Mifepristone
Medically induced abortion, High Blood Sugar, Cushing Syndrome + 1 more
Treatment
6 FDA approvals
20 Active Studies for Mifepristone
Treatment for
Medically induced abortion
What is Mifepristone
Mifepristone
The Generic name of this drug
Treatment Summary
Mifepristone is a medication used to treat high levels of the hormone cortisol in people with Cushing Syndrome, and is also used to induce abortion. It works by blocking the effects of progesterone and cortisol, which can cause bleeding during the luteal phase and in early pregnancy. Mifepristone is available in two forms: Mifeprex (200mg) and Korlym (300mg). It is also being studied as a treatment for psychotic depression.
Korlym
is the brand name
Mifepristone Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Korlym
Mifepristone
2012
3
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Mifepristone, also called Korlym, is approved by the FDA for 6 uses including Hyperglycemia and Cushing's syndrome, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypercorticolism .
Hyperglycemia
Helps manage Hyperglycemia
Cushing's syndrome, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypercorticolism
Helps manage Cushing's syndrome, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypercorticolism
Medically induced abortion
Used to treat Medically induced abortion in combination with Misoprostol
High Blood Sugar
Helps manage Hyperglycemia
Therapeutic procedure
Used to treat Pregnancy termination therapy in combination with Misoprostol
Cushing Syndrome
Helps manage Cushing's syndrome, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypercorticolism
Effectiveness
How Mifepristone Affects Patients
Mifepristone is a synthetic steroid drug used to end pregnancies up to 49 days. It works by blocking the effects of progesterone, which helps the uterus to contract, and by blocking the activity of glucocorticoid and weakly blocking androgen activity. Doses of 10-25 mg/kg in rats, or 4.5 mg/kg in humans, can cause a rise in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels.
How Mifepristone works in the body
Mifepristone works by preventing progesterone from binding to its receptor sites. This stops the body from using progesterone, which can lead to the termination of pregnancy. In the treatment of Cushing's syndrome, mifepristone blocks cortisol from binding to its receptor, but does not reduce cortisol production. Instead, it reduces the effects of excess cortisol, such as high blood sugar levels.
When to interrupt dosage
The amount of Mifepristone is contingent upon the diagnosed disorder, such as Cushing Syndrome, High Blood Sugar and Medically induced abortion. The required dosage is stipulated in the table below, based on the method of administration (e.g. Oral or Tablet).
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Medically induced abortion
, 300.0 mg, 200.0 mg
, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Oral, Kit; Tablet, Kit; Tablet - Buccal; Oral, Buccal; Oral
High Blood Sugar
, 300.0 mg, 200.0 mg
, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Oral, Kit; Tablet, Kit; Tablet - Buccal; Oral, Buccal; Oral
Therapeutic procedure
, 300.0 mg, 200.0 mg
, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Oral, Kit; Tablet, Kit; Tablet - Buccal; Oral, Buccal; Oral
Cushing Syndrome
, 300.0 mg, 200.0 mg
, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Oral, Kit; Tablet, Kit; Tablet - Buccal; Oral, Buccal; Oral
Warnings
Mifepristone has five contraindications and should not be consumed for the conditions cited in the table below.
Mifepristone Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
Endometrial Hyperplasia
Do Not Combine
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
unexplained vaginal bleeding
Do Not Combine
Endometrial Hyperplasia
Do Not Combine
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Mifepristone.
Common Mifepristone Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Abemaciclib
Major
The serum concentration of Abemaciclib can be decreased when it is combined with Mifepristone.
Acalabrutinib
Major
The metabolism of Acalabrutinib can be increased when combined with Mifepristone.
Alectinib
Major
The metabolism of Alectinib can be increased when combined with Mifepristone.
Alpelisib
Major
The metabolism of Alpelisib can be increased when combined with Mifepristone.
Aminophylline
Major
The metabolism of Aminophylline can be increased when combined with Mifepristone.
Mifepristone Toxicity & Overdose Risk
Most women who take mifepristone report side effects, and many will experience more than one. The most common side effects from taking misoprostol on day three are heavier bleeding than a normal period, abdominal pain, cramps in the uterus, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Mifepristone Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Mifepristone?
33 active studies are examining the potential of Mifepristone in providing Therapeutic interventions, relieving Cushing Syndrome symptoms and inducing Medically-induced abortions.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Medically induced abortion
0 Actively Recruiting
High Blood Sugar
22 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 3, Phase 4
Therapeutic procedure
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 4
Cushing Syndrome
0 Actively Recruiting
Mifepristone Reviews: What are patients saying about Mifepristone?
5
Patient Review
8/30/2021
Mifepristone for Abortion
5
Patient Review
9/21/2012
Mifepristone for Abortion
4.7
Patient Review
3/1/2016
Mifepristone for Abortion
4.7
Patient Review
8/5/2016
Mifepristone for Abortion
4.7
Patient Review
4/20/2016
Mifepristone for Abortion
4.7
Patient Review
7/13/2016
Mifepristone for Abortion
4
Patient Review
5/23/2022
Mifepristone for Abortion
2
Patient Review
6/5/2022
Mifepristone for Abortion
Patient Q&A Section about mifepristone
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.
How long does it take for mifepristone take to work?
"The first day of taking mifepristone, some vaginal bleeding may occur. It is similar to a menstrual period. The bleeding usually starts 1 to 2 days after taking mifepristone, but some women may start bleeding earlier."
Answered by AI
What class of drug is mifepristone?
"Mifepristone is a drug thatblocks the effects of progesterone, a hormone that is needed for pregnancy to continue. It also blocks the effects of another hormone, cortisol, which is involved in the stress response."
Answered by AI
How does mifepristone stop pregnancy?
"Mifepristone (which used to be called RU486) is a pill that you swallow. It causes abortions by preventing the hormone progesterone from being able to support a pregnancy. Misoprostol is another pill that you swallow. It makes the cervix soft and the uterus contract so that the pregnancy is expelled."
Answered by AI
What happens after taking mifepristone only?
"First, you take a pill called mifepristone. This medicine stops the pregnancy from progressing. Some people feel nauseous or start bleeding after taking mifepristone, but this is not common. Your doctor or nurse may also give you antibiotics to take to prevent infection."
Answered by AI