North Carolina's abortion restrictions have been fought in court. Here's where the cases stand
Published in Political News
What to know about mifepristone
Medication was used for 63% of abortions nationwide in 2023.
Mifepristone is the first part of a combination of two drugs used to end a pregnancy. The FDA has approved the use of the two-drug regimen within the first 10 weeks of gestation.
Medication abortion can be done in two ways: either with that combination of mifepristone and misoprostol, the most common method in the United States, or by using only misoprostol.
Mifepristone blocks a hormone to stop a pregnancy from progressing, while misoprostol empties the uterus. Solely using misoprostol is effective, but studies show it may cause more side effects.
The FDA allowed the use of mifepristone for abortions in 2000, and more recently has loosened restrictions on the drug. In January 2023, it approved a protocol for certified pharmacies to provide mifepristone directly to patients. This means, under FDA protocols, patients can get a prescription via mail after a consultation, including a telehealth consultation.
In June, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rejected a challenge brought against FDA approval of mifepristone, allowing its continued use.
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