Mifepristone belongs to the class of endocrine drugs. It is an antiprogesterone countering the action of female sex hormones for the purpose of abortion, Cushing’s syndrome and labor induction.
Mifepristone is taken orally as tablets. If Mifepristone is to be used for hyperglycemia in Cushing’s syndrome patients, it should be taken with a meal as a whole and not to be split, chewed or ground.
Hyperglycemia in patients with Cushing syndrome
Adult
300 mg once daily initially, increased up to 1200 mg once daily every 2-4 weeks, not to be larger than 20 mg/kg daily. When the therapy is reinitiated or a strong CYP3A inhibitor is used or will be used, reduce dose by 300 mg unless the original dose is 300 mg, which can be kept unchanged.
Termination of intrauterine pregnancy
Adult
Day 1 (Oral Mifepristone): 200 mg once
Day 2 or 3 (Buccal Misoprostol): 800 mg
Day 7-14 (Post-treatment exam): 800 mg buccal Misoprostol for those without complete expulsion
Common side effects of Mifepristone include, but not limited to, peripheral edema, hypertension, fatigue, headache, hypokalemia, abdominal cramps.
For those taking Mifepristone to counter hyperglycemia resulted from Cushing’s Syndrome:
For those taking Mifepristone to terminate pregnancy:
For those taking Mifepristone to terminate pregnancy:
Common dosing schedule:
For those taking Mifepristone to counter hyperglycemia resulting from Cushing’s Syndrome, it is to be taken daily and is suggested to take it at night with dinner so as to circumvent the effect of fatigue during daytime.
For those taking Mifepristone to terminate pregnancy, it is to be taken once on Day 1.
This schedule is for reference only, adjustments may be made according to individual needs.
Some common medications Mifepristone may interact with:
Mifepristone may interact with many other medications. Please notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the above medication, dosage adjustments might be needed.
In Hong Kong, Mifepristone is a prescription only medicine, and requires a prescription from a doctor to be purchased in a pharmacy. It can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.
For more information about drug names and ingredients, you can visit Hong Kong’s Drug Office at https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk
Need more information?
For detailed information about the use of Mifepristone in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for questions about drug interactions, please check with your pharmacist or doctor.
Disclaimer: our goal is to provide you with the most relevant drug information and common dosage for Hong Kong. This information does not constitute medical advice. For specific treatment recommendations and advice, always discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, and follow the instructions included with your specific medicine.
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