Active Ingredient | Mifepristone |
Type | Abortion |
How It Works
RU486 falls under the class of drugs known as anti-progestational steroids. It works by blocking the effects of the female hormone progesterone and causing uterine contractions. Progesterone is an essential female sex hormone that plays a crucial role in the menstrual cycle and maintenance of pregnancy. It helps thicken the lining of the uterus to prepare for a fertilized egg. RU-486 or Mifepristone terminates early pregnancy by blocking the activity of progesterone at the progesterone receptors.
For people suffering from Cushing’s syndrome, it reduces blood glucose levels by blocking the activity of Cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone and a major natural glucocorticoid in the human body. It affects many bodily functions such as controlling blood sugar levels, regulating metabolism, reducing inflammation, and assisting with memory formulation.
Uses
RU-486 is prescribed for the treatment of the following conditions:
- Abortion – used in combination with Misoprostol to terminate an early pregnancy (not more than 9 weeks) in women.
- Cushing’s Syndrome – is a condition that occurs when the body makes too much Cortisol resulting in elevated blood sugar levels.
Dosage
RU-486 (Mifepristone) tablet is used in combination with Misoprostol to bring about an early abortion in women. A single pill is intended to be taken orally and given by the doctor at the time of your clinical visit. 4 tablets of Misoprostol are recommended to be taken within the next 24-48 hours to cause an abortion.
Mifepristone comes in the form of a 200 mg tablet. For the treatment of Cushing’s syndrome, a starting dose of 300 mg per day is recommended. The dosage may be increased within 2-4 weeks of the treatment after a proper examination by the doctor. Follow your doctor’s prescription carefully and avoid consuming an overdose of the drug.
Missed Dosage: If you are taking this medication for the termination of pregnancy, missing a dose is not possible. On the other hand, if you take this medication to treat Cushing’s syndrome, take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it’s time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take an overdose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose: An overdose of the drug can lead to serious side effects. If an overdose is suspected, contact your doctor immediately.
Important Advisory
Before you take RU-486, tell your doctor:
- If it has been more than 10 weeks since your last menstrual period.
- If you have an IUD in place.
- If you have a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia.
- If you have a condition for which you take blood thinners.
- If you have an ectopic pregnancy.
- If you have kidney or liver diseases.
- If you have a history of stroke, heart attack, or congestive heart failure.
- If you suffer from problems such as diabetes, hypertension, angina, etc.
- If you are allergic to prostaglandins.
- If you have endometrial hyperplasia.
- If you have endometrial cancer.
- If you have unusual vaginal bleeding.
Side Effects
Common side-effects of RU-486 (Mifepristone) include:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Cramps
- Infections
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Difficult or painful urination
- Fever, chills, or weakness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Uterine cramping
- Abdominal pain
- Pain in arms and legs
- Pelvic pain
- Fatigue
If any of these side effects persist for long, contact your doctor immediately.
Drug Interactions
Certain drugs are known to interact with RU-486 (Mifepristone) and affect the way it works. If you take any herbal, OTC, recreational, or any other form of drugs, let your doctor know about them.
- Cyclosporine
- Fentanyl
- Blood thinners such as warfarin
- Dexamethasone
- Antibiotics such as erythromycin
- Oral antifungals such as ketoconazole
- Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine
- Carbamazepine
- Atorvastatin
- Pimozide
- Ergotamine
- HIV Protease inhibitors such as indinavir and ritonavir
- Phenytoin
- Rifampin
- St. John’s Wort
Interaction with alcohol
Consumption of alcohol should be avoided at all costs. Alcohol can deteriorate your health and lead to serious side effects.
Interaction with grapefruit juice
Grapefruit juice can interact with this medication and lead to various side effects. It can also alter the levels of this medicine in the blood. Avoid consuming grapefruit juice along with this medicine.
Storage Instructions
RU-486 tablets should be stored properly and safely in their original packaging.
- Keep the tablets away from direct heat, moisture, and sunlight.
- Keep the tablets out of reach of children.
- Once the pack is opened, store the remaining pills in an airtight container.
- Do not consume the medicine past its expiration date.
Substitutes Available
Zydus Cadila
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is RU-486 and how does it work?
Ans. RU-486 or Mifepristone is an abortion pill that is used for the termination of first-trimester pregnancy (no more than 9 weeks). It is used in combination with Misoprostol to bring about an abortion. It works by blocking the activity of the female hormone progesterone and causing uterine contractions.
How to use the RU486 abortion pill?
Ans. RU 486, Mifepristone, or the abortion pill is usually taken at the doctor’s clinic. A single tablet of RU 486 or Mifepristone 200 mg is given to you by the doctor which is taken orally as soon as you choose to go with a medical abortion. RU 486 works by blocking the effects of progesterone and stops the pregnancy from growing.
When can RU486 be taken?
RU 486 should be taken as soon as the pregnancy is diagnosed and you choose to have a medical abortion. RU 486 along with Misoprostol helps to terminate the first-trimester pregnancy.
How effective is RU-486?
