Medicinal Abortion is a type of non-surgical abortion in which pharmaceutical drugs are used to remove the embryo. Medical abortion using mifepristone in combination with a prostaglandin are the most common methods used to induce first-trimester abortion. A medical abortion can be used to get rid of any unwanted pregnancy up to 49 days after the embryo is formed (Gestation) and it is the most common form of abortion in today’s world. Medicinal abortion has been legalized in most of the countries including India, United States and most of the European countries.
The Method:
In this method, a pill or a combination of pills is taken, either orally or vaginally to induce abortion. The most common early first-trimester medical abortion regimens use Mifepristone alone or in combination with Misoprostol. Medicinal abortion pills can be taken at home or at a clinic under doctor’s supervision. Usually a single pill of Mifepristone is given followed by 2 pills of Misoprostol after 48 hours and soon after the bleeding starts. The medicine opens up the cervical muscles, causes mild contractions, alleviates the uterus and makes it to widen to help eject out the embryo. The flow of blood / blood clotting would be a considerably more compared to the normal menstrual cycle and it would last for an week to 10 days.
Health Risks:
Medical methods for first trimester abortion have been demonstrated to be both safe and effective. However one should not take medicinal abortion pills without consulting a gynecologist if she is –
1. Suffering from serious heart problems 2. Having Liver or Kidney related ailments 3. Having blood clotting disorder 4. HIV positive
Side Effects:
1. Heavy bleeding and clotting of blood 2. Nausea / vomiting 3. Mild to moderate headache 4. Moderate to severe cramping 5. Infection in vagina 6. Perforation or Injury to Uterus/Cervix occurs if a metallic instrument used during the procedure injures the uterus, fallopian tube or cervix. 7. Future pregnancy can be adversely effected if complications such as injury to the cervix or fallopian tube happen during abortion. But if there are no complications, even several abortions will have no effect on future pregnancy.
Commonly Used Medicinal Abortion Pill Brand-Names:
Mifepristone:
1. Mifeprex 200 mg x 1 – Cipla 2. MT Pill 200 mg x 1 – Cipla 3. Mifegyne 200 mg x 1 - Nicolas Parimal 4. Mefipill 200 mg x 1 - Nicolas Parimal 5. Mifegest 200 mg x 1 - Zydus Cadila 6. Mefeprin 200 mg x 1 - Sun Pharma 7. Relezed 200 mg x 1 - Zee Lab 8. Mifebort 200 mg x 1 – Taj Pharma
Misoprostol:
1. Cytolog 100 mcg x 4 - Zydus Cadila 2. Cytolog 200 mcg x 2 - Zydus Cadila 3. Zitotec 100 mcg x 4 - Sun Pharna 4. Mesopil 200 mcg x 2 - Nicolas Parimal 5. Misoprost 100 mcg x 4 – Cipla 6. Misoprost 200 mcg x 2 – Cipla 7. Prestakind 200 mcg x 2 - Mankind Pharma 8. Tector 200 mcg x 2 - Zee Lab
[PS: According to Indian MTP Act only registered medical practitioners are authorized to prescribe mifepristone with misoprostol for medicinal abortion. Mifepristone with misoprostol for termination of early pregnancy not exceeding seven weeks, may be prescribed by a registered medical practitioner having access to a place approved by the Government. This may include primary health care-clinic or hospital-based set-up. Initial workup, counseling, prescription and administration could be in a clinic or in the consulting room. Home administration of misoprostol may be advised at discretion in certain cases with an access to 24-hours emergency services.]