RU486 (Mifepristone)

The compound mifepristone, present in RU486, is known to block the progesterone receptors in the body. Progesterone is the hormone that causes the uterine lining to develop and thicken and get ready for pregnancy. However, this is stopped by blocking progesterone receptors. So, RU486 simply causes the shedding of the uterine lining or the wall of the uterus. As a result, a pregnancy cannot continue any longer since the ovum (egg) now has no surface to stay attached to and get its shelter and nutrition. The misoprostol then causes contractions in the wall of the uterus, which allows it to be emptied of the egg before it attaches in an unlikely place.

However, it is also suggested that the abortion pill be taken only after a medical professional advises so.

Suitable for:

RU486 has been approved for use by women that are up to 9 weeks pregnant. Being 9 weeks pregnant is the same as having conceived 5 weeks before the given time, or simply as missing a menstrual period for 49 days. Using the medication after that period is considered harmful and has caused issues in a large number of women, and so it is not approved at most of the places and is often considered illegal.

Dosage and Effects

Mifepristone is usually taken with misoprostol because that increases the chances of abortion to around 95%. If taken alone, however, it has been as effective in only about 64-85% cases. Once your doctor has given it a go, take the abortion pill as advised and there’s a maximum chance that your pregnancy will be terminated in four to five hours without any need for surgery. In some cases, it may also take a while longer, but there’s a good guarantee of abortion based on how you took the medicine.

Side-effects

Some side effects are normally expected as a result of the use of RU486, including:

• Cramps
• Pain in the stomach (lower abdomen)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Unusual bleeding (large clots can be found in the blood)
• Mild fever or chills

In the case that any of these effects persist for more time than suggested by your doctor, get in touch with them soon.

Warnings

While this method is certainly not as intrusive and painful as surgical abortion, it doesn’t guarantee long-term effects. That is to say, one can get pregnant again soon after using RU486. So, the use of any form of back-up contraception is strictly advised to avoid pregnancy. Also, using the drug too often can cause hormonal defects or imbalance, which might even prove fatal.

There’s a good chance that mifepristone won’t prove to be very beneficial if you have diabetes, anemia, any liver or kidney problems, and/or Rh-negative blood. People who are overweight have also found difficulties with the medication.

If RU486 doesn’t seem to help end the pregnancy, it is probable that there will be some birth defects.

The best way to not get caught up in any of this is to follow all the safety precautions and to keep in touch with your doctor.

Storage Instructions

Storage of the abortion pill isn’t much of a concern usually, but if you store it, make sure of a good keeping, so it provides results.

• Store the drug in the same packaging as it came to you in.
• Any drug that we use fails in the presence of much light and/or much moisture (because of various chemicals reactions); so, keep it away from too much or an unnecessary amount of light.
• Also, there is on the packet a temperature range mentioned for the product, keep it accordingly.
• Keep it out of the reach of your children.
• Miss no points as labeled on the packaging for overall safety.

FAQs

What is RU486 used for?

RU486, or as its other name (the “abortion pill”) suggests, is used to induce the termination of pregnancy in otherwise healthy females who are up to 9 weeks pregnant without the surgical pain and hassle.

What are the ingredients in the abortion pill?

The pills contain mifepristone and the inactive ingredients povidone, colloidal silica anhydrous, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, and corn starch.

What is the advised dose for RU486 tablets?

In most cases, abortion happens within four or five hours of taking the pill. In some cases, it may take a while, but no longer than a couple of days is usually expected.

Can RU486 be taken with other medications?

Mifepristone, the chemical present in RU486 is said to be the most effective when taken with misoprostol, thereby increasing the chances of pregnancy termination to around 92-96%. On the other hand, when taken alone, misoprostol works only about 64-85% of the time. So, it’s rather suggested that one take the medicine with another.

How to take RU486 (mifepristone) and misoprostol?

Both of these are tablets and so are taken orally. Take mifepristone by mouth as a single dose, usually, or as your doctor recommends. After you’ve taken mifepristone, in 24 to 48 hours or as your doctor directs, take misoprostol also by mouth and as a single dose.

References

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html

https://www.medicinenet.com/mifepristone-oral/article.htm#what_is_mifepristone_and_how_does_it_work_mechanism_of_action

https://www.cardiosmart.org/healthwise/tw12/91/tw1291

https://reference.medscape.com/drug/mifeprex-korlym-mifepristone-343130

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00834