Morning After Pill & RU486

Morning After Pill (Plan B)

(used within 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse)

Typically referred to as either “the morning-after pill” or Plan B, this involves taking a higher than normal dose of birth control pills, which may act as emergency contraception by preventing (a) ovulation, or (b) fertilization, or (c) the implantation of the already fertilized egg (embryo) into the uterine wall.
These pills, taken in 2 doses, cannot be used on an already established pregnancy.

Possible side effects:

Nausea and vomiting, menstrual irregularities, breast tenderness, headache, abdominal cramps and dizziness.

 

Sources: Plan B® Duramed Pharmaceuticals 2008 ; FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and research ; Serving with Care and Integrity, Care Net 2003
 

RU-486, Mifepristone

(used within 4 to 7 weeks after last missed period)

Often referred to as “the abortion pill”, this two part medication requires multiple visits to your doctor. RU-486, or mifepristone, is a drug that causes early medical/chemical abortion by blocking receptors of progesterone, a hormone needed to maintain pregnancy. Early is defined as within 49 days from the first day of the last menstrual period. During the first visit the pregnancy is confirmed, an ultrasound is performed, and the RU-486 pills are given, preventing the embryo from staying implanted and growing. After two days a second medication, misprostol, is given causing the uterus to contract and expel the embryo. At the third visit the termination of the pregnancy will be confirmed by an ultrasound.

Possible side effects:

Bleeding, clotting, cramps, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness. In a few cases, bleeding can be very heavy and require surgical procedure.

Sources:  FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research; Medication Guide: Serving with Care and Integrity, Care Net 2003.