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

Despite legal challenges, doctors maintain that both misoprostol and mifepristone are safe medications. —Lauren Dunn, NBC News, 11 Aug. 2024

Proposals such as reducing green energy, eliminating the Education Department, withdrawing mifepristone and ending nondiscrimination against LGBTQ+ Americans generate strong opposition. —Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post, 30 July 2024

The plaintiffs argued that the FDA had not sufficiently accounted for medical complications suffered by women using the drug to terminate pregnancies and that subsequent decisions to loosen the rules governing mifepristone prescriptions would increase the frequency of such complications. —Heather Wilhelm, National Review, 25 July 2024

In reality, studies have shown that mifepristone, one of two drugs used in almost all medication abortions in the U.S., is extremely safe and effective. —Ben Guarino, Scientific American, 19 July 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