Abortion pill mifepristone: An explainer and research roundup about its history, safety and future
On June 13, the Supreme Court justices in a unanimous decision preserved access to mifepristone, a medication that’s used for the safe termination of early pregnancy, writing that “federal courts are the wrong forum for addressing the plaintiffs’ concerns about FDA’s actions.” The legal future of mifepristone had hung in the balance for several months. Previously, in August 2023, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that mifepristone should not be prescribed past the seventh week of pregnancy, prescribed via telemedicine, or shipped to patients through the mail.
Understanding Medication Abortion
Medication abortion is also known as abortion with pills or medical abortion. It is endorsed by several organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists and the American Medical Association. Scientific evidence shows that medication abortions accounted for 51% of all abortions, highlighting its importance to abortion seekers. This piece aims to help inform the narrative on medication abortion with scientific evidence, as journalistic coverage of the topic has never been more crucial.
Safety, Effectiveness, and Clinical Guidelines
Research shows the following regarding the use and approval of medication abortion:
- The Food and Drug Administration has approved medication abortion for up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.
- The World Health Organization authorizes its use for up to 12 weeks.
- Medication abortion can also be used beyond 12 weeks of pregnancy, according to the World Health Organization and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
The following table summarizes the authorized gestational limits for medication abortion based on different organizational guidelines:
| Organization | Authorized Gestational Limit |
|---|---|
| Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | Up to 10 weeks |
| World Health Organization (WHO) | Up to 12 weeks |
Media Coverage and Public Perception
It’s important for journalists covering abortion to have a good understanding of medication abortion so that they can better inform their audiences. A recent analysis of more than 1,100 articles finds that "while U.S. newspapers are treating the topic of abortion in general and medication abortion access in particular as serious policy issues, they are under-covering medication abortion considering its prevalence as the leading abortion method in the U.S."
According to a study published in Sexuality Research and Social Policy in June 2025, several trends were identified in media coverage:
- Politicians and lawyers were quoted more than healthcare providers.
- Less than half of the articles included basic facts on medication abortion.
- Only one in five articles included a personal story of someone seeking abortion.
With abortion-related measures on the ballot in several states, including initiatives that aim to ban, restrict, or expand abortion rights, medication abortion remains a central point of health and policy discussion.