What is RU-486 - Mifeprex®
RU-486 is the name commonly used for an artificial steroid that blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to continue a pregnancy.
Other names for RU-486:
Mifepristone is the generic name for RU-486. In the U.S., RU-486 is sold under the brand names Mifeprex®, Mifeprestone - Mifegyne® and Misoprostol - Early Option®.
Note:
An RU-486 abortion involves two drugs
When taken alone, RU-486 causes a complete abortion only about 60% of the time. A second drug, misoprostol a prostaglandin, is given 48 hours later to increase its effectiveness to 99%. The prostaglandin causes uterine contractions to help expel the embryo.
How does RU-486 work?
RU-486 is an artificial steroid that interferes with the action of progesterone, a hormone crucial to the early progress of pregnancy. Progesterone stimulates the proliferation of the uterine lining which nourishes the developing child. It also suppresses normal uterine contractions which could dislodge the child implanted and growing on the wall of the mother's womb.
RU-486 fills the chemical receptor sites normally reserved for progesterone, but does not transmit the progesterone signal. Failing to receive that signal, a woman's body shuts down the preparation of the uterus and initiates the normal menstrual process. The child, deprived of necessary nutrients, starves to death. The baby detaches and is swept out of the body along with the decayed uterine lining.
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