Mifepristone vs. RU486 - Which to Choose for Abortion

When encountering an unexpected pregnancy, getting access to accurate information to manage the conception, and probably end it, is important. Some of the medicines for medical abortions are Mifepristone and RU-486 pills. However, are these two medicines just different names, or are they the same? In this blog, we will clear this confusion by noting the distinctions and similarities between the two.

However, the truth is that RU486 and Mifepristone are both trusted and effective for early pregnancy termination. Knowing how these medicines work will allow you to care for your reproductive health better.

Are Mifepristone and RU-486 the Same Pills?

RU-486 and Mifepristone are the same type of medication. Mifepristone is the generic name of the medication, which was later authorized for medical abortion and is currently in use globally. RU-486 is the original name assigned to the medication during its development in the 1980s by a French pharmaceutical company, Roussel-Uclaf. Although "RU-486" may still be used in some contexts.

If you are buying abortion pills online today, you are getting Mifepristone, even though some people still call it RU-486 informally. In other words, they are the same, and there is no reason for any confusion when selecting between the two. You can go ahead and take any – Mifepristone or RU-486, it will not cause any major difference.

How Mifepristone (a.k.a. RU-486) Works?

The first of two pills used in a medical abortion is Mifepristone; the second tablet is Misoprostol. Progesterone, a hormone required to sustain a pregnancy, is blocked by Mifepristone. The uterine lining starts to degrade in the absence of progesterone, which ends the pregnancy. Misoprostol (given 24–48 hours later) stimulates the uterus to contract and discharge the pregnancy tissue. When taken correctly with Misoprostol, Mifepristone has a 95–98% success rate and is commonly used in pregnancies up to 10 weeks or, at maximum, 12 weeks.

Side effects are the same regardless of the pill you take. These include (when combined with Misoprostol) cause temporary nausea, cramping, bleeding, mild fever or chills. It is rare to experience severe complications, but it may include excessive bleeding, incomplete pregnancy termination, or infection in less than 1% of cases. In both cases, the medication is considered safer than childbirth, including the World Health Organization (WHO).

What’s in a Name? Comparing Branding and Access

Although Mifepristone and RU-486 both refer to the same active component, the names may vary depending on the product's location and method of sale. The RU-486 abortion pill is usually mentioned in publications, research materials, and scholarly articles. It is more of a legacy name and may show up on online providers of medical abortion pills. You may even see mention of Generic RU486, which is also a cost-effective alternative.

Approved and controlled in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and many other countries, Mifepristone is the official medical and generic name used for anti-progesterone abortion pills. It may be marketed under brand names such as Mifeprex in the United States or Mifegyne in Europe. So, whether you take "RU-486" or "Mifepristone," you are nonetheless taking the same medication. The only difference lies in the terminology and branding of these medications.

Mifepristone/RU-486 vs. Misoprostol-Only Abortion

Due to lack of awareness, many women think Mifepristone 200mg or RU486 pills are enough to complete the abortion process. However, Mifepristone is just the first medication in the entire procedure. A typical medical abortion follows oral intake of RU486 with water on day one. Then you begin with the second pill – Misoprostol either buccally or vaginally, after 24 to 48 hours. You may need at least 4 Misoprostol 200mcg pills if the pregnancy is within 6 weeks, 4 more if the pregnancy is within 6 to 10 weeks, and 12 pills in total if the pregnancy is between 10 and 12 weeks.

While the job of Mifepristone is to shed the endometrial lining and block progesterone, it can only expel the conception products when you use Misoprostol pills to cause uterine contractions, dilate the cervix, and empty the uterus. You can always use only Misoprostol pills for the entire medical abortion. However, the efficacy of Misoprostol alone is a little lower than the combined use of Mifepristone / RU486 and Misoprostol abortion pills.

What to Use in Abortion – Mifepristone or Ru486 Pills?