The Abortion Pill, also known as – RU-486, Mifeprex™, and mifepristone, is a common early abortion method in the United States. It actually uses two different drugs to induce abortion.
Cost
According the the Guttmacher Institute, the abortion pill costs on average $504. While some patients qualify for low-or no-cost abortions, many women face costs of over $1,000 for these pills. In California specifically, the LA Times pegs the average at a higher average cost of $604 per patient.
Usage
This drug regimen is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for use in women up to 10 weeks after the start of their last menstrual period.1
DO NOT BUY MIFEPREX OVER THE INTERNET. You should not buy Mifeprex over the Internet because you will bypass important safeguards designed to protect your health. Mifeprex has special safety restrictions on how it is distributed to the public. Also, drugs purchased from foreign Internet sources are not the FDA-approved versions of the drugs, and they are not subject to FDA-regulated manufacturing controls or FDA inspection of manufacturing facilities. To learn more about buying drugs safely, please see Buying Prescription Medicines Online: A Consumer Safety Guide [PDF]
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
You should not buy Mifeprex over the Internet because you will bypass important safeguards designed to protect your health.
Mifeprex has special safety restrictions on how it is distributed to the public. Also, drugs purchased from foreign Internet sources are not the FDA-approved versions of the drugs, and they are not subject to FDA-regulated manufacturing controls or FDA inspection of manufacturing facilities.
To learn more about buying drugs safely, please see Buying Prescription Medicines Online: A Consumer Safety Guide [PDF]
Action
The first medication (mifepristone), blocks progesterone. Progesterone is a hormone that is necessary for the pregnancy to survive. Without progesterone, the embryo eventually dies. The second medication (misoprostol) causes cramping, expelling the embryo and uterine contents.2
Side Effects
Cramping and bleeding are expected. Bleeding may be like a heavy period. Bleeding can last 9 to 16 days and possibly up to 30 days. Other possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, weakness, dizziness, and headache.3
Complications
Possible complications include heavy bleeding requiring surgery to stop the bleeding, and serious infection. Before taking any medication, you should discuss the risks with your doctor and know what to do if complications arise.4
Follow-up
It is important to follow-up with your doctor 1 to 2 weeks after taking this medication regimen to see if an abortion has occurred and to assess for complications.5
1. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2016, March 30). Mifeprex (mifepristone) Information. Retrieved April 18, 2019, from http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm111323.htm.
2. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2016, March 30). Mifeprex (mifepristone) Information. Retrieved April 18, 2019, from http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm111323.htm.
3. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2016, March 30). Mifeprex (mifepristone) Information. Retrieved April 18, 2019, from https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm492705.htm.
4. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2016, March 30). Mifeprex (mifepristone) Information. Retrieved April 18, 2019, from https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm492705.htm.
5. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2016, March 30). Mifeprex (mifepristone) Information. Retrieved April 18, 2019, from http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm111323.htm.
Eva Fisher
Nursing Director (BSN, RN, FCP)
The content on this page has been reviewed and approved by our Nursing Director.