How Do Abortion Pills Work? Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Mifepristone is one of two medications approved by the FDA to end pregnancies. The FDA says abortion pills are safe if taken as directed. What some people call the “abortion pill” is actually a combination of two pills — mifepristone and misoprostol — commonly called “abortion medication.”
Understanding the Medical Procedure
Mifepristone tablets are also sold under the brand name Mifeprex, which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration since 2000 to be used along with misoprostol to end an intrauterine pregnancy through 10 weeks gestation. In terms of timing, that is measured as 70 days or less since the first day of a patient’s last menstrual period. Abortion pills are now used in more than 60% of all abortions in the U.S. health care system.
How the Pills Function
Mifepristone blocks a hormone called progesterone that is needed for a pregnancy to continue. Regarding the clinical protocol, the FDA-approved regimen is to take 200 milligrams of mifepristone on the first day. Patients are directed to take misoprostol within 24 to 48 hours. We reviewed information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and from groups that closely track the latest medical advice and scientific evidence to answer the most frequently asked questions about abortion pills.
Key Medication Facts
| Medication | Primary Function | FDA Dosage Protocol |
|---|---|---|
| Mifepristone (Mifeprex) | Blocks progesterone needed for pregnancy | 200 milligrams on the first day |
| Misoprostol | Used along with mifepristone to end pregnancy | Taken after the first medication |
| Gestation Limit | Up to 10 weeks (70 days) | Since last menstrual period |
Safety and Oversight
The latest evidence speaks to the safety of abortion pills when taken properly and with appropriate follow-up care. Although complications can occur in a small number of cases involving abortion medication where the abortion does not fully complete, the FDA maintains that the procedure is safe if taken as directed. Here’s what patients should expect: medical evidence confirms that these medications are a primary option for healthcare in the public interest.