The Abortion Pill and the Morning-After Pill: Are They the Same?

There is much confusion about the two drugs which are often called “The Abortion Pill” and “The Morning-After Pill.” Surveys have shown that a majority of respondents are either misinformed or unaware of the differences between these two drugs. Due to confusion between these two drugs, this article clarifies the issue using the provided specifications.

The Abortion Pill

In 1980, a Frenchman, Dr. Etienne-Emile Baulieu, discovered a steroid hormone similar to progesterone called mifepristone. The sole purpose of this drug is to abort an early pregnancy. The French pharmaceutical company, Roussel-Uclaf, patented the drug; the company’s initials provide the first part of the drug’s label, namely, RU-486. Eventually, the manufacturing rights were handed over to a newly-formed American company, Danco Laboratories, and the name of the drug was marketed as Mifeprex (which is derived from the generic name, mifepristone). Mifeprex is designed to terminate a pregnancy within the first seven weeks, although it has been used to abort babies as late as nine weeks. Because this drug was established as a non-surgical abortion method, it is often referenced as “The Abortion Pill.”

The Morning-After Pill

The term, “Morning-After Pill,” has been used to describe a number of different drugs and procedures. These pills are really the same as typical combination oral contraceptives but with a higher dose of hormones. Duramed Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Plan B, provides one pill to be taken as soon as possible and one additional pill to be taken 12 hours later. Other manufacturers claim a woman must take between two and five of these birth control pills immediately and a second dose in 12 hours for the same effect. Another misconception is that a woman must wait until the next morning after taking these pills. The truth is that the pills are meant to be started as soon as possible, but certainly within the first 72 hours after unprotected sex. Pharmaceutical companies have addressed this issue by referencing this method of birth control as “emergency contraception” instead of the Morning-After Pill.

Comparison of Key Distinctions

To further clarify the confusion, here are the main differences summarized from the data:

• Primary Purpose: The sole purpose of the Abortion Pill is to abort an early pregnancy, whereas the Morning-After Pill consists of specific pills that could be used after sex to help prevent pregnancy.
• Timeline for Use: Mifeprex is designed to terminate a pregnancy within the first seven to nine weeks. In contrast, the Morning-After Pill is meant to be started within the first 72 hours after unprotected sex.
• Chemical Action: The Abortion Pill is a non-surgical abortion method. The Morning-After Pill may prevent ovulation, but in other cases, it inhibits the implantation of an embryo.

Mechanism and Effects

A third concern is a claim that these pills cannot act as an abortifacient. In some cases, the pills prevent ovulation, but in other cases, they inhibit the implantation of an embryo. In cases in which an embryo cannot implant, the drug acts as a chemical abortifacient and that leads to the confusion between the two drugs.