 weeks) of pregnancy, yet effective in the second trimester as well.[9][10] It is also used on its own to treat Cushing's Syndrome or for use as a low-dose emergency contraceptive.[11][12]
The most common adverse effects include abdominal pain, feeling tired, and vaginal bleeding.[7] Serious side effects may include heavy vaginal bleeding, bacterial infection, and, if pregnant, birth defects.[7] When used, appropriate follow-up care needs to be available.[7][13] Mifepristone is primarily an antiprogestogen.[7] It works by blocking the effects of progesterone, making both the cervix and uterine vessels dilate and causing uterine contraction.[7] Mifepristone also works, to a less extent, as an antiglucocorticoid and diminishes the effects of hypercortisolism.[14]
Mifepristone was developed in 1980 and came into use in France in 1987.[15] It became available in the United States in 2000, for medication abortion, and in 2010, for Cushing's syndrome.[16][9][11] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[17] Mifepristone was approved in Canada in January 2017.[18][19]
^"mifepristone". Mifepristone Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
^Cite error: The named reference Mifepristone Linepharma PI 2015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ abGoldman MB, Troisi R, Rexrode KM, eds. (2012). Women and Health (2nd ed.). Oxford: Academic Press. p. 236. ISBN978-0-12-384979-3. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017 – via Google Books.
^Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Corey EJ, Czakó B, Kürti L (2012). "Mifepristone". Molecules and Medicine. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN978-1-118-36173-3. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017 – via Google Books.
^World Health Organization (2023). The selection and use of essential medicines 2023: web annex A: World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 23rd list (2023). Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/371090. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2023.02.