Is mifepristone tablet an emergency contraceptive?
Disease description:
My husband and I are not planning to have children at the moment, so we’re considering using birth control pills. A friend recommended that I take mifepristone tablets—Is mifepristone a type of emergency contraceptive?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Qiong
Mifepristone tablets are used for medical abortion and are not classified as emergency contraceptive pills. Women in the early stages of pregnancy may take this medication to induce a medical abortion. Once ingested, mifepristone reduces the activity of progesterone in the body, softens the cervix, and stimulates uterine contractions to expel the embryo. In contrast, emergency contraceptive pills contain high doses of progestin; therefore, mifepristone is not an emergency contraceptive.
