Mifeprex Pills

What is mifepristone (Mifeprex)?

Mifeprex blocks the actions of a hormone needed to maintain a pregnancy.

Mifeprex is used to end an early pregnancy that is not further along than 70 days (10 weeks) after the first day of your last menstrual period. Mifeprex is used together with another medicine called misoprostol (Cytotec).

Mifeprex is available only from a certified healthcare provider under a special program. You must be registered in the program and understand the risks of taking Mifeprex.

MIFEPREX MUST NOT BE USED IN AN ATTEMPT TO END PREGNANCY BEYOND 10 WEEKS.

Do not use Mifeprex or misoprostol if you do not intend to end your pregnancy.

Call your doctor right away if you have heavy vaginal bleeding or a general ill feeling after taking this medicine.

Seek emergency medical help if you still have any of the following symptoms more than 24 hours after taking Mifeprex or misoprostol: fever, severe stomach pain, heavy or prolonged vaginal bleeding, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or feeling like you might pass out.

How is Mifeprex given?

Before receiving this medicine, you must read a Mifeprex Medication Guide. Then, you must sign a Patient Agreement form stating that you understand the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

Complete treatment to end the pregnancy will require at least 2 visits to your doctor.

• At the first visit (Day 1) you will be given a Mifeprex tablet. You will also be given or prescribed 4 misoprostol tablets. If you receive only a prescription for misoprostol, be sure to get the prescription filled right away so you will be ready to take the medicine on schedule.

• In 24 to 48 hours, you will take 4 misoprostol tablets at one time. For treatment to be effective, you must take misoprostol 24 to 48 hours after you took Mifeprex.

• Misoprostol can cause cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and other side effects. Your doctor may give you medicine to treat or prevent these side effects.

• Your uterus should begin to pass the pregnancy within 2 to 24 hours after taking misoprostol. Be sure you are in a place where you will be ready for this to happen. You will likely have fairly heavy vaginal bleeding while your uterus is passing the pregnancy.

• At the second visit (Day 7 to 14 after you took Mifeprex), your doctor will check your uterus to make sure the pregnancy has completely ended.

• If your body has not completely passed the pregnancy, you may be given another dose of misoprostol. If you take a second dose of misoprostol, you should have a follow-up visit 7 days later.

Cramping and bleeding are signs that this medicine is working properly. But sometimes you can have cramping and bleeding and still be pregnant. Only your doctor can confirm whether your pregnancy has completely ended. Using a home pregnancy test kit is not effective in confirming that your uterus has been completely cleared of the pregnancy. Do not miss any of your follow-up visits.

You may need surgery to end the pregnancy completely. Carrying a pregnancy to term after taking Mifeprex or misoprostol may cause birth defects or death of the baby. Talk with your doctor about your treatment options.

Bleeding and spotting are normal side effects of Mifeprex and misoprostol. It is possible to continue bleeding for up to 30 days. Bleeding may be heavier than a normal heavy period, and you may also pass blood clots and tissue.