Abortion Drugs; Mifepristone and Misoprostol; Used For Pregnancy Termination
Abortion drugs, also known as a medical abortion, are drugs used
to bring about an abortion. The recommended regimen usually consists of a
combination of drugs, mifepristone followed by misoprostol. Abortion drugs have
many benefits, especially for women who have chosen this method to terminate
their pregnancy. However, it has some drawbacks, the procedure may be
life-threatening, and there is a high risk of death due to complications during
the procedure. Moreover, it can also cause pelvic inflammatory disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends mifepristone
200 mg by mouth followed by misoprostol 800 mcg vaginally, inside the cheek, or
under the tongue. The success rate of this recommended combination is 96.6%, through
10 weeks pregnancy. In contrast to provider-administered abortion drugs, self-administered
abortion
drugs are also available, where women take abortion drugs without
direct medical supervision. Self-administered abortion drugs may be as
effective as provider-administered drugs but the safety aspects remain
uncertain.
For women who prefer this method for terminating a
pregnancy, it is important to understand the possible complications from it.
This method has the highest rate of complications in the second trimester, and
these include excessive bleeding, infection, uterine contractions, and even
death. The most common complications happen in the last period or shortly after
the end of the first period. These include excessive bleeding, infection,
uterine contractions, and death. The excessive bleeding is caused because of
hormonal changes. Although complications do occur, this is often not fatal and
there are very low chances of death occurring.
Misoprostol is sometimes used to decrease blood loss after
delivery of a baby. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
approved misoprostol only for the prevention and treatment of NSAID-induced
gastric ulcers in patients taking NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
and at high risk for ulceration. Whereas, Mifepristone was approved for
abortion in the U.S. by the FDA in September 2000. It is legal and available in
all 50 states.
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