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January 25, 2025
A new study proposes that an emergency contraception pill could be repurposed as an abortion drug, offering a potential alternative to mifepristone, one of the most commonly used drugs in medication abortions in the United States. Mifepristone, used in combination with misoprostol, has faced significant opposition from abortion rights opponents, with several states pushing to restrict its use through federal courts.
The study, published in NEJM Evidence, involved 133 women who were up to nine weeks pregnant. Participants took a 60 milligram dose of ulipristal acetate, the active ingredient in the emergency contraceptive Ella, followed by misoprostol 24 hours later. The combination was effective in inducing abortion for 97% of the women, matching the success rate of the traditional mifepristone-misoprostol regimen. Only four participants required additional procedures or medications to complete the abortion.
The dosage of ulipristal acetate used in the study is twice the amount typically found in the Ella pill, which is currently marketed as an emergency contraceptive. The makers of Ella emphasize that it is not designed to end an existing pregnancy, but rather to prevent pregnancy if taken within five days after unprotected sex.
This promising research may have significant implications as mifepristone faces legal challenges. Dr. Beverly Winikoff, the lead author of the study and president of Gynuity Health Projects, highlighted the importance of having alternatives. “At least now we would have an alternative,” Winikoff said. “It’s better to have more options available.”
However, concerns have been raised about how these findings might be interpreted by abortion opponents. Dr. Daniel Grossman, a reproductive health expert at the University of California, San Francisco, cautioned that the results could be used to target emergency contraception. “I’m really worried that these results could be misapplied by anti-abortion activists to try to further their assault on contraception,” Grossman warned. He praised the study but called for more research before ulipristal acetate is widely prescribed for abortion.
This research brings hope to those seeking alternatives to mifepristone in the event that its availability continues to be restricted. The findings, however, highlight the ongoing need for careful consideration in the application of new medical practices, particularly amid politically charged debates over reproductive health.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a study published in NEJM Evidence and is not intended to serve as medical advice. Individuals seeking information on medication abortion or contraception should consult a healthcare professional.
