What is Mifepristone?
This guide contains information on the Korlym brand of mifepristone. This medication guide does not cover Mifeprex, another brand of mifepristone. Korlym treats hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) in adults who have Cushing syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or glucose intolerance. Korlym is not recommended for the treatment of type II diabetes, which is not associated with Cushing's syndrome. This medication guide does not list all possible uses of Korlym.
Side effects of Mifepristone
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy reaction, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling in your lips, face, throat, or tongue.
Korlym can cause severe side effects. If you experience:
- Nausea;
- Unusual weakness or fatigue
- Feeling dizzy, as though you could faint.
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- The steroid medication you are taking can worsen any existing medical conditions.
- Low blood sugar: headache, fatigue, thirst, weakness, sweating, or confusion.
- Low potassium leg cramps or a limping feeling, an irregular heartbeat, chest fluttering, weakness of muscles, and muscle cramps.
Mifepristone can cause a variety of side effects.
- Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
- Low potassium
- Tired feeling
- Headache, dizziness;
- Your arms or legs may be experiencing pain.
- Thickened uterine lining;
- You may experience swelling in your legs and arms.
- High blood pressure.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Please report side effects by calling the FDA's Help Line: 1-800-FDA-1088
Similar/related drugs
Dexamethasone, Decadron, Cyproheptadine, Oxtocin, Pitocin, Hemabate, and Carboprost
Warnings
If you still have your uterus and are experiencing unexplained bleeding in the vaginal area, endometrial hyperplasia, or certain types of uterine cancer, you should avoid taking Korlym. Avoid using mifepristone while pregnant. It may harm your unborn child or lead to a miscarriage. You should use birth control while using Korlym and at least one month after the last dose. If you have not taken the drug for more than two weeks, you will be required to take a pregnancy test. Inform your physician of all of the medications you are currently taking and any new ones. Some drugs should never be combined, while others can cause drug interactions.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to mifepristone, then do not use Korlym.
Do not use Korlym for women who have their uterus, but also:
- Endometrial Hyperplasia:
- Endometrial Cancer
- Unusual or unaccountable vaginal bleeding
Many drugs have dangerous interactions and can cause serious side effects. Mifepristone and some drugs shouldn't be taken together. If you are also taking:
- Cyclosporine;
- Dihydroergotamine, ergotamine;
- Fentanyl;
- Lovastatin, simvastatin;
- Pimozide;
- Quinidine;
- Sirolimus, tacrolimus;
- Steroids (dexamethasone, prednisone, methylprednisolone, and others).
If you've ever:
- Low potassium levels in the blood
- Heart disease
- A bleeding or blood-clotting disorder;
- Liver or kidney disease
- An organ transplant;
- Your adrenal glands may be malfunctioning.
If you have not taken the medication for more than two weeks, you will be required to take a pregnancy test.Avoid using mifepristone while pregnant. This medication could cause harm to the baby or even a miscarriage. You should use effective birth control during the time you take this medication and at least one month after. Mifepristone may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth controls, such as pills and injections. It can also affect skin patches and vaginal rings. Use a birth control barrier to prevent pregnancy when using mifepristone. This can be a condom, diaphragm, or cervical cap. You should not breastfeed for 21 days following your last dose and while taking this medication. You should throw away any collected milk if you are using a pump to express breastmilk during this period. You should not give it to your child. Mifepristone cannot be used by those under 18 years of age.
How to take Mifepristone?
Please follow all the directions or guides included with your medication and take it according to what it says in its prescription. In some instances, your physician may change the dose; you must always take it exactly as written.Take this medication with food.Do not chew or crush the tablet.Keep away from heat and moisture. Store at room temperature.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for the next dose, skip the missed one.Never take more than one dose at once..
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Mifepristone can interact with grapefruit and cause unwanted side effects. Use grapefruit-free products.
Interaction with other drug
Mifepristone may cause serious heart problems. You are at greater risk if you use other medications for asthma, diabetes, depression, schizophrenia, HIV, HIV/AIDS, and cancer.
Inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking. Mifepristone can be affected by many drugs, including:
- Antifungal medicines (ketoconazole and other antifungal drugs);
- Antibiotics;
- Antidepressants are a type of medication.
- Antiviral medication to treat HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C.
- Blood pressure medication
- A blood thinner—warfarin, Coumadin, or Jantoven
- Steroid medicines (methylprednisolone and other steroid drugs such as dexamethasone)
- Thyroid medication.
The list of drugs that may interact with mifepristone is not exhaustive. These include prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, and other products. This list does not include all interactions with drugs.
