What is mifepristone?

Mifepristone is an oral cortisol receptor blocker/progestin antagonist that has two main uses:

In combination with misoprostol to end an early pregnancy when it has been 70 days or less since the first day of a patient’s last menstrual period (10 weeks or less)(Mifeprex brand and generic mifepristone)
To treat high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) caused by high cortisol levels in the blood (hypercortisolism) in adults with endogenous Cushing’s syndrome who have type 2 diabetes mellitus or glucose intolerance and have failed surgery or cannot have surgery (Korlym brand).
- For this use, mifepristone is given daily, and females must avoid becoming pregnant.
- Mifepristone is not for use in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus that is not caused by Cushing’s syndrome.