Medication Guide: Mifeprex (mifepristone)

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MEDICATION GUIDE
Mifeprex (MIF-eh-prex)
(mifepristone)

This document is out-of-date.
For current information on Mifeprex (mifepristone, click on http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/mifepristone/default.htm
8/2005

Read this information carefully before taking Mifeprex and misoprostol. It will help you understand how the treatment works. This MEDICATION GUIDE does not take the place of talking with your health care provider (provider).

What is Mifeprex?

Mifeprex is used to end an early pregnancy. It blocks a hormone needed for your pregnancy to continue. It is not approved for ending later pregnancies. Early pregnancy means it is 49 days (7 weeks) or less since your last menstrual period began. When you use Mifeprex (Day 1), you also need to take another medicine misoprostol, 2 days after you take Mifeprex (Day 3), to end your pregnancy. But, about 5-8 out of 100 women taking Mifeprex will need a surgical procedure to end the pregnancy or to stop too much bleeding.

What is the most important information I should know about Mifeprex?

What symptoms should I be concerned with? Although cramping and bleeding are an expected part of ending a pregnancy, rarely, serious and potentially life-threatening bleeding, infections, or other problems can occur following a miscarriage, surgical abortion, medical abortion, or childbirth. Prompt medical attention is needed in these cases. If you have any questions, concerns, or problems, or if you are worried about any side effects or symptoms, you should contact your provider. Your provider’s telephone number is ________________________.

Be sure to contact your provider promptly if you have any of the following:

Heavy Bleeding. Contact your provider right away if you bleed enough to soak through two thick full-size sanitary pads per hour for two consecutive hours or if you are concerned about heavy bleeding. In about 1 out of 100 women, bleeding can be so heavy that it requires a surgical procedure (surgical abortion/D&C) to stop it.

Severe Abdominal Pain or Fever. In the days after treatment, if you have severe abdominal pain or a fever of 100.4°F or higher that lasts for more than 4 hours, you should contact your provider right away. Severe abdominal pain or fever may be a symptom of a serious infection or another problem (including an ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy outside the womb).

Take this MEDICATION GUIDE with you. When you visit an emergency room or a provider who did not give you your Mifeprex, you should give them your MEDICATION GUIDE so that they understand that you are having a medical abortion with Mifeprex.

What to do if you are still pregnant after Mifeprex with misoprostol treatment. If you are still pregnant, your provider will talk with you about the other choices you have, including a surgical procedure to end your pregnancy. There is a chance that there may be birth defects if the pregnancy is not ended.

Talk with your provider. Before you take Mifeprex, you should read this MEDICATION GUIDE and sign a statement (PATIENT AGREEMENT). You and your provider should discuss the benefits and risks of your using Mifeprex.

Who should not take Mifeprex?

Some women should not take Mifeprex. Do not take it if:

It has been more than 49 days (7 weeks) since your last menstrual period began.
You have an IUD. It must be taken out before you take Mifeprex.
Your provider has told you that you have a pregnancy outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy).
You have problems with your adrenal glands (chronic adrenal failure).
You take a medicine to thin your blood.
You have a bleeding problem.
You take certain steroid medicines.
You cannot return for the next 2 visits.
You cannot easily get emergency medical help in the 2 weeks after you take Mifeprex.
You are allergic to mifepristone, misoprostol, or medicines that contain misoprostol, such as Cytotec or Arthrotec.

Tell your provider about all your medical conditions to find out if you can take Mifeprex. Also, tell your provider if you smoke at least 10 cigarettes a day.

How should I take Mifeprex?

Day 1 at your provider’s office:
- Read this MEDICATION GUIDE.

- Discuss the benefits and risks of using Mifeprex to end your pregnancy.

- If you decide Mifeprex is right for you, sign the PATIENT AGREEMENT.

- After getting a physical exam, swallow 3 tablets of Mifeprex.
Day 3 at your provider’s office:

- If you are still pregnant, take 2 misoprostol tablets.

- Misoprostol may cause cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and other symptoms. Your provider may send you home with medicines for these symptoms.

About Day 14 at your provider’s office:

- This follow-up visit is very important. You must return to the provider about 14 days after you have taken Mifeprex to be sure you are well and that you are not pregnant.

- Your provider will check whether your pregnancy has completely ended. If it has not ended, there is a chance that there may be birth defects. If you are still pregnant, your provider will talk with you about the other choices you have, including a surgical procedure to end your pregnancy.

What should I avoid while taking Mifeprex and misoprostol?

Do not take any other prescription or non-prescription medicines (including herbal medicines or supplements) at any time during the treatment period without first asking your provider about them because they may interfere with the treatment. Ask your provider about what medicines you can take for pain.

If you are breastfeeding at the time you take Mifeprex and misoprostol, discuss with your provider if you should stop breastfeeding for a few days.

What are the possible and reasonably likely side effects of Mifeprex?

Cramping and bleeding are expected with this treatment. Usually, these symptoms mean that the treatment is working. But sometimes you can get cramping and bleeding and still be pregnant. This is why you must return to your provider on Day 3 and about Day 14. See “How should I take Mifeprex?” for more information on when to return to your provider. If you are not already bleeding after taking Mifeprex, you probably will begin to bleed once you take misoprostol, the medicine you take on Day 3. Bleeding or spotting can be expected for an average of 9–16 days and may last for up to 30 days. Your bleeding may be similar to, or greater than, a normal heavy period. You may see blood clots and tissue. This is an expected part of ending the pregnancy. Other common symptoms of treatment include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, back pain, and tiredness. These side effects lessen after Day 3 and are usually gone by Day 14. Your provider will tell you how to manage any pain or other side effects.

When should I begin birth control? You can become pregnant again right after your pregnancy ends. If you do not want to become pregnant again, start using birth control as soon as your pregnancy ends or before you start having sexual intercourse again. * * * Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a MEDICATION GUIDE. For more information, ask your provider for the information about Mifeprex that is written for health care professionals. Ask your provider if you have any questions. This MEDICATION GUIDE has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Rev:1 11/12/04

Date created: November 12, 2004