Mifepristone (Mifepristone Linepharma) Followed By Misoprostol ...

For terminating pregnancy up to 63 days, without surgery

Mifepristone and misoprostol are two oral medicines (tablets) that can be taken in sequence up to 63 days after your last period as an alternative to surgical termination of a pregnancy.

How is medical termination different from surgical termination?

The decision to choose medical rather than surgical termination is a matter of personal preference in most cases. Discuss the risks and benefits of both methods with your doctor or another trusted health professional before making your decision.

• Medical termination can be used up to 9 weeks of pregnancy, and surgical termination can be used up to 24 weeks (depending on State laws).
• The failure rate with medical termination is about 7 in 100 women.
• The failure rate with surgical termination is about 2 in 1000 women.
• You may experience more bleeding, cramping and abdominal pain during medical termination compared with surgical termination, but the pain can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relief medicines.
• There is a small risk of injury to the cervix or uterus with surgical termination, but not with medical termination. There is a lower risk of infection with medical termination.

Most of the termination will occur at home

If you choose medical termination, you will take mifepristone first, followed by misoprostol 36–48 hours later.

In most cases — where State and Territory laws permit — misoprostol may be taken at home, but you should have access to a telephone and transport to a hospital or emergency health service in case complications arise. It is recommended that you have a support person to stay with you after taking misoprostol.

Misoprostol must be taken bucally. This means you must keep each tablet between the cheek and gum for 30 minutes before swallowing any remaining fragments with water. Not taking misoprostol in this manner could lead to a higher chance of failure for pregnancies beyond 7 weeks.

After taking misoprostol, you are advised to rest at home for at least 3 hours.

Most women are able to return to their normal daily activities within 2 to 3 days of having a medical termination.

It's essential that you attend the follow-up visits scheduled with your doctor.

Continuing with a pregnancy after a failed medical termination is not advised. Always seek medical advice if you have any concerns that the medical termination has not been successful. Follow-up surgical termination may be necessary.

Who can prescribe mifepristone and misoprostol?

These medicines can only be prescribed by doctors who have had specific training and who are registered with MS Health.

Medical specialists in obstetrics or gynaecology who have registered with MS Health may also prescribe these two medicines.

Talk to your doctor or other trusted health professional if you think that mifepristone and misoprostol might be an option for you. Alternatively, you can find a doctor who is registered to prescribe these two medicines by contacting your nearest sexual health and family planning clinic, a Marie Stopes International clinic or MS Health.