How are emergency contraceptive pills different from the abortion pill (Mifeprex, also referred to as RU-486)?
The abortion pill, also known as mifepristone or RU-486 (“medical abortion” or “medication abortion”), is a completely different drug from Plan B One-Step, Plan B, Next Choice, and the other brands of birth control pills that are sold as emergency contraception in the United States. Emergency contraceptive pills (also called “morning after pills” or “day after pills”) contain common female hormones, either progestin alone or progestin combined with estrogen. These hormones prevent pregnancy, they do not cause an abortion; for more about how Plan B works, read this article in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Mifepristone, which is sold in the United States under the brand name Mifeprex, belongs to a class of drugs known as antiprogestins, which stop the development of a pregnancy once it has started (which happens once a fertilized egg implants in the uterus). This drug is approved for use in early abortions in the United States, and many other countries. At a far lower
The abortion pill, also known as mifepristone or RU-486 (“medical abortion” or “medication abortion”), is a different drug from ella, Plan B One-Step, Plan B, or Next Choice, which are approved for sale as emergency contraception in the United States. Emergency contraceptive pills (also called “morning after pills” or “day after pills”) prevent pregnancy primarily, or perhaps exclusively, by delaying or inhibiting ovulation; they do not cause an abortion. For more about how emergency contraceptive pills work, read this comprehensive academic review of emergency contraception. Mifepristone, which is sold in the United States under the brand name Mifeprex, works differently from levonorgestrel (Plan B One-Step or Next Choice) or ulipristal acetate (ella) emergency contraceptive pills. When given after a pregnancy has started, mifepristone stops the development of a pregnancy (which happens once a fertilized egg implants in the uterus). This drug is approved for use in early abortions in
Related Questions
- How is the abortion pill (Mifeprex, Mifepristone, RU486) different from emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pill, day after pill, post coital contraception, day after contraception, Plan B)?
- How are emergency contraceptive pills different from the abortion pill (Mifeprex, also referred to as RU-486)?
- How are Emergency Birth Control pills different from the abortion pill (Mifeprex, also referred to as RU-486)?
