mifepristone

noun

mi·​fep·​ris·​tone ˌmi-fə-ˈpri-ˌstōn 

mi-ˈfe-pri-ˌstōn

: a drug C₂₉H₃₅NO₂ taken orally to induce abortion especially early in pregnancy by blocking the body's use of progesterone

called also RU-486

Examples of mifepristone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One fight will determine whether mifepristone, the drug used in more than half of U.S. abortions, remains fully available. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 6 June 2024

The company’s sole product is mifepristone, half of the two-drug regimen used to induce early-pregnancy abortions. —Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 30 May 2024

Misoprostol is prescribed to be taken between 24 to 48 hours after mifepristone. —Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 28 May 2024

One Year After the Fall of Roe v. Wade Are mifepristone and misoprostol addictive drugs? —Chantelle Lee, TIME, 24 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from amino + fe- (alteration of phen-) + pri- (alteration of prop-) + estradiol + -one

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

mifepristone

noun

mi·​fep·​ris·​tone ˌmi-fə-ˈpris-ˌtōn  mi-ˈfep-ri-ˌstōn 

: a drug C₂₉H₃₅NO₂ taken orally to induce abortion especially early in pregnancy by blocking the body's use of progesterone

called also RU-486