Mifepristone

The Clinical practice handbook for safe abortion care is intended to facilitate the practical application of the clinical recommendations from the second edition of Safe abortion: technical and policy guidance for health systems (World Health Organization [WHO] 2012). While legal, regulatory, policy and service-delivery contexts may vary from country to country, the recommendations and best practices described in both of these documents aim to enable evidence-based decision-making with respect to safe abortion care.

Mifepristone (RU486), the first clinically available antiprogestin, has generated great interest since its discovery in the early 1980s. Today, it is recognized that mifepristone, along with other antiprogestins, has a potentially significant therapeutic role in human health and disease, with likely applicability to a variety of pregnancy-related conditions (e.g., management of labor) and to contraception, endometriosis, and cancer, among others. But because mifepristone has been studied and used most widely as a means of nonsurgical abortion, political issues have thus far limited research on the drug and prevented its introduction into the U.S. market. This book provides an unbiased evaluation of current knowledge about both the fundamental nature of antiprogestins as well as their possible use in treating numerous diseases and conditions, and it contains recommendations for future research.

Written by the foremost authority in the field, this volume is a comprehensive review of the multifaceted phenomenon of hepatotoxicity. Dr. Zimmerman examines the interface between chemicals and the liver; the latest research in experimental hepatotoxicology; the hepatotoxic risks of household, industrial, and environmental chemicals; and the adverse effects of drugs on the liver. This thoroughly revised, updated Second Edition features a greatly expanded section on the wide variety of drugs that can cause liver injury. For quick reference, an appendix lists these medications and their associated hepatic injuries. Also included are in-depth discussions of drug metabolism and factors affecting susceptibility to liver injury.

Featuring more than 4100 references, Drug-Induced Liver Disease will be an invaluable reference for gastroenterologists, hepatologists, family physicians, internists, pathologists, pharmacists, pharmacologists, and clinical toxicologists, and graduate and medical school students in these disciplines.

Mifepristone is a steroid compound derived from the estrane progestins. This compound strongly binds to the progesterone and glucocorticoid receptors, and to a lesser extent to the androgen receptor. As a result, this drug has a potent antiprogesterone, antiglucocorticoid and weak antiandrogen actions. Its main use as an abortifacient is due to the block of progesterone action which increases the uterine contractility, sensitises the myometrium to prostaglandins, and elicits cervical maturing. This book discusses mifepristone on a vascular level, and provides the advantages and disadvantages of antiglucocorticoid and antiprogesterone activity of mifepristone. It also discusses the beneficial effects that this anitprogestin has in breast cancer.

Abortion is a legal medical procedure that has been provided to millions of American women. Since the Institute of Medicine first reviewed the health implications of national legalized abortion in 1975, there has been a plethora of related scientific research, including well-designed randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, and epidemiological studies examining abortion care. This research has focused on examining the relative safety of abortion methods and the appropriateness of methods for different clinical circumstances. With this growing body of research, earlier abortion methods have been refined, discontinued, and new approaches have been developed. The Safety and Quality of Abortion Care in the United States offers a comprehensive review of the current state of the science related to the provision of safe, high-quality abortion services in the United States. This report considers 8 research questions and presents conclusions, including gaps in research.

Featuring 127 new drug entries, the eighth edition of this popular reference provides practical, reliable information on more than 1,175 drugs that may be used by pregnant and lactating women.

Elsevier now offers a series of derivative works based on the acclaimed Meylers Side Effect of Drugs, 15th Edition. These individual volumes are grouped by specialty to benefit the practicing physician or health care clinician. Endocrine and metabolic diseases are common, includes diseases such as diabetes, thyroid disease, and obesity. Endocrinologists, including diabetes professionals, internal medicine and primary care practitioners, obstetricians and gynecologists, and others will find this book useful when treating endocrine or metabolic diseases.The material is drawn from the 15th edition of the internationally renowned encyclopedia, Meyler’s Side Effects of Drugs, and the latest volumes in the companion series, Side Effects of Drugs Annuals. Drug names have usually been designated by their recommended or proposed International Non-proprietary Names (rINN or pINN); when those are not available, clinical names have been used. In some cases, brand names have been used.This volume is critical for any health professional involved in the administration of endocrine and metabolics mediations. Surpasses the Physician’s Desk Reference © by including clinical case studies and independent expert analysis Complete index of drug names Most complete cross referencing of drug-drug interactions available Extensive references to primary and secondary literature Also includes information on adverse effects in pregnancy The book is divided into eight sections: Corticosteroids and related drugs Prostaglandins Sex hormones and related drugs Iodine and drugs that affect thyroid function Insulin and other hypoglycemic drugs Other hormones and related drugs Lipid-regulated drugs Endocrine and metabolic adverse effects of non-hormonal and non-metabolic drugs