Misoprostol only resource hub

Medication abortion with misoprostol only is one of two safe, highly effective, WHO-recommended regimens for medication abortion. Our SAFE Study and other findings support a renewed look at misoprostol-only regimens for medication abortion, no longer as a second-tier method, but one that offers similar effectiveness, and often greater accessibility, than the mifepristone + misoprostol regimen.  

Research

Ibis research shows that misoprostol only is highly effective, and more effective than previously thought.

According to data from our SAFE Study, 93.8% of those who used the mifepristone + misoprostol regimen had a complete abortion without surgical intervention, while 98.8% of those who used the misoprostol-only regimen had a complete abortion without surgical intervention. Findings from the first study on self-managed abortion with misoprostol only in the United States reflect this data, with 88% overall effectiveness and 97.8% effectiveness among known outcomes.

Additionally, misoprostol only is less costly, carries fewer restrictions for use, and can be offered by a wider cadre of providers.

• Misoprostol-only medication abortion is safe and effective (compiled in partnership with the Society of Family Planning)
• Medication abortion with misoprostol-only: A sample protocol
• Studying Accompaniment model Feasibility & Effectiveness (SAFE) Study
• SAFE Study website
• Safety and effectiveness of self-managed abortion using misoprostol only acquired from an online telemedicine service in the United States

• Recent evidence on the use of medication abortion with misoprostol only

Media

• Dana Johnson. "A new battle in the war on abortion pills." The New York Times.
• Caitlin Gerdts, Ruvani Jayaweera, Carrie N. Baker. "Let’s talk about misoprostol—the original abortion pill." Ms. Magazine. 
• Ruvani Jayaweera, Heidi Moseson, Caitlin Gerdts. "Misoprostol in the era of COVID-19: A love letter to the original medical abortion pill." Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters.
• Ijeoma Eguwatu, Ruvani Jayaweera, Ika Ayu Kristiangrum, Heidi Moseson. "The effectiveness of self-managed abortion using misoprostol alone." SRHM Podcast.