What Is Misoprostol And Mifepristone Used For? How These Medications Are Used Beyond Abortion

It seems like everyone is talking about abortion rights, but not everyone seems to actually have a correct understanding of what abortion is.

In fact, 73% of American adults believe emergency contraception (aka Plan B) can end an early-stage pregnancy, according to a 2023 Kaiser Family Foundation poll — which no, it can’t actually do. But there is an “abortion pill” that exists that can be taken safely at home: a mixture of misoprostol and mifepristone.

Earlier this summer, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that protected use of the two, according to the Associated Press, but both medications still remain under fire from abortion opponents, as myths around their uses (which extend beyond abortions!) swirl. Here’s what you actually need to know about misoprostol and mifepristone:

What is misoprostol used for?

• “Misoprostol, a prostaglandin, is administered to cause uterine contractions that will expel pregnancy tissue,” explains Dr. Carly Ross, a Winx Health Medical Advisor, OB-GYN, and Family Planning Specialist. So while, yes, it can be taken for abortions, it’s also used to treat miscarriages, too.
• Since it causes contractions, it may also be used to induce labor, notes Dr. Gunvor Ekman Ordeberg, an OB/GYN and co-founder of DeoDoc Intimate Skincare.
• Misoprostol comes in handy for people taking pain or arthritis meds, as it can be used to prevent gastric ulcers, a common (and painful!) side effect.
• While most think of misoprostol during pregnancy or labor, doctors also turn to it to treat postpartum hemorrhages – a sometimes deadly condition where women lose too much blood after birth, sometimes even up to 12 weeks later, according to the National Institute of Health.

What is mifepristone used for?

• Mifepristone, when taken in combination with misoprostol, ends a pregnancy. Much like misoprostol, it’s used in cases of abortions and to treat miscarriages, Dr. Ross says.
• Mifepristone works by “blocking the effects of progesterone [a hormone necessary for pregnancy] on the uterus, effectively stopping the pregnancy from growing as well as softening the cervix and increasing sensitivity to prostaglandins [aka Misoprostol],” she explains.
• It doesn’t just block progesterone, though. It also blocks cortisol, a hormone basically synonymous with stress. In fact, Mifepristone is actually approved by the FDA to treat Cushing’s Syndrome, a disease caused by extra cortisol, according to NBC News.
• Obviously, too much stress isn’t good for your body. So unsurprisingly, its ability to block cortisol may have all kinds of game-changing health benefits we haven’t discovered yet. There are still studies being conducted to determine mifepristone’s effectiveness with diseases like certain cancers and mental health conditions, the outlet reports.
• Mifepristone has also been used to treat endometriosis and fibroids, per the NIH.

How do you take mifepristone and misoprostol?

Taking the two medications together is a pretty simple process.

In order to end a pregnancy, whether it’s because a patient wants an abortion or is dealing with a miscarriage, doctors will prescribe both mifepristone and misoprostol. The patient will take the mifepristone first orally. Then, 24 to 48 hours later (depending on how far along someone is in the pregnancy), they’ll “place the misoprostol tablets either in the cheeks or vagina,” explains Dr. Ross.

In as quick as 30 minutes, patients will start to experience bleeding and cramping as they wait for the process to be over. This is a safe and effective way to induce an abortion in the privacy of someone’s home, although they should contact their doctors if any issues arise.

Typically, you’ll return to the doctor a week or two later for a check-up to confirm you’re all set, although it’s not always necessary to visit in person, Dr. Ordeberg says.

How can you get mifepristone and misoprostol?

While part of the appeal of these pills is that you can take them in your own house, you do have to see a doctor to be prescribed them, regardless of why you’re using them.

They’lll explain to you whether you’re the right fit for these kinds of drugs; if you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant, for example, you need an in-clinic abortion. Plus, there are certain conditions where you shouldn’t have a medical abortion, including if you have a suspected ectopic pregnancy, in which case, you might need surgery.

Basically, as with anything medical: When in doubt, talk to your doctor!

Is it safe to take mifepristone and misoprostol?

Both Dr. Ross and Dr. Ordeberg stressed that these medications are extremely safe (if you take them after consulting a doctor, of course), and serious complications are very rare. “The most common concerns are pain and bleeding,” Dr. Ordeberg admits.

Ultimately, using both mifepristone and misoprostol together is a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy (a 93-to-98% success rate, per Dr. Ross). Plus, each medication on its own has numerous health benefits that have nothing to do with abortion. People each day across the United States turn to these drugs to treat a condition or alleviate pain, and we’re still learning about different uses for mifepristone and misoprostol. There may still be incredible new medical benefits ahead.