MIFEGYNE - PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

MIFEGYNE - PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

THIS LEAFLET IS FOR PATIENTS RECEIVING MIFEGYNE PRIOR TO SURGICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY.

PLEASE READ THIS LEAFLET BEFORE RECEIVING YOUR TREATMENT AND ASK THE DOCTOR TO EXPLAIN ANY POINTS THAT ARE NOT CLEAR.

BEFORE TAKING THE MIFEGYNE TABLETS, THE DOCTOR WILL ASK YOU TO CONFIRM THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE INFORMATION GIVEN ON THIS LEAFLET.
ABOUT THE TABLETS

Mifegyne tablets contain 200mg of a medicine called mifepristone.

The tablets also contain the following ingredients: anhydrous colloidal silica, maize starch, povidone, microcrystalline cellulose and magnesium stearate. The UK product licence for Mifegyne is held by Roussel Laboratories Limited, Uxbridge, UB9 5HP. The product is manufactured in France by Roussel Uclaf, Compiègne.

Mifegyne acts by blocking the effects of progesterone a hormone which is needed for pregnancy to continue. Mifegyne also softens and dilates the opening to the womb. Mifegyne is used prior to surgical termination of pregnancy.

THE TREATMENT

The treatment will consist of three Mifegyne tablets which will be taken in the presence of your doctor. This will be followed within 2 days by a surgical procedure which will terminate the pregnancy. Your doctor will explain this to you.

WILL THE TREATMENT SUIT YOU?

Most women can have the treatment. However some women should not. You should not have the treatment if:

you are not definitely pregnant
you have an ectopic pregnancy (where the egg has implanted in your tubes rather than in your womb)

In some other circumstances the treatment may also be unsuitable so please tell the doctor if: - you have a heart complaint or are receiving treatment for high blood pressure

if you suffer badly from asthma, bronchitis or have diabetes
you suffer from any condition or illness or are taking medicines of any kind
you know you have high blood cholesterol levels
you have ever had a bad reaction or are allergic to mifepristone

The doctor will then be able to discuss with you if you are able to have the treatment.

If you are breast feeding, you should stop for at least 14 days. Your doctor will be able to advise you when breast feeding can be restarted.

WHAT ABOUT OTHER MEDICINES?

Some medicines may interfere with the treatment and should not be used until it is over. These include some pain relief tablets such as aspirin, ibuprofen and mefenamic acid which should not be taken after you have had the Mifegyne tablets and until after the surgical procedure. If you need to take other medicines, please tell your doctor.

HOW WILL I TAKE THE TREATMENT?

you will be given 3 tablets of Mifegyne to swallow with some water which you must take at the hospital or clinic.
you will be able to go home 2 hours after taking the tablets once the doctor is sure you will not be sick.
you must then return to the hospital within 2 days for a surgical procedure which your doctor will explain to you. You will be told when to return to the hospital and given an appointment time. Obviously, if there is any cause for concern you can either contact the hospital or return to the hospital prior to the appointment time.

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WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND ABOUT THE TERMINATION?

Once you have taken the Mifegyne tablets you should be aware that changing your mind would be inadvisable as there is a risk that if the pregnancy continues the baby may be born with abnormalities. This should be discussed with your doctor.

In the unlikely event of the treatment failing, you should consult your doctor at your follow-up visit about the need to terminate the pregnancy by another method.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF TREATMENT?

after taking the Mifegyne tablets nothing much will happen for about 12 hours. You may feel unwell, perhaps a little faint or sick during the first few hours. You may suffer from a headache or have a skin rash.
after 12 hours you may start to bleed, the chances of this happening will depend on how advanced your pregnancy is. About a half of the women who have taken the treatment started to bleed in the two days before coming back to hospital. The bleeding may be quite heavy, like a heavy period, you may also get cramps like period pains.
a small number of women may also develop some infection. The doctor needs to check if this has happened and give antibiotic treatment if needed.

If you have a lot of pain the doctor will be able to give you some pain killers such as paracetamol or codeine. Pain can be worse in women who have never been pregnant before or who normally suffer from painful periods.

If you think you are reacting badly in any of these or any other ways to your medicine, talk to your nurse or doctor straight away.

HOW SHOULD I STORE MY MEDICINE?

You will not be asked to store your medicine. It will be brought to you to be taken straight away.

Mifegyne tablets must be stored below 30°C (normal room temperature).

Do not take the tablets if they are past the expiry date on the box.

DATE OF REVISION

July 1995 PL 0109/0232

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?

What about contraception?

It is possible for you to become pregnant again immediately after the termination is complete so you will need to start contraception within three to nine days of taking the Mifegyne tablets. Ask your doctor what you need.

THIS FORM MUST NOT BE COPIED OR CIRCULATED.

Hoechst Marion Roussel

Broadwater Park, Denham

Uxbridge, Middlesex UB9 5HP England

Tel: (01895) 834343 MF29