Mifepristone: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What medicine is Mifepristone?

What is Mifepristone for?

Mifepristone, also known as RU 486, is a drug commonly used for abortion. This drug works to inhibit progesterone in the body.

Progesterone itself is a female sex hormone produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. This hormone is responsible for maintaining the pregnancy and the development of the embryo in the uterus. By taking this medicine, the pregnancy process will stop.

This medication is used early in pregnancy up to week 10 (about 70 days after the first day of your last menstrual period). Usually used in conjunction with another drug called misoprostol.

Mifepristone should not be used if you are having a pregnancy outside the womb (ectopic pregnancy). The reason is, this drug will not cause the fetus to shed, it will cause the uterus to rupture and cause very serious bleeding.

Due to strong drugs, this drug should not be used carelessly. Ideally, the use of this drug should be under close supervision by a doctor. This drug is not sold freely in pharmacies or drug stores.

How is Mifepristone used?

Mifepristone is only available from doctors and is not available at pharmacies or drug stores. Before using this medicine, you need to sign a patient agreement form first.

Read and understand carefully every word written on the form. Tell your doctor if you do not understand how to use this medication or are unable to follow directions.

Your doctor will probably do an ultrasound to make sure you are less than 7 weeks pregnant and not outside the uterus (ectopic). If all the requirements are met, then your doctor can prescribe this drug to you.

Mifepristone is taken in a single dose on the first day. Within 24 to 48 hours thereafter, you will be asked to return to see your doctor. The doctor will give you a single dose of misoprostol.

After taking the drug, vaginal bleeding, cramping, nausea, and diarrhea will usually occur and will last 2 to 24 hours. The patches may also persist for 9 to 16 days or more.

It's important that you return to see your doctor 14 days after taking mifepristone, to follow up on tests even if you don't have any problems.

If the abortion is unsuccessful or incomplete, or there is a serious medical problem, surgery is likely to be performed. If treatment fails and the pregnancy continues until delivery, there is a risk of birth defects.

It is important to understand that this drug should not be used alone. Make sure you consult a doctor first before using it. Read the medication instructions given by your doctor or printed on the package before starting to use this medicine.

If necessary, reread it until you understand. However, if you don't understand, don't hesitate to ask the doctor directly for more detailed information.

How is Mifepristone stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature. Keep away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Mifepristone dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the Mifepristone dosage for adults?

The dosage for each person may be different. The dosage of drugs is usually adjusted according to the patient's age, overall health condition, and their response to treatment.

Be sure to always consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking any type of medication. This is to ensure that you are taking the drug according to the recommended dosage.

What is the Mifepristone dosage for children?

The dosage for children has not been determined. Consult your doctor for more information.

In what dosage is Mifepristone available?

This drug is available in tablet form with a strength of 200 mg and 300 mg

Mifepristone side effects

What are the side effects of Mifepristone?

The most common and frequently complained of side effects of Mifepristone include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• The body feels weak and weak
• Mild headaches
• Dizzy
• Stomach cramps
• Vaginal bleeding
• Sleepy
• Decreased appetite
• Back pain

Bleeding and spotting can last up to 30 days and may be much heavier than a normal menstrual period. In some cases, this bleeding needs to be stopped surgically.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience heavy bleeding, even requiring you to change pads every hour.

Very serious allergic reactions to this drug are rare. However, seek medical attention immediately if you notice or experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• Rash
• Itching skin
• Swelling, especially on the face, tongue and throat
• Severe dizziness
• Difficulty breathing

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns regarding side effects, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Mifepristone Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Mifepristone?

Before using mifepristone, there are a number of things you need to know and do, including:

• Call your doctor if you are allergic to mifepristone, other drugs, or any of the ingredients in this medication tablet. Ask your pharmacist or check the ingredients section.
• Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking or will regularly take. These include prescription and non-prescription drugs.
• Tell your doctor about any herbal products you use, especially St. John's Wort
• Tell your doctor if you have had an organ transplant or if you have ever had thyroid disease.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had unexplained vaginal bleeding, endometrial hyperplasia (overgrowth of the uterine lining), or endometrial cancer.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had heart failure, a prolonged QT interval (a rare heart problem that can cause an irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death).
• Tell your doctor if the potassium level in your blood is low.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have a history of adrenal insufficiency, bleeding disorders, and liver and kidney function problems.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

One of the most common side effects of this drug is stomach cramps and bleeding. If these side effects continue to get worse, see a doctor immediately. In essence, don't hesitate to check with your doctor every time you feel something strange or unusual about your own body.

