Abortion Pill and Morning After Pill: Is There a Difference?

mifepristone (RU-486) in combination with misoprostol

-ulipristal (ella)

-progestin-only pills (Plan B One-Step)

Medication taken to terminate the pregnancy of a developing baby.

Emergency contraception medication taken to reduce the chance of pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. It does not cause an abortion or miscarriage.

Women who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and seek to terminate the intrauterine pregnancy.

Women who have had unprotected sexual intercourse – in situations such as sexual assault or contraceptive failure (forgetting to take birth control, condom breaking or slipping off, not using a birth control method during sex).

Mifepristone is a synthetic steroid that blocks the effects of progesterone. Without progesterone, the lining of the uterus breaks down and therefore cannot sustain the developing baby. The FDA has approved for this drug to be taken up to 70 days of gestation. Once a single dose of mifepristone is given, the woman then self-administers misoprostol in a non-clinical setting, 24-72 hours after taking mifepristone. The misoprostol is a prostaglandin that causes the uterus to contract and expel the baby.

-Ulipristal affects the hormone progesterone in the body thus delaying or preventing ovulation. It can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex. It is available by prescription only.

-Progestin-only is a hormone that delays or prevents ovulation. It is most effective when taken as soon as possible but can be taken within 3 days after unprotected sex. It is available over the counter.

GI discomfort (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), pain, and excessive vaginal bleeding. Many women require pain medication for relief of pain. On occasion, surgical intervention may be required to terminate the pregnancy if side effects are poorly tolerated.

Irregular spotting or bleeding in the week or month after taking emergency contraceptive (goes away on its own). Other short-term side effects include headache, GI upset, breast tenderness, abdominal pain, dizziness, and fatigue.

Hemorrhage, infection, incomplete abortion, and unrecognized ectopic pregnancy. There are rare cases of fatal sepsis that have occurred.

Emergency contraceptives have not been shown to cause serious complications.

It is conducted within 2 weeks of treatment to ensure that the pregnancy was completely expelled and to identify complications requiring treatment.

No follow-up is required.