Be informed. Be empowered.
Be informed. Be empowered.
The abortion pill is a medical abortion that is also known as RU-486. This type of abortion uses two drugs – Mifeprex™(mifepristone) and Misoprostol. Mifeprex™ blocks the progesterone hormone which is needed for pregnancy to continue. When used together with Misoprostol, it will end an early pregnancy (70 days or less since the first day of the last menstrual period or 10 wks LMP).
How is it taken? The FDA has approved a dosing regimen:
The documented side effects of the abortion pill include abdominal pain, severe cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, fever and chills. Risks include seeing embryonic parts expelled, possible life-threatening infection known as sepsis (severe systemic infection), some fail to abort (which may require an additional surgical abortion procedure to complete the termination), undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy, possible hemorrhaging. Information is lacking about the long-term mental health effects of medical abortion, particularly, how women feel about giving themselves an abortion, and seeing fetal parts expelled.
According to the FDA, some women should not take Mifeprex™. A woman should not take Mifeprex™ if it has been more than 70 days since the first day of her last menstrual period, or if she: