Studies Show Possibility of Greater Flexibility in Administering Abortion Pill

Amanda Gardner of Healthday (Canada) reports:

Women can take the two components of the so-called "abortion pill" simultaneously, rather than 24 hours apart, as is typically done, a new study found.

And a second study found the drug is safe for late first-trimester abortions.

Under the FDA-approved protocol for mifepristone (also known as "RU-486" or the "abortion pill"), the patient first takes mifepristone, and then must return twice to the provider, first for administration of a second medication, misoprostol, and again for a follow-up visit.  The new study suggests that the second visit for misoprostol could be combined with the first without any loss of effectiveness.  Otherwise, to avoid the need for a second visit to receive misoprostol, some women self-administer this second medication at home, a protocol that has also proven effective.  See the National Abortion Federation's Protocol for Mifepristone/Misoprostol in Early Abortion.