Side Effects of The Abortion Pill
As with any medication, it is important to weigh the costs and benefits of taking mifepristone (the abortion pill) before making a decision about your pregnancy.
What is mifepristone?
Mifepristone is a drug that is approved by the FDA to block the pregnancy hormone, progesterone, from reaching the uterus, where your pregnancy is located. (Unless in the case of an ectopic pregnancy, which an ultrasound can rule out). This causes the lining of your uterus to thin and the pregnancy to detach.
The abortion pill, mifepristone is also called Plan C, RU486, mifeprex, a medication abortion, or a chemical abortion.
It is generally deemed safe for use through the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, though the further along a pregnancy is, the more likely you are to have complications.
What is misoprostol?
Misoprostol (also known as Cytotec) is a prescription drug primarily used to prevent stomach ulcers. It is used off-label as the second medication taken during a medication abortion. (It can also be used for miscarriage management, induction of labor, or other gynecological indications). For a medication abortion, misoprostol is taken buccally (orally) or vaginally between 24-48 hours after mifepristone, causing the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy.
What are the side effects of the medication abortion pill?
Side effects cannot be avoided, though each woman will have a different experience. Patients who undergo medication abortion will experience cramping and bleeding, though the extent varies from person to person. Some prefer to have an abortion in the privacy of their home with a trusted person with them, while others have said that the experience was not a good one and would have preferred a surgical procedure to be done under anesthesia.
During clinical trials, patients experienced the following side effects:
- Nausea (51-75%)
- Weakness (55-58%)
- Fever/chills (48%)
- Headache (41-44%)
- Vomiting (37-48%)
- Dizziness (39-41%)
- Diarrhea (18-43%)
how long does a medication abortion take?
After taking the second pill, a medication abortion typically takes between two to six hours, although it may take longer. Plan to be at home during this time.
How painful is a medication abortion?
For most, a medication abortion feels like strong period cramps, though the pain levels can vary from person to person. Discuss pain management options with your provider.
How long will bleeding last?
This varies from person to person and how far along in your pregnancy you were when you took the medication. Heavier bleeding will typically last one – two days and lighter bleeding can last for a few weeks, though about 8% of patients will experience bleeding for up to 30 days. Use pads during this time to monitor the bleeding to know the amount of bleeding/and or clots you are experiencing.
Serious Adverse Reactions
Between .04-4.6% of women during clinical trials experienced serious adverse reactions including needing transfusion, sepsis, an ER visit, hospitalization, hemorrhage, and infection without sepsis. (This number could be higher as many complications related to the abortion pill are often misdiagnosed as miscarriages)
In this study, researchers found that surgical intervention was required in 2.5% of medication abortions, and that the surgical intervention was significantly higher among women who were at gestations of greater than 7 weeks.
When to call a doctor
During the process of your medication abortion, you should work closely with your provider. If you experience the following after taking the abortion pill, it is important to contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
- Fever of 100.4 F or higher that lasts for more than 4 hours
- Abdominal pain or nausea more than 24 hours after taking Misoprostol
- Heavy bleeding, meaning bleeding enough to soak through two thick, full size pads for two consecutive hours or longer. In about 1% of women, bleeding can be so heavy that a surgical procedure is needed.
- Unpleasant vaginal odor and a fever that lasts more than 24-28 hours)
- Your period fails to resume after two months
- You continue to have symptoms of pregnancy
Importantly, when you call the doctor, let them know that you took the abortion pill as the treatment for complications from the abortion pill are different than miscarriage.
Who should not take the abortion pill?
According to the FDA, a pregnant patient should not take the abortion pill if they:
- have an ectopic pregnancy
- have adrenal problems
- are currently being treated with long-term corticosteroid therapies
- are on blood thinning medications or have a blood clotting disorder
- patients with significant anemia
- have an allergy to Misoprostol or mifepristone
- have an IUD in place
Considerations before having a medication abortion
Before taking the abortion pill, it is important to know if you need a Rhesus immunization as this can affect the health of any future pregnancies.
A pre-abortion screening (discussed below) will give you important information about your health and your pregnancy before taking the abortion pill regimen.
Pre-Abortion Screening:
At Alpha Center, we believe that an informed decision is the best decision. This is why we provide pre-abortion screenings.
During your appointment, you will learn the following information about your pregnancy:
- If you are truly pregnant and the pregnancy test has been taken at the right time.
- If your pregnancy is viable. Nearly 1 in 4 pregnancies result in miscarriage.
- If your pregnancy is ectopic. Nearly 1 in 50 pregnancies are ectopic and need to be treated by a physician.
- If you have an STD, as untreated Chlamydia at the time of an abortion can lead to pelvic infection between 10-60% of the time.
While none of the above items are requirements to have a medication abortion in Colorado, by getting a pre-abortion screening, you are making the most responsible choice for your health, and in the process, you can have greater peace of mind and know that you have all of the information you need to make the best choice for you.
Generally, appointments are available either the same or the next day. Request an appointment today.
Alpha Center does not provide abortions, and because of this has no financial interest in your pregnancy decision.