RU486: The Abortion Pill
Mifeprex is a non-invasive, non-surgical option for ending an early pregnancy. It can be safely taken up to 49 days after the first day of the last menstrual period and is 95-98 percent effective.
Actually, two medications are used in order to end the pregnancy.
Mifeprex, commonly referred to as RU486, is FDA approved and works by blocking the hormone progesterone, which is needed to maintain a very early pregnancy. Mifeprex has been available to American women since November 2000 after the FDA approved it. It has been successfully used in dozens of countries by thousands of women all over the world for over 15 years. Many women report medical abortion as being "private" and "more like a miscarriage".
Misoprostol is a prostaglandin-like medication which has been FDA approved for several years. The drug has been used in obstetrics to induce labor and to treat stomach ulcers. The most commonly reported side effects are nausea, vomiting, chills, fever and diarrhea of brief duration. No other side effects or adverse reactions have been reported at the dosage used in this method of pregnancy termination. Misoprostol will help the uterus to expel the pregnancy.
Mifeprex is taken orally at your first visit to the office. It is followed by the Misoprostol tablets, which are placed in your mouth at home 24 to 48 hours later. You will be given pain medication for cramping. If needed, you will be given a medicine for nausea as well.
The vast majority of women will completely expel the uterine contents within six hours after the Misoprostol. You will experience vaginal bleeding similar to a heavy menstrual period and cramps that may be intense. This discomfort will only last 2-3 hours or so.
One week later at your second visit to the office, you will be evaluated to determine the completeness of the abortion. Contraception will be discussed and prescribed. Most women will continue to bleed lightly for up to 10-14 days. If the pregnancy tissue has not passed, you might need a D&C or to repeat the Misoprostol.
Mifeprex is a non-invasive, non-surgical option for ending an early pregnancy. It can be safely taken up to 49 days after the first day of the last menstrual period and is 95-98 percent effective.
Actually, two medications are used in order to end the pregnancy.
Mifeprex, commonly referred to as RU486, is FDA approved and works by blocking the hormone progesterone, which is needed to maintain a very early pregnancy. Mifeprex has been available to American women since November 2000 after the FDA approved it. It has been successfully used in dozens of countries by thousands of women all over the world for over 15 years. Many women report medical abortion as being "private" and "more like a miscarriage".
Misoprostol is a prostaglandin-like medication which has been FDA approved for several years. The drug has been used in obstetrics to induce labor and to treat stomach ulcers. The most commonly reported side effects are nausea, vomiting, chills, fever and diarrhea of brief duration. No other side effects or adverse reactions have been reported at the dosage used in this method of pregnancy termination. Misoprostol will help the uterus to expel the pregnancy.
Mifeprex is taken orally at your first visit to the office. It is followed by the Misoprostol tablets, which are placed in your mouth at home 24 to 48 hours later. You will be given pain medication for cramping. If needed, you will be given a medicine for nausea as well.
The vast majority of women will completely expel the uterine contents within six hours after the Misoprostol. You will experience vaginal bleeding similar to a heavy menstrual period and cramps that may be intense. This discomfort will only last 2-3 hours or so.
One week later at your second visit to the office, you will be evaluated to determine the completeness of the abortion. Contraception will be discussed and prescribed. Most women will continue to bleed lightly for up to 10-14 days. If the pregnancy tissue has not passed, you might need a D&C or to repeat the Misoprostol.