Mifepristone was originally developed by the French pharmaceutical Roussel Uclaf. When the company created the medication, it was
called RU486. Mifepristone continues to be referred to by this name, particularly in the media. Mifepristone has different brand names in different countries.
In the United States, mifepristone is often called by its brand name Mifeprex. In
other countries, mifepristone is know by the brand name Mifegyne.
However, mifepristone is only one of the medications that can be used to terminate an early pregnancy. Worldwide, three
different regimens are used for medication abortion: mifepristone/misoprostol,
methotrexate/misoprostol, and misoprostol
alone. Misoprostol is often referred to by the brand name Cytotec.
