Fast Facts About Mifepristone (a.k.a. the Abortion Pill)
- Explainer
Mifepristone, one of the drugs used in medication abortion, has an exemplary safety record. But extremist politicians are trying to cast doubt on its safety and efficacy, as part of their attempt to take away access to abortion care. Don’t be fooled—here are the facts.
How safe are abortion pills?
Extremely safe.
Mifepristone has been studied over and over by scientific experts. Hundreds of peer-reviewed studies have found it to be safe or safer than other common pharmaceuticals. People have been using mifepristone in the US—and around the world—for 20+ years.
Do medical experts support mifepristone access?Do medical experts support mifepristone access?
Universally.
All leading medical and scientific organizations that have assessed mifepristone recognize it as safe and effective, including the American Medical Association and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Mifepristone is also officially classified as an essential medicine by the World Health Organization.
What do expert drug regulators say?What do expert drug regulators say?
Mifepristone’s safety record is outstanding.
The FDA closely studied the data before first approving mifepristone in 2000 and has done additional reviews since, each time finding the drug comparable in risk to other common pharmaceuticals.
How effective is mifepristone for abortion care?How effective is mifepristone for abortion care?
Very, very effective.
Taken together with the second pill in a two-drug regimen (misoprostol), mifepristone has an outstanding 95-99% rate of success at ending early pregnancy.
Why is mifepristone access so important?Why is mifepristone access so important?
For flexible, affordable abortion care.
With so many clinics being forced to close, pills are often the best way for people to access abortion care. It’s cheaper and allows people to access abortion at the time and location of their choosing. Over 60% of abortion care in the U.S. is done with pills.
Does mifepristone have other uses?Does mifepristone have other uses?
Yes–crucial ones.
Mifepristone is often used in miscarriage management and to assist with procedural abortion care. Miscarriage without medical management puts people at risk for severe infection, infertility, and even death.
What does the rest of the world think?What does the rest of the world think?
Mifepristone is legal in nearly 100 countries.
Mifepristone is recognized globally as safe and effective, including by the World Health Organization. At least half of all abortions in the majority of high-income countries are done with medication abortion.
Experts agree: mifepristone is safe and effective. No matter what extreme politicians say, they can’t change the multiple decades of evidence that overwhelmingly prove mifepristone’s safety and efficacy. Medication should be regulated by scientific experts, not politicians.
Learn more
Threats to Abortion Pill Access in the United States
Louisiana v. FDA: Abortion Pill Access Under Fire
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