have you suffered an abortion pill injury?

What is a medication or chemical abortion?

Medication or chemical abortion is a two-step drug protocol for ending pregnancy in its earliest stages. This chemical protocol is known as the “Abortion Pill.”

What is the difference between a chemical abortion and a surgical abortion?

A medication or chemical abortion uses drugs to end pregnancy and expel tissue from the uterus. By contrast, a surgical abortion uses invasive surgical tools and suction to remove the tissue.

What is the Abortion Pill?

The Abortion Pill consists of two oral medications taken in sequence during the first ten weeks of pregnancy. The first drug, Mifeprex, ends the pregnancy; the second drug, Misoprostol, causes powerful uterine spasms which expel the tissue from the uterus.

What is Mifeprex and how does it work?

Mifeprex, known generically as Mifepristone, RU 486, Mifegyne, or the “French Pill,” is one of the two drugs comprising the “Abortion Pill’ protocol. It is taken first and acts to block the hormone progesterone. Progesterone is the “pregnancy hormone” that maintains the uterine lining during pregnancy.

What is Misoprostol and how does it work?

The second drug in the Abortion Pill protocol is Misoprostol, known generically as Cytotec. It is taken 24 to 48 hours after taking Mifeprex. Misoprostol causes powerful uterine contractions which expel the pregnancy tissue out of the uterus.

What is Korlym?

Korlym® is a brand name for mifepristone. Korlym® is a registered trademark of Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated. According to the manufacturer’s website, Korlym®, or mifepristone, is “a cortisol receptor blocker indicated to control hyperglycemia” and “should never be taken by women who are pregnant or who might become pregnant. Taking Korlym during pregnancy will result in the loss of a pregnancy.”

Who should not take Mifeprex?

The FDA warns that a woman should not take Mifeprex or its generic versions if it has been more than 70 days since the first day of her last menstrual period, or if she:

• has an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside of the uterus)
• has problems with the adrenal glands (the glands near the kidneys)
• is currently being treated with long-term corticosteroid therapy (medications)
• has had an allergic reaction to mifepristone, misoprostol or similar drugs
• has bleeding problems or is taking anticoagulant (blood thinning) drug products
• has inherited porphyria
• has an intrauterine device (IUD) in place (it must be removed before taking Mifeprex).

How many women have died from taking the Abortion Pill?

As of June 30, 2022, according to the FDA, there have been 28 deaths of women associated with mifepristone since the product was approved in September 2000, including two cases of ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy located outside the womb, such as in the fallopian tubes) resulting in death; and several cases of severe systemic infection (also called sepsis), including some that were fatal.  

What serious adverse events have been reported after Mifeprex use?

As of June 30, 2022, the FDA had received reports of 28 deaths of women associated with mifepristone, including cases of ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy located outside the womb, such as in the fallopian tubes) as well as several cases of severe infection (also called sepsis) resulting in death. A summary report of adverse events that reflects data through the end of June 30, 2022 is here.

Mifeprex can cause changes in the way your heart beats such as fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats, a condition called QT prolongation.

What are the possible side effects of using Mifeprex?

Side effects of using Mifeprex can include heavy bleeding requiring surgery, pain, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, heart rhythm problems, adrenal gland problems, severe infection, sepsis, toxic shock, and death.

Cramping and vaginal bleeding, weakness, fever/chills, headache, diarrhea, and dizziness are very common.

Additional very common side effects of taking Mifeprex (Mifepristone) include breathing difficulty, fatigue, anxiety, peripheral edema (26%), pain (14%), chill, fever, vaginal bleeding, uterine spasm, endometritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, heavy uterine bleeding, prolonged post-abortion bleeding, spotting, severe hemorrhage, breast tenderness, Nausea (48%), vomiting (26%), dry mouth (18%), diarrhea (12%), constipation (10%), gastric discomfort, abdominal pain.

Heavy bleeding occurs in about 5% of the cases and may require hemostatic curettage in up to 1.4% of the cases.

In clinical trials, surgery was needed in 10% to 12% of women, with some studies reporting a rate as high as 20% to 30%.

Mifeprex may cause excessively heavy vaginal bleeding, adrenal gland problems, darkening of the skin, diarrhea, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting, mental confusion or depression, nausea or vomiting, skin rash. Additional side effects include lower back or side pain, pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back or neck, and painful or difficult urination.

Side effects of the second Abortion Pill drug, Misopostol, include cramps, heavy bleeding and painful menstruation.

Sources:

FDA, the Mayo Clinic, and Drugs.com.