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Medication Abortion (Mifepristone)
Health Services > Abortion > Medication Abortion (mifepristone)
The decision to terminate a pregnancy is always a difficult and very personal decision. For many women, this decision is made even more difficult by the fear of having to undergo a surgical procedure that sometimes requires anesthesia. Women often don’t realize that there is a non-surgical option available to them if they’re less than eight weeks pregnant. This option—mifepristone (RU-486)—has been available in this country a little over two years and has shown to be roughly 95% successful in terminating pregnancy.
How it Works
Mifepristone—brand name Mifeprex™—works by blocking the production of progesterone, a naturally occurring hormone that prepares the lining of the uterus for a fertilized egg during pregnancy. Without progesterone, the lining of the uterus softens, breaks down, and is eventually passed out through the vagina in what is essentially a medically induced miscarriage.
The Process
Taking mifepristone is a three-step process. First, a woman visits a clinic where she receives a mandated medication guide provided by Danco, the drug’s manufacturer. The guide explains how the medication works and provides information about possible side effects. The woman then signs a consent form saying she understands the process and that she agrees to undergo a surgical abortion in the unlikely event that mifepristone is unsuccessful in terminating her pregnancy. She then swallows between 200 and 600 milligrams of mifepristone under the clinician’s guidance and is sent home with 800 micrograms of misoprostal, a prostaglandin that induces uterine contractions.
Two or three days later, the woman administers the misoprostal and experiences bleeding and passage of the pregnancy roughly four hours later.
Approximately one week after that, the woman must return to the clinic for a follow-up visit to make sure the pregnancy has been successfully terminated.
Side Effects
Possible side effects include strong cramps, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea. These symptoms can usually be alleviated with an over-the-counter painkiller such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. In addition, women may see large blood clots or tissue at the time of the abortion. Bleeding and spotting may occur up to four weeks after the procedure. Any woman who experiences more pronounced side effects than these should call a clinician right away.
Popular Method
In U.S. trials, 96 percent of women said they would recommend the mifepristone regimen to others. Many women prefer the non-surgical method and say that it feels more “natural” to them since the pregnancy is passed in the privacy of their own home in much the same way as an early miscarriage.
Not Emergency Contraception
Don’t confuse mifepristone with emergency contraception (EC) medication. Mifepristone terminates a confirmed pregnancy, while EC prevents pregnancy altogether. If you’re concerned about becoming pregnant and it’s been less than 120 hours since you had unprotected sex, take EC as soon as you can. It’s a good idea to pick up EC ahead of time, so you have some on hand if you need it. To find out more about mifepristone or to schedule an appointment with a clinician, call 1-888-743-PLAN. |
