Mifepristone

Overview :

Mifepristone, sold commercially under the name Mifeprex, also is known as RU-486, the abortion pill, the early option pill for medical abortion. While it has been used for many years in Europe, mifepristone has only been available for use in the United States since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it in 2000 for use in abortion. More than 37,000 abortions were performed using the pill in the first six months of 2001.

This drug causes pregnancy to end by blocking the female hormone progesterone. The lack of progesterone makes the uterus shed its lining, which causes bleeding similar to a menstrual period. Three days after taking mifepristone, women are given a second drug, misprostol, to cause uterine contractions that expel the contents of the uterus. Most women are able remain in their own home while they pass the fetus.