Available in Europe since 1989, the FDA approved mifepristone (also known as Mifeprex or RU-486) for use in the United States. It is not available in Canada. Mifepristone is only available through a doctor’s prescription and involves a woman taking a series of pills that will end her pregnancy. It can only be used within the first 49 days (7 weeks) of pregnancy.
The first dose of mifepristone works by blocking the body’s production of progesterone, which is needed to help keep the uterine lining suitable for the embryo. Without the progesterone, the uterine lining thins and the pregnancy is ended. The second step in a medical abortion is to take a dose of another medication, commonly misoprostol, which will cause uterine contractions thereby forcing your body to expel the contents of your uterus. Finally, you will need a follow-up appointment so that your doctor can be sure there are no remnants of your pregnancy left in your uterus.
The abortion process takes about a week and is effective more than 90% of the time. Because mifepristone can cause birth defects, it is likely you will need a surgical abortion if a medication abortion fails. Once you have taken the medication, you will begin to have heavy bleeding and may also experience severe cramps, nausea, diarrhea and possibly stomach pains. You will also likely notice large clots in the heavy uterine bleeding that follows; these are the products of conception and include the embryo and your uterine lining.
Though generally safe, this type of abortion can cause hemorrhaging. This occurs in about 1% of women who use the drug. If you soak more than two menstrual pads in an hour, bleed heavily for 12 consecutive hours, pass clots that are larger than lemons, experience severe nausea or vomiting or run a fever higher than 100.4ºF for more than four hours, or are experiencing pain despite taking pain medication, contact your doctor immediately.
