Frequently Asked Questions

Answers you need to make an informed decision about Mifeprex*.

What is Mifeprex?
How does Mifeprex work?
When is Mifeprex appropriate?
Who should not take Mifeprex?
How effective is Mifeprex?
What are the advantages of Mifeprex?
What important information should I know about Mifeprex?
What are the side effects?
How is Mifeprex provided?
What experience has there been with Mifeprex?
What kind of follow-up care is necessary?
I recently used the Mifeprex regimen to end my pregnancy. I took a pregnancy test and the results are positive. Am I still pregnant?
When can I expect to get my next period after taking Mifeprex?
How soon can I become pregnant after using Mifeprex?
Can I breastfeed after taking Mifeprex?
Must I take the misoprostol pills if I am already experiencing bleeding and cramping?
What should I avoid while taking Mifeprex and misoprostol?
Is there an age restriction for Mifeprex?
How much does Mifeprex cost?
Is Mifeprex covered by insurance?
What if I cannot afford to pay for Mifeprex?
Is Mifeprex available through the internet?

Q 1: What is Mifeprex?

A:

Mifeprex is a pill that blocks a hormone necessary to sustain pregnancy. When followed by another medicine, misoprostol, Mifeprex ends the pregnancy. The FDA-approved regimen includes use of Mifeprex for ending early pregnancy up to 49 days from a woman's last menstrual period (LMP).

For additional information on Mifeprex please read the Medication Guide.

Q 2: How Does Mifeprex work?

A:

Mifeprex is a pill that blocks progesterone, a naturally produced hormone that prepares the lining of the uterus for a fertilized egg and helps maintain pregnancy. Without progesterone the pregnancy cannont continue and the lining of the uterus softens, breaks down and bleeding begins. Mifeprex is followed by a prostaglandin, misoprostol, which causes the uterus to contract and helps to complete the process.

For additional information on Mifeprex you may want to read the Medication Guide.

Q 3: When is Mifeprex appropriate?

A:

Mifeprex is an early option pill that can be used to end a pregnancy from the time a woman knows she is pregnant up to 49 days after the beginning of her last menstrual period.

For information on deciding if Mifeprex is right for you, click here.

Q 4: Who should not take Mifeprex?

A:

Some women should not take Mifeprex. Do not take it if:

It has been more than 49 days (7 weeks) since your last menstrual period began.
You have an IUD. It must be taken out before you take Mifeprex.
Your provider has told you that you have a pregnancy outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy).
You have problems with your adrenal glands (chronic adrenal failure).
You take a medicine to thin your blood.
You have a bleeding problem.
You take certain steroid medicines.
You cannot return for the next 2 visits.
You cannot easily get emergency medical help in the 2 weeks after you take Mifeprex.
You are allergic to mifepristone, misoprostol, or medicines that contain misoprostol, such as Cytotec or Arthrotec.

Tell your provider about all your medical conditions to find out if you can take Mifeprex. Also, tell your provider if you smoke at least 10 cigarettes a day.

For more information on Mifeprex, you may want to read the Medication Guide.

Q 5: How effective is Mifeprex?

A:

Mifeprex is 92-95% effective for safely ending pregnancy (5-8% of women will need a surgical procedure to end the pregnancy or stop heavy bleeding).

To learn more about Mifeprex, including side effects and what to expect, click here.

Q 6: What are the advantages of Mifeprex?

A:

Mifeprex is a non-invasive option for ending early pregnancy. Mifeprex is taken orally and allows you to avoid surgery or anesthesia in most cases. Mifeprex is the only FDA-approved medication for ending early pregnancy.

Q 7: What important information should I know about Mifeprex?

A:

Although cramping and bleeding are an expected part of ending a pregnancy, rarely, serious and potentially life-threatening bleeding, infections, or other problems can occur following a miscarriage, surgical abortion, medical abortion, or childbirth. Prompt medical attention is needed in these cases. Serious infection has resulted in death in a very small number of cases; in most of these cases misoprostol was used in the vagina. There is no information that use of Mifeprex and misoprostol caused these deaths. If you have any questions, concerns, or problems, or if you are worried about any side effects or symptoms, you should contact your provider.

Be sure to contact your provider promptly if you have any of the following:

Heavy Bleeding. Contact your provider right away if you bleed enough to soak through two thick full-size sanitary pads per hour for two consecutive hours or if you are concerned about heavy bleeding. In about 1 out 100 women, bleeding can be so heavy that it requires a surgical procedure (surgical abortion/D&C) to stop it.
Abdominal Pain or "Feeling Sick". If you have abdominal pain or discomfort, or you are "feeling sick", including weakness, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, with or without fever, more than 24 hours after taking misoprostol, you should contact your provider without delay. These symptoms may be a sign of a serious infection or another problem (including an ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy outside the womb).
Fever. In the days after treatment, if you have a fever of 100.4°F or higher that lasts for more than 4 hours, you should contact your provider right away. Fever may be a symptom of a serious infection or another problem (including ectopic pregnancy).

Take your MEDICATION GUIDE with you. When you visit an emergency room or a provider who did not give you your Mifeprex, you should give them your MEDICATION GUIDE so that they understand that you are having a medical abortion with Mifeprex.

For more information about Mifeprex, you may want to review the Medication Guide.

Q 8: What type of side effects can I expect?

A:

Cramping and bleeding are an expected part of ending a pregnancy. 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 return to your provider on Day 3 and about Day 14. If you are not already bleeding after taking Mifeprex, you probably will begin to bleed once you take misoprostol, the medicine you take on Day 3.

Women can expect bleeding or spotting for an average of 9-16 days and may last for up to 30 days. Bleeding may be similar to, or greater than, a normal heavy period. If you soak through two thick full-size sanitary pads per hour for two hours or if you are concerned about heavy bleeding, contact your provider.

