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| Pronunciation |
|
 (mi
fe PRIS
tone) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Mifeprex™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Abortifacient; Antineoplastic Agent, Hormone Antagonist;
Antiprogestin |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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|
- If this medicine does not cause a complete abortion then surgery
may be needed. The surgery would be to complete the abortion. You need to know
who to call and what to do if you have any serious problems while taking this
medicine. Make sure that you understand this medicine, what it is for, how to
use it, and when to go back to the healthcare provider. You must agree to the
abortion and all the steps involved including surgery if needed. You must read
the medication guide and sign a patient agreement
form.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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|
- If you have an allergy to misoprostol, other prostaglandins,
mifepristone, or any other part of the medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Chronic adrenal failure,
porphyries, a bleeding problem, ectopic pregnancy.
- If you are unable to follow the directions your healthcare provider
gives you or you are unable to get to an emergency room if you needed one.
- If you have an intrauterine device (IUD) in you.
- If you are taking a blood thinner or are on long-term corticosteroids
such as prednisone.
- If you are more than 49 days or 7 weeks
pregnant.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine will end your pregnancy.
- You must make 3 visits to your healthcare provider. At the first visit
you will read a medication guide and sign an agreement form. You will be given
the medicine to take in the healthcare provider's office. You will return to
your healthcare provider in 2 days. You will be examined to determine if the
abortion is complete. If it is not, you will take a dose of another medicine
called misoprostol. You will come back in 14 days to make sure that the
pregnancy has ended. If it has not, then surgery may be needed to end your
pregnancy.
- If you decide to continue the pregnancy, the baby could have birth
defects.
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| How does it work? |
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- Mifepristone causes contractions which lead to ending your
pregnancy.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- It will be given to you in the healthcare provider's office.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit
juice.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- This medicine is given as a single dose in the healthcare provider's
office.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
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- If you have anemia (low red blood cell count) then tell healthcare
provider.
- If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, lung disease, kidney
disease, or diabetes tell healthcare provider.
- If you are a heavy smoker tell healthcare provider.
- Do not take St. John's wort with this medicine. It may decrease the
effect of the mifepristone.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- After ending pregnancy, use birth control that you can trust. If you
have questions, talk with healthcare provider.
- Do not use if you are breast-feeding. Throw away breast milk while
getting this treatment.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
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- Vaginal bleeding. There may be more bleeding than from a heavy
menstrual period.
- Belly pain and cramping.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Headache.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Bleeding. If it becomes very heavy call healthcare provider.
- Blood work if bleeding is heavy.
- Follow up with healthcare provider 2 days and 14 days after
mifepristone is given.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- Heavy bleeding.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Much discomfort.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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