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RU-486 (Mifepristone)
 Mifepristone can be used alone or in combination with misoprostol to cause an abortion, within 49 days of the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period (LMP). This is the only chemical abortion that is approved by the FDA.
Procedure:
- RU-486 is given early in the pregnancy within 49 days of the first day of the LMP.
- Three office visits are part of the FDA guidelines. (If an abortion provider does not require the 3 visits, they are not following the FDA’s regimen.
- The first medication administered is Mifepristone.
- The second medication, Cytotec, is given within 36 to 48 hours after the first.
- The third visit, 10 to 15 days later, is to determine if the pregnancy has been terminated.
Potential side effects:
- Severe pain in order to expel the fetus (79-96% of women)
- Heavy bleeding (RU 486 causes 4x the bleeding of a surgical abortion)
- Nausua, diarrhea and vomiting (24-61%)
- Other physical side effects: fatigue, fainting, skin conditions, anemia, hot flashes, heart palpitations, breast conditions, thirst
- Failure to complete the abortion (8%)
- Post Abortion Syndrome – a psychological disorder that may result for the emotional trauma of seeing the dead fetus
Risk factors with RU486:
Researchers have excluded certain women from the studies for fear that the drug might prove dangerous to them. Anyone with the following risk factors should not take RU486:
- Cigarette smoking
- Use of birth control pills or IUDs for 3 months prior to conception
- Menstrual irregularity, fibroids or endometriosis
- History of problem pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease or ectopic pregnancy
- Cardiovascular problems like high blood pressure
- Allergies, epilepsy or adrenal insuffficency
- Recent use of steroids or anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin or ibuprofen
- A history of liver, stomach, intestinal or kidney disease
How much will RU486 cost?
A mifepriston/misoprostol-induced abortion costs approximately the same as a surgical abortion performed at the same stage of pregnancy.
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