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What is RU-486?
RU-486, also known as mifepristone or the "French abortion pill," is a pill to end pregnancy in its earliest weeks. Like all abortion methods, mifepristone has been the subject of controversy, in part because it promises to make abortion even safer, more effective and more accessible, especially to rape victims.
Mifepristone was first developed as an early-abortion drug in France in 1988, under the name RU-486. The company producing RU-486 suspended its distribution shortly after developing it, citing anti-abortion protests in the United States, France, and Germany. The French minister of health, acting in "the interests of the public health," ordered the company to resume its distribution only two days later.
After years of controversy, in 2000 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved mifepristone for use in the United States. As with any drug, taking mifepristone is safer if you use it only for its intended use, while under a doctor's care. It is not intended to be used as a birth control method.
How does it work?
Mifepristone functions as an antiprogesterone drug, which means that it blocks the receptors of the hormone progesterone, an important hormone in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. It is important for women to know that it can be used only within 49 days of the beginning of the woman's last menstrual period.
How it is taken?
For the drug to work, a woman must take three mifepristone pills: two on the first day of treatment, and the third on the third day of treatment. The woman should see her health care provider as directed after treatment, to ensure that the pills have worked completely. According to Salon.com, the treatment is effective more than 90 percent of the time.
What are its side effects?
The most common side effects are uterine cramping, bleeding, nausea and fatigue. The labeling for mifepristone emphasizes cramping and bleeding as the primary side effects. Bleeding and spotting usually lasts for about nine to sixteen days. Heavy bleeding is possible, but extremely rare.
Who shouldn't take it?
Mifepristone shouldn't be used by women who have confirmed or suspected ectopic or "tubal" pregnancies; have an intrauterine device in place; have experienced chronic failure of their adrenal glands; are on current, long-term therapy with corticosteroids; have an allergy to the medication; or have bleeding disorders or are undergoing anticoagulant therapy.
How can I get it?
See your health care provider for more information about mifepristone and to discuss using it. Note that the FDA has restricted the use of mifepristone to health care providers who can operate in case of complications. It's also available to providers who have made advance arrangements for a surgeon to care for their patients.
