Mifeprex FAQs

A1: No.  Mifeprex is used to end an early pregnancy.  Early pregnancy means it is 70 days (10 weeks) or less since your last menstrual period. It is not indicated for use to prevent pregnancy.  Emergency contraception drugs and other forms of contraception are indicated to prevent pregnancy.

For more information on Mifeprex, including efficacy and what to expect, please review the Medication Guide.

A2: Mifeprex is the only FDA-approved medication for ending early pregnancy.  Early pregnancy means it is 70 days (10 weeks) or less since your last menstrual period began.

For more information on Mifeprex, including efficacy and what to expect, please review the Medication Guide (PDF).

A3: No.  Mifeprex is 93-98% effective for safely ending early pregnancy (2-7% of women will need a surgical procedure to end the pregnancy or stop heavy bleeding).

For more information on Mifeprex, including efficacy and what to expect, please review the Medication Guide (PDF).

A4: No.  Mifeprex is only available to women in the United States at clinics, medical offices and hospitals. It is not available through retail pharmacies.  To locate a provider in your area, click here.

A5: In the years since FDA approval of Mifeprex, more than 3 million women in the United States have chosen Mifeprex for ending early pregnancy.

A6: RU-486 was an identifier that was used in Europe by the company developing mifepristone.  In the United States, Mifeprex is the brand name and mifepristone is the generic name.

A7: In general, if surgical abortions are covered, medication abortions with Mifeprex are generally also covered.  For information on reimbursement click here , for information on state payer policies for your state, click here .

Everyone has different coverage, so it is important that you check directly with your insurance company to find out if Mifeprex is covered. You will be responsible for any copayments or deductibles that normally apply under your health insurance policy. There is usually a number on the back of your insurance card that you can call to check on your benefits. Your doctor or clinic might also be able to help you determine what level of reimbursement your policy provides.

A8: Some providers charge a sliding scale for their services, depending on your ability to pay. To locate a provider in your area you may wish to contact:

• National Abortion Federation (NAF), prochoice.org, or 1-800-772-9100
• Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), www.plannedparenthood.org, or 1-800-230-PLAN
• Abortion Care Network (ACN), abortioncarenetwork.org, 1-202-419-1444.

If you contact a provider through NAF, PPFA or ACN ask them if they have a sliding scale based on ability to pay. There is also an organization called the National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF), which raises funds for women who cannot afford abortions. Their web site is https://fundabortionnow.org/.

Additional resources for locating a healthcare provider can be found in the Patient Resources section of our site.

A9: Yes. Cramping and vaginal bleeding are an expected part of ending a pregnancy with Mifeprex.  Usually, these symptoms mean that the treatment is working. But sometimes you can get cramping and bleeding and still be pregnant. This is why you must follow-up with your healthcare provider approximately 7 to 14 days after taking Mifeprex. Click here to learn more about the Follow-Up Assessment (link to “how to take Mifeprex” section).

If you are not already bleeding after taking Mifeprex, you probably will begin to bleed once you take misoprostol, the medicine you take 24 to 48 hours after Mifeprex. Bleeding or spotting can be expected for an average of 9 to16 days and may last for up to 30 days. Your bleeding may be similar to, or greater than, a normal heavy period. You may see blood clots and tissue. This is an expected part of passing the pregnancy.

Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about any side effects that bother you or do not go away. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

A10: There are no age restrictions in the FDA approved prescribing information for women who wish to use Mifeprex.  However, many states have parental consent laws for minors, which apply to all abortions, including Mifeprex. For resources on abortion state laws, you may wish to visit State Law Resources.

A11: You can become pregnant again right after your pregnancy ends.  If you do not want to become pregnant again, start using birth control as soon as your pregnancy ends or before you start having sexual intercourse again.

A12: The Medication Guide(PDF) for Mifeprex helps you to understand the medication and gives you the most important information you should know about Mifeprex.  Read the Medication Guide carefully before taking Mifeprex and discuss any questions you might have with your healthcare provider.  Take your Medication Guide with you if you go to an emergency room or provider other than the one who prescribed your Mifeprex, so they know you are undergoing a medical abortion with Mifeprex.

The Medication Guide is available in multiple languages and can be viewed by clicking here.

A13: No.  Mifeprex should not be used in cases of confirmed or suspected ectopic pregnancy, as it is not effective for terminating those pregnancies.

To read more about the Mifeprex regimen, including who should not take Mifeprex, please read the Medication Guide (PDF).

A14: Some women should not take Mifeprex. Do not take Mifeprex if you:

• Have a pregnancy that is more than 70 days (10 weeks). Your healthcare provider may do a clinical examination, an ultrasound examination, or other testing to determine how far along you are in pregnancy.
• Are using an IUD (intrauterine device or system). It must be taken out before you take Mifeprex.
• Have been told by your healthcare provider that you have a pregnancy outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy).
• Have problems with your adrenal glands (chronic adrenal failure).
• Take a medicine to thin your blood.
• Have a bleeding problem.
• Have porphyria.
• Take certain steroid medicines.
• Are allergic to mifepristone, misoprostol, or medicines that contain misoprostol, such as Cytotec or Arthrotec.

Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure about all your medical conditions before taking this medicine to find out if you can take Mifeprex.

A15: Mifeprex can pass into your breast milk. The effect of the Mifeprex and misoprostol regimen on the breastfed infant or on milk production is unknown. If you are breastfeeding, be sure to let your healthcare provider know before taking Mifeprex. The developmental and health benefits of breast-feeding should be considered along with any potential adverse effects on the breast-fed child from Mifeprex in a regimen with misoprostol.