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RU-486 (generic name: Mifepristone) is an anti-progestine pill to revolutionize
the long line of abortifacients or commonly used drug for inducing abortion.
This drug is developed and marketed by French pharmaceutical firm Rouseel
Uclaf, (thus RU). RU 486 prevents the hormone progesterone from doing it's
essential part in the pregnancy process, thickening the uterine wall to
enable the fertilized ovum to attach itself on the wall to continue the
phase of pregnancy. Unlike oral contraceptive pills and injectables that
prevent fertilization, RU 486 works even after fertilization has taken
place, thus giving the moniker "abortion pill,"
First, it's important to distinguish the abortion pill from the "morning-after
pill," which is one of the several 'Emergency Contraception" (EC) methods.
Such methods have been available for many years, the current preferred
drug being a high dose (0.75mg) of the hormone levonorgestrel taken
within 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse. The "abortion pill"
is a different drug. It may be taken after the ovum has fertilized. |
