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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The procedure typically involves taking two drugs: mifepristone, which stops the pregnancy by blocking a hormone called progesterone, followed a day or two later by misoprostol, which causes the uterus to contract. 
Roni Caryn Rabin, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Aug. 2022 The procedure typically involves taking two drugs: mifepristone, which stops the pregnancy by blocking a hormone called progesterone, followed a day or two later by misoprostol, which causes the uterus to contract. New York Times, 7 Aug. 2022 Medication abortions done at home involve patients taking a regimen of two drugs -- mifepristone and misoprostol -- which are approved by the FDA to end pregnancy up to ten weeks. Guy Davies, ABC News, 29 July 2022 The document gives specific examples of cases in which misoprostol, mifepristone, and methotrexate would be prescribed that are not abortions. Laura Weiss, The New Republic, 27 July 2022 For medication abortions, all that the patient requires is two pills, mifepristone and misoprostol, which can be taken at home. Katherine Moncure, Anchorage Daily News, 21 July 2022 The first drug, mifepristone, prevents the pregnancy from progressing. Melissa Jeltsen, The Atlantic, 1 July 2022 Smith’s bill, reported first by NBC News, would keep current Food and Drug Administration standards in place around prescribing mifepristone and other related drugs that end early pregnancies, up to 10 weeks. Ali Vitali, NBC News, 23 June 2022 Another option is medication — usually mifepristone, which weakens the membrane lining the uterus and softens the cervix, followed by misoprostol, which causes contractions. New York Times, 17 July 2022 See More
Roni Caryn Rabin, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Aug. 2022 The procedure typically involves taking two drugs: mifepristone, which stops the pregnancy by blocking a hormone called progesterone, followed a day or two later by misoprostol, which causes the uterus to contract. New York Times, 7 Aug. 2022 Medication abortions done at home involve patients taking a regimen of two drugs -- mifepristone and misoprostol -- which are approved by the FDA to end pregnancy up to ten weeks. Guy Davies, ABC News, 29 July 2022 The document gives specific examples of cases in which misoprostol, mifepristone, and methotrexate would be prescribed that are not abortions. Laura Weiss, The New Republic, 27 July 2022 For medication abortions, all that the patient requires is two pills, mifepristone and misoprostol, which can be taken at home. Katherine Moncure, Anchorage Daily News, 21 July 2022 The first drug, mifepristone, prevents the pregnancy from progressing. Melissa Jeltsen, The Atlantic, 1 July 2022 Smith’s bill, reported first by NBC News, would keep current Food and Drug Administration standards in place around prescribing mifepristone and other related drugs that end early pregnancies, up to 10 weeks. Ali Vitali, NBC News, 23 June 2022 Another option is medication — usually mifepristone, which weakens the membrane lining the uterus and softens the cervix, followed by misoprostol, which causes contractions. New York Times, 17 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
perhaps from International Scientific Vocabulary 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
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