Are the abortion pill and the morning after pill the same?
What is the “abortion pill”? Are the abortion pill and the “morning after pill” the same thing? The abortion pill and the morning after pill are not the same medicine and each works very differently. This article is for informational purposes so that you can tell the difference between the morning after pill and the abortion pill.
The morning after pill, also commonly known as Plan B, is a popular name for numerous brands of birth control pills that contain the hormone levonorgestrel. These pills can be used to prevent ovulation and will not harm an existing pregnancy when taken as directed. In California, a prescription is not required to obtain birth control pills.
The abortion pill is a medication called mifepristone, mifeprex, or RU486 and is available only by prescription. Mifepristone, when used in combination with Misoprostol, will terminate an existing pregnancy (but not if the pregnancy is an ectopic pregnancy; a different procedure or medication will be needed). It is now approved for use up to 70 days (10 weeks) from a woman’s last menstrual period to end an early pregnancy. Mifepristone is available by prescription only at your local pharmacy, such as Walgreen’s Pharmacy or CVS Pharmacy.
Termination of an existing pregnancy is a two-part regimen when using these pills. Mifepristone, or Mifeprex, is an antiprogesterone that ends a pregnancy by blocking receptors on the uterine wall for the hormone progesterone. This causes the lining of the uterine walls to shed as they do during a menstrual cycle. It also softens and dilates the cervix, thus facilitating abortion.
Misoprostol is used to help expel the pregnancy. Misoprostol is a prostaglandin that induces uterine contractions and softens and dilates the cervix. It is used approximately two days after taking Mifepristone to complete the abortion process. When used in combination with mifepristone, the abortion is complete approximately 97% of the time.
After taking the mifepristone and misoprostol regimen, it is common to experience pelvic cramping and vaginal bleeding and spotting, including the passage of tissue and blood clots, for an average of 9 to 16 days. It is also common to experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, fever, chills, weakness, and diarrhea.
A follow-up visit 7 to 14 days after taking the abortion pill regimen is very important to ensure that no tissue remains and that the abortion was successful. In the event mifepristone has not worked, as determined by ultrasound during the follow-up visit, the woman will discuss her options with her provider.