Health Information
Misoprostol for Abortion
What To Think About
Choosing a medical or surgical procedure for an abortion will depend on your past health, how many weeks pregnant you are, what options are available where you live, and your personal preferences.
Misoprostol is not used in women who have an allergy to misoprostol or other prostaglandins.
Misoprostol can cause fetal abnormalities, so a follow-up surgical abortion will be done if the medical abortion did not work.
The use of misoprostol for medical abortion is an unlabeled use. Misoprostol is approved (labeled) for preventing and treating Reference stomach ulcers Opens New Window in people taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on a long-term schedule.
Misoprostol does not have any known drug interactions.
Unlike other prostaglandins, misoprostol does not increase the risk of a Reference heart attack Opens New Window or Reference bronchospasm Opens New Window.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF) 
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| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: August 31, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Rebecca H. Allen, MD, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology Reference Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
