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

In much of the U.S., some use of mifepristone is at least partially outside of the formal health care system. —Susannah Baruch, STAT, 11 Aug. 2024

Those states may attempt to challenge the mifepristone approval through other cases. —Staff Author, Verywell Health, 13 June 2024

The doctors involved in the case don’t prescribe mifepristone. —Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 13 June 2024

Last August the appeals court upheld the lower court’s restrictions on mifepristone. —Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 18 June 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