What is mifepristone and how is it used to end an early pregnancy?
Mifepristone (Mifeprex / RU-486) is an FDA-approved pill that blocks progesterone to end an early pregnancy. Learn how it works, what to expect, side effects, and how to get it prescribed online. Medically reviewed.
Mifepristone, also known as Mifeprex or RU-486, is an FDA-approved medication commonly used to safely end early pregnancies. It's typically taken with misoprostol to complete a medication abortion—a non-invasive alternative to in-clinic procedures. The two-pill regimen is up to 98% effective for pregnancies up to 10 weeks of gestation, according to FDA prescribing data for mifepristone.Mifepristone has been used by millions of people in the U.S. for over two decades, with a strong safety record and widespread medical support. In this guide, we break down how it works, what to expect, and how to access it discreetly through Trust Abortion Pills
How mifepristone works
Mifepristone is an oral medication used to induce abortion. Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone, which is a hormone that is needed to continue a pregnancy. Blocking progesterone causes the pregnancy to stop growing. The second medication used for medication abortion treatment, misoprostol, is taken 1-2 days after mifepristone. Misoprostol causes cramping and bleeding to empty the uterus and complete the abortion.
What is mifepristone used for?
Mifepristone is used in medication abortion to end pregnancies up to 10 weeks gestational age. By blocking the hormone progesterone, mifepristone ends the pregnancy. Mifepristone, along with misoprostol, is also used to medically manage miscarriages, especially in cases of missed miscarriage where a developing pregnancy has no electrical activity but there’s been no bleeding or cramping.
What are the negative effects of mifepristone?
Mifepristone may cause side effects like chills, dizziness, headache, and stomach cramps. More severe side effects requiring medical attention include allergic reactions, heavy vaginal bleeding, a high fever, stomach pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
What is a medication abortion?
A medication abortion is a medical treatment that generally involves taking two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol, to stop a pregnancy from growing and empty theuterus, similar to an early miscarriage. Medication abortion is typically performed before 10 weeks in gestational age, and often feels like a heavy, crampy period.
Many people choose medication abortion over a procedural option because they prefer to have their abortion at home or in another comfortable setting, sometimes without a visit to a clinic. Medication abortion feels more natural than the procedural option for some people, as well. The reason why people choose which option is best for them is a very personal choice that only they can make.
