Mifepristone|RU-486|Structure|Synthesis|Mechanism of action|Dose|Uses|Side-effects

  

 Mifepristone

It is an oral contraceptive or birth control drug which is used in the termination of pregnancy. It is a steroidal antiprogesterone drug. It is a yellow powder which is soluble in chloroform, ethanol and acetone. it is poorly soluble in water. It is also known as, RU-486. the molecular weight of mifepristone is,429.2 gm/mol. the melting point of mifepristone is, 191°C. it is also known as, Mifeprex, Mifegyne, Korlym, etc.

Structure:

The molecular formula of mifepristone is, [C­­­­­29H35NO2].

The IUPAC name of mifepristone is, (8S,11R,13S,14S,17S)-11-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-17-hydroxy-13-methyl-17-prop-1-ynyl-1,2,6,7,8,11,12,14,15,16-decahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one.

Synthesis:

Mechanism of action:

Progesterone plays an important role in woman body, its produced pregnancy part supplements for support and growth including the fetus. Mifepristone is a steroidal antiprogesterone drug, which inhibit the progesterone hormone in woman body. it block the effect of progesterone , limiting the life of fetus and dilating the cervix.

Uses:

Mifepristone(also known as RU-486) is used to prevent early pregnancy(means 70days or less since last menstrual period began) in combination with misoprostol(Cytotec).

It is also used in the treatment of hyperglycemia in patients with Cushing's syndromes.

Dose:

The usual adult dose for  the pregnancy termination(70 day or less) is, 200mg orally once a day with the combination of misoprostol.

The usual adult dose for the treatment of hyperglycemia is 300mg orally once a day. 

Side-effects:

The overdose of this drug shows different type of side-effects like, 

1.Nausea.

2.Diarrhea.

3.pelvic pain.

4.Vomitting.

5.Cramps.

6. Vaginal bleeding, burning, itching.

7.Headache.

8.Dizziness