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Activism 101 Deep Dives
How Much Do You Really Know About the Abortion Pill (aka Mifepristone)?
Mifepristone, commonly referred to as an ‘abortion pill,’ is widely used for abortion care and miscarriage management and is a critical part of reproductive freedom.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice. For medical guidance, please consult a qualified health care provider.
⚡️ TL;DR (too long, didn’t read)
Maybe you’ve heard the name mifepristone—a type of abortion pill— floating around in headlines and social media. But how much of what you’ve heard is fact vs. fiction?
Want to help protect access to medication abortion? Sign the petition now:
👓 First, What Is Mifepristone?
Mifepristone is a pill that is commonly used in abortion care as well as miscarriage management.
Mifepristone is commonly used with another medication called misoprostol. These medications are taken in sequences as directed by a health care provider or label instructions, often within 24-48 hours of each other.
🔎 Mifepristone Is Also a Critical Tool for Miscarriage Care
When someone is experiencing a miscarriage, mifepristone can be critical for avoiding complications and ensuring the pregnant person’s wellbeing.
It can even be life-saving in some cases.
💚 So How Safe Is Mifepristone?
Extremely. We’re talking about a 99% safety record—safer than Tylenol or Viagra. Mifepristone has been used by 7.5 million people and has been FDA-approved for over two decades.
Three Things Everyone Ought to Know about Mifepristone (aka the abortion pill)
It’s Incredibly Safe
Mifepristone has a 99% safety record—that’s even safer than Tylenol or Viagra.
It’s Long Approved
Mifepristone was approved by the FDA in 2000 and has been safely used by millions around the world in nearly 100 countries.
It’s Backed by Science
Over 100 studies and decades of real-world data confirm that mifepristone is safe, effective, and essential.
Why Do People Choose Medication Abortion?
Medication abortion puts power and privacy in the hands of the patient. Many prefer to manage their abortion at home, on their own time, supported by loved ones or virtually by a provider.
People also choose medication abortion because:
- It can be more affordable
- It’s often accessible by mail after a telehealth consult
- It can be more flexible than an office visit
- It offers more reproductive freedom to choose what works for them
For folks living in rural areas or reproductive health deserts, this kind of care can be a lifeline.
How Effective Is Medication Abortion?
Mifepristone + misoprostol is up to 98% effective when used early in pregnancy.
It’s the most common method of abortion in the U.S. today—accounting for 63% of all abortion care in 2023.
What Happens If Mifepristone Is Restricted?
Trump, Republican lawmakers, and anti-abortion extremist groups continue to threaten mifepristone, despite the fact that the majority of Americans support legal and accessible abortion care.
Banning mifepristone doesn’t end abortion—it just adds unnecessary barriers and restrictions to the care that people may want or need.
💡Resources for Abortion Care
If you need abortion care, there are resources available.
- Abortion care: Explore Abortion Finder, Abortion on our Terms, Plan C, M+A Hotline for abortion care resources—or chat with Charley the Chatbot (right here on this webpage).
- Know your rights: Even in banned states, some exceptions may apply. Learn about your state’s laws through the Repro Legal Helpline.
- Abortion funds & financial support: Groups like the National Network of Abortion Funds and ineedana.com can help you access financial resources.
- Legal help: Abortion Defense Network.
🤓 Test Your Knowledge, Spread the Word
Medication abortion, including mifepristone, creates opportunity for affordability, access, and comfort.
The bottom line is that people deserve the freedom to make their own decisions about their lives and families which is why we will always advocate for access to abortion pills.
How much do you know about the abortion pill—really? Take our quiz and share with others to help combat disinformation.
More Reading on Mifepristone
Deep Dives Activism 101
The Court Cases Targeting Mifepristone/Medication Abortion
Explainers Reproductive Rights
7 Ways Anti-Abortion Extremists Are Coming for Mifepristone—and Abortion Access Nationwide
Explainers Reproductive Rights