The most common side effects may include nausea, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, and back pain.

Side effects lessen after Day 3 and are usually gone by about Day 14. You should discuss with your provider how to manage any pain or orther side effects.

For more information on side effects and what to expect, click here.

Q 9: How is Mifeprex provided?

A:

Mifeprex is only available from clinics, medical offices and hospitals, by or under the supervision of physician. Women who choose Mifeprex make three visits to their healthcare provider's office over a 2-week period. The FDA approved regimen for Mifeprex is:

Day One: 3 tablets of Mifeprex administered orally
Day Three: 2 tablets of misoprostol administered orally
About Day 14: A follow-up visit confirms that the pregnancy has ended.

For more detailed information on the Mifeprex regimen, click here. To locate a Mifeprex provider, visit How do I get Mifeprex?.

Q 10: What experience has there been with Mifeprex?

A:

In the years since FDA approval of Mifeprex, more than 1.2 Million women in the United States have chosen Mifeprex for ending early pregnancy. It has been used by about 2 million European women for ending their pregnancies.

Q 11: What kind of follow-up care is necessary?

A:

A follow-up visit approximately 12 days after you have taken the misoprostol tablets (Day 3) is very important to confirm that the pregnancy has ended. If the pregnancy has not been terminated, there is a chance there may be birth defects. If you are still pregnant, your provider will talk with you about the other choices you have, including a surgical procedure to end your pregnancy.

To read more about the Mifeprex regimen, including side effects, efficacy and what to expect, click here.

Q 12: I recently used the Mifeprex regimen to end my pregnancy. I took a pregnancy test and the results are positive. Am I still pregnant?

A:

A follow-up visit is very important. You must return to your provider about 14 days after you have taken Mifeprex to be sure you are well and that the pregnancy has ended. Your provider will check whether your pregnancy has completely ended. If it has not ended, there is a chance that there may be birth defects. If you are still pregnant, your provider will talk with you about the other choices you have, including a surgical procedure to end your pregnancy. You should contact your provider with your medical questions, as s/he will have the most information about your specific situation.

Q 13: When can I expect to get my next period after taking Mifeprex?

A:

You can generally expect to get your next period approximately 3-6 weeks following the Mifeprex regimen. We suggest that you consult with your healthcare provider about any medical questions you may have, as s/he has the most detailed information on your specific situation.

For more information about deciding if Mifeprex is right for you, click here.

Q 14: How soon can I become pregnant after using Mifeprex?

A:

You can become pregnant again soon 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 having sexual intercourse again. You should contact your health care provider with your medical questions as s/he will have the best information regarding your specific situation.

Q 15: Can I breastfeed after taking Mifeprex?

A:

If you are breastfeeding at the time you take Mifeprex and misoprostol, discuss with your provider if you should stop breastfeeding for a few days.

Q 16: Must I take the misoprostol pills if I am already experiencing bleeding and cramping?

A:

Yes. Cramping and bleeding are expected with this treatment. Usually, these symptoms mean that the treatment is working. However, sometimes you can get cramping and bleeding and still be pregnant. This is why you must take the misoprostol on approximately Day 3, and return for a follow up on about Day 14. The follow-up visit on about Day 14 is very important. Your provider will check whether your pregnancy has completely ended and that you are well.

You should contact your physician with your medical questions, as s/he will have the most information about your specific situation.

For more information on the Mifeprex regimen and what to expect, click here.

Q 17: What should I avoid while taking Mifeprex and misoprostol?

A:

Do not take any other prescription or non-prescription medicines (including herbal medicines or dietary supplements) at any time during the treatment period without first asking your provider about them because they may interfere with the treatment. Ask your provider about what medicines you can take for pain.

Q 18: Is there an age restriction for Mifeprex?

A:

There are no age restrictions in the FDA approved prescribing information for women who wish to use Mifeprex. The safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. Additionally, many states have parental consent laws for minors, which apply to all abortions, including Mifeprex. For more information, you may wish to explore the State Law Resources.

Q 19: How much does Mifeprex cost?

A:

Cost to patients will vary. The cost of the Mifeprex regimen is often similar to the cost for a surgical abortion. You should talk with your health care provider to find out what s/he charges for the Mifeprex regimen.

To locate a Mifeprex provider, click here.

Q 20: Is Mifeprex covered by insurance?

A:

Many insurance companies and several state Medicaid programs across the country have reimbursement policies for Mifeprex. In general, if surgical abortions are covered, medical abortions with Mifeprex are also covered.

For information on payer policies for your state click here. Please call your insurance provider if you have questions about whether your particular insurance plan will cover the cost of Mifeprex.

Q 21: What if I cannot afford to pay for Mifeprex?

A:

Some providers charge a sliding scale for their services, depending on your ability to pay. Two resources for finding clinics in your area that offer Mifeprex are the National Abortion Federation (NAF), www.prochoice.org, or 1-800-772-9100 and Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), www.ppfa.org, or 1-800-230-PLAN. You may also want to try the Abortion Care Network (ACN), www.abortioncarenetwork.org, 1-202-419-1444. If you contact a provider through NAF, PPFA or NCAP 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 http://www.nnaf.org/help.html, their phone number is 1-800-772-9100.

Q 22: Is Mifeprex available through the internet?

A:

Mifeprex from Danco Laboratories is not available for purchase through mail or internet, but is available to patients at clinics, medical offices and hospitals. If you have seen advertisements on the internet for patients to purchase Mifeprex or mifepristone, the advertised product is NOT our FDA-approved product.

You may also want to visit the Food and Drug Administration's website for additional information and warnings on purchasing Mifeprex through the internet.

To find a provider in your area, click here.

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