Ans. RU-486 is an effective abortion pill that terminates a pregnancy in women. It is found to be 93-98% effective when taken along with Misoprostol.
Is RU-486 the same as Plan B?
Ans. RU-486 is an abortion pill whereas Plan B is an emergency contraceptive. RU-486 is used to bring about an abortion in women who are no more than 9 weeks pregnant. On the other hand, Plan B (also known as the morning-after pill) is an emergency contraceptive that is used to stop a pregnancy before it starts.
Can RU486 be reversed?
Yes! RU486 can be reversed. While the treatment outcome isn’t guaranteed, it should be started within 48 hours of taking RU486. The effects of RU486 can be reversed by taking multiple doses of progesterone to allow the pregnancy to continue. This form of treatment, if given in a timely manner can potentially save the life of an unborn child.
Can RU486 cause infertility?
Having a medical abortion does not usually cause any complications with future pregnancies. However, there’s a small risk to your fertility and future pregnancies if a womb infection develops during the process. The womb infection spreads to the fallopian tubes and ovaries which increases the risk of infertility or an ectopic pregnancy. The good news is that doctors prescribe an antibiotic before an abortion to reduce the risk of infection.
What does RU486 or Mifepristone do to the baby?
Mifepristone or RU486 works by blocking the effects of progesterone, and therefore, it causes fetal death (or death of the baby).
When does the bleeding start after taking Mifepristone?
Most women bleed within the first 48 hours of consuming Mifepristone. The flow is similar to that of a menstrual period. The bleeding can be managed with the help of sanitary pads.
When does the bleeding stop after taking Mifepristone?
Bleeding usually stops within 12 hours after it starts when Mifepristone has been taken. A small number of women will have a complete abortion after taking Mifepristone alone.
Can Mifepristone alone terminate a pregnancy?
Mifepristone (or RU486) alone has been known to terminate a pregnancy in more than 80% of the cases.
A study conducted on 150 women showed tremendous results with 131 women having a complete abortion after taking 600 mg of Mifepristone. With a success rate of 87.3%, it was evaluated that Mifepristone alone can terminate an early pregnancy, and is a good alternative to surgical abortion.
What happens if you take Mifepristone without pregnancy?
Even if you aren’t pregnant, taking Mifepristone won’t affect your body or cause any complications for future pregnancies. Mifepristone is not just used to terminate a pregnancy but treat Cushing’s syndrome as well. Well, the bad news is that you still might experience the side-effects that come along with the medication.
Is Mifepristone safe during breastfeeding?
Yes! Mifepristone is completely safe during breastfeeding. A woman can safely take Mifepristone while she’s breastfeeding her existing child.
A study was conducted on 12 lactating women who underwent a medical abortion. Out of 12 women, 2 women took a single dose of Mifepristone 200 mg. It was evaluated that Mifepristone was undetectable in breastmilk at all times, and therefore, it was completely safe for the baby.
Mifepristone vs Misoprostol – should they be taken together or can Misoprostol alone terminate a pregnancy?
The combination of Mifepristone and Misoprostol has been known to be significantly more effective than Misoprostol alone for the termination of pregnancy.
A study was conducted on 400 women – 198 out of which were given only Misoprostol while the remaining 202 were given a combination of Mifepristone and Misoprostol. The results were evaluated. It was observed that Mifepristone when taken in combination with Misoprostol had a success rate of 96.5%. On the other hand, women who were exposed to only Misoprostol had a success rate of 76.2%. It was observed that the combination of mifepristone and misoprostol is more effective than misoprostol alone for early medical abortion.
RU486 and alcohol – can they be taken together?
Taking alcohol along with RU486 can increase the risk of side effects such as headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, cramping, fatigue, nausea, hypokalemia, swelling, and high blood pressure. Therefore, it is inadvisable to take any illicit drugs or alcohol for the next 3-4 days after taking the abortion pill.
RU486 vs Surgical abortion – which is better?
Both RU486 (medical abortion) and surgical abortion are safe and excellent methods for the termination of pregnancy. Where one woman prefers to get a surgical abortion done so that she can resume her day-to-day activities after 24 hours, other women prefer going with a medical abortion as it can be performed with their own comfortable timing and location. While medical abortion isn’t that expensive, surgical abortion can be a bit heavy on the pocket since it involves a medical professional performing an in-clinic abortion. Moreover, RU486 (medical abortion) is performed only when the pregnancy is in its first trimester. On the other hand, surgical abortion can be performed even if the pregnancy is in its second trimester.
Where can you buy RU486?
You can buy RU486 easily from our website for $125 only. There are various online pharmacies selling the same drug at either higher or a lower price but it all comes down to the fact – whether you can trust the brand or not. Has gained the trust of its customers and has been voted as one of the best online healthcare platforms in the US
admin –
I was 5 weeks pregnant and chose to terminate it. Took a single pill of RU-486 and was asked to take Cytotec 200 mcg 24 hours later to induce. Had a heating pad on to reduce the pain. Everything went well and I’m no more pregnant.