Medical Termination
RU486 is another name given to the drug called mifepristone, a synthetic anti-progesterone. It has been shown to be more than 95 percent effective in terminating a pregnancy up to 7 to 9 weeks from the last menstrual period when used in combination with another drug called misoprostol, which is administered 24-48 hours later.
While mifepristone has been widely used in many counties including the USA, UK, NZ, India and China, mifepristone is currently considered experimental and is unapproved for use in Australia unless prescribed by a doctor who has been granted permission by the TGA as an "authorised presecriber". Doctors who work for Gynaecology Centres Australia have obtained this authorisation.
In comparison to surgical termination of pregnancy, RU486 has more drug-related side effects (such as nausea, diarrhoea, dizziness, headache and fever). Pain and bleeding are also more common and more prolonged, with up to 90 percent of women experiencing cramps and an average of 14 to 17 days bleeding, with ranges from 1 day to 69 days. The timing of the expulsion of the products of conception is not clear and there is at least a theoretical risk of foetal deformity if the termination fails and the pregnancy continues.
"Compulsory Reading prior to Medical Termination"
> Having an Early Medical Abortion
> Complications of Medical Abortion
> Instructions for Medical Abortion
> Comparison chart for Medical and Surgical Abortion