Mifegest Kit: Action, Dosage, Side Effects

Mifegest Kit belongs to a group of gynaecological medications called ‘Abortifacient’ used for the medical termination of the pregnancy 63 days after the first day of the last menses period. While Mifegest Kit also works in the second trimester of pregnancy, one must consult a doctor before taking any medication. Let’s understand more about this medication and how it works.

Mifegest Kit contains two medicines, namely: Mifepristone and Misoprostol. Mifepristone is an anti-hormone (anti-progestogen) that blocks the effects of the progesterone hormone required in women to continue the pregnancy. On the other hand, Misoprostol is a prostaglandin that increases the womb’s (uterus) contraction and dilates the cervix, thereby expelling the pregnancy. Thus, Mifegest Kit together causes termination of pregnancy and must be used one after the other for medical abortion.

A medical abortion generally involves 2-3 visits to a doctor or clinic, which includes giving medicines and then confirmation of termination of pregnancy. Following is the schedule involved in medical abortion:

• Day 1: Medical counselling and examination where the doctor instructs to take one tablet of mifepristone (200 mcg)
• Day 2 to 3: You must return to the hospital/clinic 36 to 48 hours after taking the first dose of mifepristone. Your doctor will tell you about this. The tablet of Misoprostol (800 mcg) will now be given either orally or vaginally.
• Day 7 to 14: The doctor will confirm and make sure whether the medical abortion has been completed or not. If the abortion is not complete, you might require more follow-up visits.

In some cases, you may experience nausea, uterine cramps, vomiting, diarrhoea, infection following abortion, dizziness, and uterine bleeding. Most of these side effects of Mifegest Kit subside with time. But if vaginal bleeding does not stop, please visit the doctor immediately, as it requires immediate medical attention.

Before taking the medication, one must take care of the following factors:

• Mifegest Kit 1's should not be stopped abruptly without consulting the doctor as it may lead to incomplete abortion.
• Inform your doctor before starting Mifegest Kit 1's if you have had an ectopic pregnancy (when the womb grows in the fallopian tube), using an intrauterine device, or if you are breastfeeding, have any bleeding disorder or heart problem.
• Avoid strenuous activities like running, heavy exercise, or driving to prevent excessive bleeding. The doctor will also check with ultrasound if the abortion is complete as no bleeding does not guarantee complete abortion.
• Get an ultrasound to check whether medical abortion is done completely to avoid unwanted complications.
• Monitor your blood pressure daily and if there is too much fluctuation, then immediately contact your doctor.
• There might be a possibility of becoming pregnant again immediately after the pregnancy termination is complete.
• Hence, it would be best if you started using contraceptives for at least ten days after taking the mifepristone tablet. It is better to discuss contraceptive options with your doctor.
• If you are (Rh factor negative), the use of Mifegest Kit 1 requires special measures to be taken to prevent Rhesus (Rh) factor sensitisation. So, if you are Rhesus negative, let your doctor know about this before using Mifegest Kit 1's.
• Mifegest Kit 1's is known to cause sleepiness, so driving or operating machinery should not be done.
• If you use contraceptive devices like the intrauterine device (IUD), please remove it before taking Mifegest Kit 1's. Regular follow-up with the doctor is required for constant monitoring of abortion.
• If medical termination does not happen or becomes unsuccessful, it should be terminated surgically as it can lead to foetal defects. Hence, it is recommended to be in touch with your doctor to avoid any such circumstances.

The Mifegest Kit contains Mifepristone and Misoprostol. Mifepristone works by blocking the effect of progesterone (female hormone) needed to maintain a pregnancy. In the absence of progesterone, the lining of the uterus breaks down as it does every month during the menstrual cycle, and the growth of pregnancy is stopped. It takes approximately 24-48 hours for Mifegest Kit to show effect. Once it starts acting, you will experience uterine bleeding. However, no uterine bleeding does not mean that the abortion is complete.

On the other hand, the second medicine is Misoprostol, a prostaglandin analogue that helps increase uterine contractions and relaxes the cervix. Thus Together Mifegest Kit terminates the state of pregnancy. Misoprostol should be taken at least 24-36 hours after taking mifepristone, either orally or vaginally. This is a non-surgical method which is 90% successful.

The most common side effects of Mifegest Kit are:

• Nausea
• Uterine cramps
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Dizziness
• Infection following abortion
• Uterine bleeding

Mifegest Kit 1's should be taken in dose and duration as prescribed by your doctor. However, do not take Mifegest Kit 1's if you

• Are allergic to misoprostol and mifepristone
• Have a heart fitted with an artificial valve
• Have heart diseases like high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol levels
• Have asthma
• Have blood clot problems
• Have a bleeding disorder
• Have liver or kidney disease
• Have anaemia (low haemoglobin)
• Are malnourished

Common lifestyle changes include:  

• Keep your weight under control with a body mass index (BMI) of 19.5-24.9.
• Opt for a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, veggies, and low-fat dairy products.
• Quitting smoking and not drinking alcohol is the best strategy to lower the risk of any complications.
• Avoid chronic stress and physical exercise like running as it might increase vaginal bleeding.
• Monitor your blood pressure daily and if there is too much fluctuation, then immediately contact your doctor.
• Get an ultrasound done to check if the abortion is done completely to avoid any unwanted complications.
• Try to include heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid-containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.