Comparing different types of medical abortion methods.

Medical abortion using Mifepristone and Misoprostol for pregnancy ≤ 12 weeks

Medical abortion using misoprostol alone  for pregnancy ≤ 12 weeks 

Results in a complete abortion in 95-98%. ^1,15

Results in a complete abortion in 85-95%. ⁵⁸

The continuing pregnancy rate is extremely low, less than 0.5%. ⁵

The continuing pregnancy rate is between 4-6%. ⁵⁸

The side effects like nausea, vomiting, pain, diarrhea, shivering are less intense.

The side effects like nausea, pain, vomiting, diarrhea, shivering are more intense.

Abortion normally occurs  3,5 hours after using misoprostol. ⁷

Abortion normally occurs  7,5 hours after the first dose of misoprostol. ¹²

Mifepristone is more expensive and is generally not available in countries where abortion is legally restricted.

Misoprostol is cheaper and available in many countries for several uses (ulcers, arthritis, prevention of heavy bleeding after birth), so it can be easier to get.

Both medicines are well studied for first trimester and second trimester abortions.

Misoprostol is well studied for late first trimester and second trimester abortions.

There is no evidence that the exposure to mifepristone during pregnancy will result in malformation of the fetus¹⁴ if the pregnancy continues. 

Misoprostol exposure during pregnancy has been associated with increased risk of fetal malformations. The number of cases associated with misoprostol exposure during pregnancy appears low (less than 10 malformations per 1,000 births exposed to misoprostol in utero). ¹³