Since the year 2000, there has been an alternative to surgical abortion in the United States. A “medication abortion” utilizes RU486, often referred to as the “abortion pill.” This is the first in a series of 4 articles with information about RU486.
If you are in the Chicagoland area and are considering whether a medication abortion is right for you, we hope you will contact us for answers to your unique concerns.
In 2016, the FDA revised its RU486 approval for use up to 70 days (10 weeks) after the first day of a woman’s last period. The medication is most effective when used earlier in pregnancy.
For use of this medication to be legal, FDA regulations require that the abortion pill must be ordered, prescribed, and dispensed by a healthcare provider who has previously completed a Prescriber Agreement Form and is certified. Providers must obtain a signed Patient Agreement Form, and they must provide the patient with a copy of the Medication Guide (FDA-approved information for patients). Healthcare providers must also be able to date pregnancies accurately, to diagnose ectopic pregnancies, and to provide any necessary surgical intervention should emergency care be required.
The abortion pill is not available in retail pharmacies, and it is not legally available over the internet. These important FDA safeguards are designed to protect your health. For this reason you should make sure that any provider meets the qualifications; you should not attempt to buy the abortion pill over the internet.
Women with certain medical conditions should not take the abortion pill. For example, it is not recommended for those who have liver or kidney problems, anemia, diabetes, Rh-negative blood, or for women who are very overweight. Be sure to check with your medical provider to determine if you are eligible.
When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, there are many decisions a woman needs to make.
Important first steps for a woman seeking a medication abortion include:
– Determining exactly how many weeks pregnant she is
– Establishing that the pregnancy is not ectopic
At Avenue Women’s Center, we are able to provide women with those first steps at no charge.
As a limited medical clinic, we are here to serve women in Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn / Lombard, Naperville, West Chicago, and Wood Dale, Illinois. We hope this information has been helpful as you start to figure out your abortion options. We are here to help and support you. Please contact us today.
The information provided here is general in nature. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a medical professional. Before any medical procedure, it is imperative that you discuss your personal medical history, risks, and concerns with your doctor. If you have questions during or after a procedure, your doctor should be immediately contacted. Avenue Women’s Center is not an emergency center. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, such as bleeding and/or pain, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your physician, go to an emergency room, or call 911.