RU-486/The Abortion Pill


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Before taking RU-486, you should get information from a trusted source about what it is, how it could affect your health, and how it works. Comprehensive information is available when you visit one of our centers.

WHAT IS IT?
RU-486 (Mifepristone) is a steroid that causes an abortion when taken orally. It is actually a combination of two drugs - mifepristone and misoprostol - that cause early abortion. It should not be used if it has been more than 7 weeks since your last period. It is NOT the same as the 'morning after pill'.

POSSIBLE WAYS IT MAY AFFECT YOUR HEALTH
     •     Side effects include heavy bleeding, headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cramping
     •     For about 8 women out of 100 in the U.S. clinical study, the RU-486 combination
            failed to result in a medical abortion and a surgical abortion follow-up was necessary
     •     Normally, the FDA conducts massive studies using strict protocol to insure long-             term safety before approving a drug. However, only a few trials have been 
            in the United States.
     •     In a surgical abortion, the patient does not see what the physician removes from the
            womb; in a chemical abortion the fetus may be expelled while you are at home, work
            or school. For some women this is very traumatic.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
This drug breaks down the uterine lining and the growing baby is shed from the uterus.

For this type of abortion, you may need as many as three appointments.
     •     First appointment: pelvic exam, blood test, ultrasound exam; first dose of RU-486
     •     Second appointment: if the abortion has not occured in two days, you will return to
           clinic and take Cytotec or Misoprostol to induce uterine contractions
     •    Third appointment: about twelve days later, you will return to the clinic for an exam
           to make sure the abortion is complete and you are no longer pregnant

Sources:  New England Journal of Medicine, April 30, 1998, Vol. 338 No. 18
                   Washington Post, February 4, 1997, Robin Heterman
                   Citizen: "Deadly Temptation" January 2000, by Matthewes-Green