There is a difference between the Morning After Pill and the Abortion Pill.
The variety of the medical options when facing an unplanned pregnancy can be confusing. The relatively new advancements in medication as an alternative has added to the number of choices and has led to some misunderstanding of what is available, how and when each medication works, and what the side effects are for each option. There is a difference between the Abortion Pill and the Morning After Pill.
The Abortion Pill or mifepristone “is used, together with another medication called misoprostol, to end an early pregnancy.”1 This is known as a medical abortion procedure and is designed “to end a pregnancy through 70 days gestation.”2
Mifepristone, also known as RU-486 is sold under many brand names around the world. The most common brand names in the United States are Mifeprex and Korlym. The second part of the procedure, misoprostol, is usually taken two days after the mifepristone and goes by the brand names of Cytotec, Cyprostol and Misotrol.
The Abortion Pill protocol approved by the Food and Drug Administration allows this type of abortion up to 10 weeks after the first day of a woman’s last period and “must be ordered, prescribed and dispensed by or under the supervision of a healthcare provider who meets certain qualifications…and may only be dispensed in clinics, medical offices, and hospitals by or under the supervision of a certified healthcare provider.”3
At RealOptions we have helped women continue their pregnancy after they have taken the first of the two Abortion Pills with a reversal procedure that puts the hormone progesterone back in the body to keep the pregnancy going.
The side effects of the Abortion Pill: “cramping and vaginal bleeding are expected effects of the treatment regimen. In some cases very heavy vaginal bleeding will need to be stopped by a surgical procedure, which can often be performed in the office. Other common side effects of the treatment regimen include nausea, weakness, fever/chills, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, and dizziness in the first day or two after taking the two medicines.” 4
The Morning After Pill, also known as Plan B is labeled as an “emergency contraception.”5 It contains a large dose of the hormone levonorgestrel that may prevent a pregnancy when taken up 72 hours after unprotected sex by preventing fertilization. Common brand names of the Morning After Pill are Opcicon One-Step, Plan B One-Step, and Take Action. The side effects may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, diarrhea, dizziness, breast pain, headache, and menstrual changes. If a woman is already pregnant the Morning After Pill will not work.
If you are facing an unexpected pregnancy, you may find it helpful to meet with one of our Patient Advocates or Nurses. Call or schedule an appointment at one of our convenient locations of RealOptions Obria Medical Clinics or go to realoptions.net.
400 30th St #401
Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 891-9998
1671 The Alameda #101
San Jose, CA
(408) 978-9310
12 N White Rd
San Jose, CA
(408) 272-5577
33523 Western Ave.
Union City, CA 94857
(510) 487-4357
Sources:
2 – Ibid.
3 – Ibid.
5 https://web.archive.org/web/20070124182515/http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2006/021045s011lbl.pdf
