What is the Abortion Pill and how does it work? The abortion pill is actually a drug called Mifeprex (mifepristone), and is also known as RU-486.

This pill blocks the hormone progesterone which is needed during pregnancy so that a developing baby can obtain nutrition. 1 Without progesterone, the baby will die. 1 RU-486 is given to a

woman up to 10 weeks after the first day of her last menstrual period. 1

The baby, who is in the embryonic stage, has a heart that started beating 20 days after conception, or fertilization. 2

How is the abortion pill taken? Mifeprex, is used with another drug called misoprostol. 1 The woman takes Mifeprex at the abortion facility. Then one to two days later, at home, she will take misoprostol which causes contractions to expel her baby from her body. 3

A woman cannot know when she will actually abort. She may have to have surgery if she has not aborted after two weeks, or if her abortion is incomplete. 4

What are the possible side effects of the abortion pill? Bleeding is expected for 9 to 16 days. 8% of women bleed more than 30 days and 1% bleed more than 90 days, requiring transfusions or surgery. 5

Other common side effects include nausea, weakness, fever/chills, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, and dizziness after taking the two drugs. 1

Can side effects be serious? Yes. The FDA reported 1,445 cases of severe side effects from 2012 to 2017, ranging from blood loss requiring transfusions, infections (many labeled “severe”), and hospitalizations. 6

As of the end of 2018, there were reports of 24 deaths of women who took Mifeprex, including two cases of ectopic pregnancy resulting in death; and several cases of severe systemic infection (also called sepsis). 1

The 2016 FDA label for Mifeprex now states: “WARNING: SERIOUS AND SOMETIMES FATAL INFECTIONS OR BLEEDING.” 7

Despite these concerns, Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion chain in the U.S. states, “The abortion pill is really safe and effective.” 8 Planned Parenthood has also fought against safety standards for the abortion pill. 9

Are there other concerns? A woman should have an ultrasound to determine the age of the baby and to make sure the baby is in her uterus. 1

She should not take Mifeprex if it has been more than 70 days since the first day of her last menstrual period or if she:

has an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside of the uterus)

has bleeding problems or is taking blood thinning drugs

has an intrauterine device (IUD) 1

Some groups have advocated for making the abortion pill available without ultrasounds or medical supervision. 10 This is even more dangerous and has led to people giving it to pregnant women without their knowledge. 11, 12

How does this type of abortion affect women? What makes chemical abortions unique from surgical abortions is that the mother will have to see and dispose of the remains of her aborted child.

A 2011 peer-reviewed summary on the mental health effects of abortion included 22 published studies combining data on 877,181 women. These showed that abortion increases the likelihood of depression, anxiety, and self-harming behavior such as alcoholism, drug use, and even suicide. 13

However, there is hope for women who have just taken the abortion pill and regret it!

If a woman has just taken the first dose of Mifeprex and regrets her decision, there may be a way to reverse the effects of the pill and save her baby!

There is an effective process called abortion pill reversal (APR). This is best started within 24 hours of taking the first pill; however some abortions have been reversed even after this time. It is very important that the woman not take the second pill, misoprostol. 14

During APR, progesterone is prescribed to replenish what is being blocked by the abortion pill. Initial studies of APR show that it has a 64-68% success rate in reversing the abortion process and saving babies’ lives! 14 If you have just taken the abortion pill and you regret it, please call the 24/7 help

line right away at 877-558-0333.

For more information on Abortion Pill Reversal,

see AbortionPillReversal.com

If you are pregnant and need help, call

1-800-712-HELP (4357)

for free, confidential help

Resources: 1. FDA, Questions and Answers on Mifeprix,

4/12/2019. 2. 2. “Pregnancy: Fetal Development: What

Happens During the First Trimester?” MayoClinic.Com. 25 July 2005.

3 “Patient Information Sheet Mifepristone (Marked Mifeprex),” U.S. Food and Drug Administration. July 2005

4 “FDA Public Health Advisory Sepsis and Medical Abortion,” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 04 Nov. 2005

5 “ Medication Guide: Mifeprex (MIF-eh-prex) (mifepristone) tablets, for oral use.” Danco Laboratories, LLC, NY, NY. Guide approved by the FDA 03/2016.

6 “Mifepristone U.S. Post-Marketing Adverse Events Summary through 12/31/2017,” Food and Drug Administration

7 https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/020687s020lbl.pdf

8 PlannedParenthood.org, “Does the abortion pill have long term side effects?”

9 Planned Parenthood v. Humble (Planned Parenthood against RU-486 safety standards)

10 Kazan, Olga. “Women in the U.S. can now get safe abortions by mail,” The Atlantic, 10/18/18

11 Ryan, Patty. “Welden gets 14 years in Tampa Abortion Pill Case”, Tampa Bay Times, 1/27/2014

12 “Doctor who spiked girlfriend’s drink with abortion drug sentenced to 3 years in jail”, News 18, Arlington, VA, 5/21/18

13 Priscilla K. Coleman, “Abortion and Mental Health: Quantitative Synthesis and Analysis of Research Published 1995–2009,” The British Journal of Psychiatry 199:3 (2011), 180-186, accessed August 13, 2018

14 https://www.abortionpillreversal.com/abortion-pill-reversal/faq

March 2020

Understanding

the Abortion Pill

How does it work?

Is it safe?