Mifepristone is used to lower blood sugar in patients with Cushing's syndrome (a condition in which the adrenal glands overproduce certain hormones such as cortisol).
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Mifepristone exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take it together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Do not divide, chew or crush the tablet. Swallow it whole with a glass of water.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your condition.
Mifepristone must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- unexplained bleeding from the vagina
- cancer in the lining of your uterus
- changes in the cells lining of your uterus
as Mifepristone may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while on Mifepristone therapy, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.
It is important that you do not get pregnant while taking this medicine. You must use proven birth control methods during Mifepristone therapy and for 1 month after stopping the treatment. Birth control medicines containing hormones may not be effective. You may wish to discuss other reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.
Do not take Mifepristone with medicines used to treat high cholesterol level, certain immune disorders or used in organ transplant, migraine, pain, inflammation, or irregular heartbeat. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- adrenal insufficiency (adrenal glands don't make enough of the hormone cortisol)
- heart problem
- bleeding disorders or are taking blood thinning medicines
- low potassium level
- had an organ transplant
- liver disease
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Pregnancy tests must be done before treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to take.
- Routine tests (e.g. potassium levels, blood sugar, thyroid function) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring of signs of adrenal gland insufficiency or any behavioural changes may also be needed.
Mifepristone may cause dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, dry mouth, constipation, headache, tiredness, colds, decreased or loss of appetite, skin rash, joint pain, back pain, pain in the legs or arms, swelling of the ankles, feet or hand, thickening of the lining of the uterus.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- signs or symptoms of adrenal insufficiency e.g. unusual tiredness or weakness, nausea, low blood pressure, low blood sugar
- muscle aches, weakness or cramps
- abnormal or irregular heartbeat
- vaginal bleeding
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Mifepristone with the following medicines:
- cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. simvastatin, lovastatin
- ciclosporin (medicine used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders)
- fentanyl (strong painkiller)
- quinidine (medicine for irregular heartbeat)
- medicines for migraine e.g. ergotamine, dihydroergotamine
- dexamethasone (anti-inflammatory medicines)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- warfarin (blood-thinning medicine)
- ketoconazole (medicine to treat fungal infection)
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. ritonavir, efavirenz
- certain antibiotic e.g. clarithromycin
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine
- rifampicin (medicine to TB [infection known as tuberculosis])
- fluvastatin (cholesterol-lowering medicine)
- NSAIDs (medicine for pain and inflammation)
- repaglinide (medicine for diabetes)
- bupropion (medicine to treat depression)
- hormonal contraceptives
- St John's wort (herbal medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Mifepristone.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Avoid excessive consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (more than 1 litre a day).
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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