While using this medicine, your doctor may ask you to undergo periodic health checks. This is done to help doctors see the effectiveness of the treatment you are taking.

In addition, be sure to follow all doctor's advice and / or therapist's instructions. Your doctor may need to change your medication dose or monitor you carefully to prevent certain side effects.

Is Mifepristone safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category X according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = Maybe risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

It is not yet known whether mifepristone passes into breast milk or whether this drug could harm the baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Mifepristone Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Mifepristone?

Drug interactions can change how medications work or increase the risk of serious side effects. It is likely that this article does not list all drug interactions.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription or nonprescription medicines and herbal products) and tell your doctor and pharmacist. Do not take, stop, or change the dose of any medication you are taking without your doctor's permission.

A number of drugs that have the potential to cause negative interactions with this drug include:

• Corticosteroids such as betamethasone (Celestone), budesonide (Entocort), cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron, DexPak, Dexasone, others), fludrocortisone (Floriner), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), methylprednisolone (Medrol, Meprolone) , prednisolone (Prelone, others), prednisone (Deltasone, Meticorten, Sterapred, others), and triamcinolone (Aristocort, Azmacort);
• Medicines that block the immune system such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf)
• Dihydroergotamine (DHE 45, Migranal)
• Ergotamine (Ergomar, at Cafergot, at Migergot)
• Fentanyl (Duragesic)
• Lovastatin (Mevacor)
• pimozide (Orap)
• Quinidine (Quinidex)
• Simvastatin (Zocor)
• Anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• Antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend)
• Aspirin and other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
• Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
• Conivaptan (Vaprisol)
• Diltiazem (Cardizem)
• Erythromycin (EES, E-Mycin, Erythrocin)
• Fluvastatin (Lescol)
• Hormonal contraceptives such as birth control pills, implants, patches, rings, or injections
• Medicines for hepatitis C such as boceprevir (Victrelis) and telaprevir (Incivek)
• Medicines for HIV or AIDS such as amprenavir (Agenerase), atazanavir (Reyataz), efavirenz, fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir and a combination of ritonavir (Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (ritonavir), and saquinavir (Fortovase) , Invirase)
• Medicines for seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Drugs for tuberculosis such as rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater) and rifapentine (Priftin)
• Nefazodone (Serzone)
• Repaglinide (Prandin)
• Telitromycin (Ketek
• Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, others).

There may be other drugs that can interact with mifepristone. So, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you use, even those not on this list. Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or monitor you carefully to prevent side effects.

Can food or alcohol interact with Mifepristone?

Certain medications should not be used at or around the time of eating foods or eating certain types of food because interactions can occur.

Using alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco. For example:

• Grapefruit juice

What health conditions may interact with Mifepristone?

The presence of other medical problems can affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Ectopic pregnancy (for example, a pregnancy that develops in the fallopian tube outside the uterus)
• Endometrial hyperplasia cancer
• Undiagnosed low abdominal mass
• Porphyria (enzyme problem)
• Adrenal problems
• Autoimmune disease
• Bleeding problems
• Diabetes
• Heart failure
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart rhythm problems
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Lung disease
• Acute anemia
• Blood is difficult to clot
• Poor blood circulation
• Hypokalemia
• Kidney illness
• Liver disease

Mifepristone overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department. Bring a medicine box, container, or label with you when you go to the hospital to help the doctor with any necessary information.

When someone has an overdose, various symptoms that may arise are:

• Too low blood pressure (hypotension) which makes the head dizzy
• Fainting
• Fast and irregular heartbeat
• Slower than normal heart rate

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your dosing schedule. Do not use extra doses to make up for a missed dose.

If you continue to miss doses, consider setting an alarm or asking a family member to remind you.

Please consult with your doctor to discuss changes in your dosing schedule or a new schedule to make up for a missed dose, if you have missed too many doses recently.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.