medication abortion

Health & Safety

Here's what really happened during the abortion drug's approval 23 years ago

5:01am April 14, 2023

by Sydney Lupkin

A Texas judge ruled that the Food and Drug Administration wrongly approved mifepristone in 2000 and accused it of doing a rush job. Here's what really went down.

A Texas judge recently ruled on nationwide access to mifepristone.

Share your story: Have you used medication for abortion or miscarriage care?

5:34pm April 13, 2023

by Health Editors

NPR would like to hear from you. With the future of some abortion pills in jeopardy, tell us about your experience using medication to end a pregnancy or treat a miscarriage.

Misoprostol is typically used as part of a two-drug protocol for a medication abortion. But it is also safe and effective when used alone, doctors say.

Health & Safety

Medication abortion is still possible with just one drug. Here's how it works

7:52pm April 10, 2023

by Mara Gordon

A judge's ruling puts access to the abortion drug mifepristone in limbo, pending further court decisions. But there's another drug that is safe and effective at ending early pregnancy.

Queue Listen Now

Mifepristone was approved more than 20 years ago to induce first-trimester abortions in combination with a second drug, misoprostol.

With abortion pill access uncertain, 3 states strike deals to stock up

2:00pm April 10, 2023

by Sarah McCammon

California, Washington state and Massachusetts are stockpiling misoprostol and mifepristone, both of which are used in abortion regimens.

The J. Marvin Jones Federal Building and Mary Lou Robinson United States Courthouse in Amarillo, Texas, where U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk will decide on a lawsuit over the abortion drug mifepristone.

Read the transcript: What happened inside the federal hearing on abortion pills

4:50pm March 17, 2023

by Sarah McCammon

Read the transcript from Wednesday's hearing before Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in a federal case that could decide the future of access to a major abortion pill.

Abortion-rights supporters rally at the Texas State Capitol on Sept. 11, 2021 in Austin, Texas.

National

Texas man sues ex-wife's friends for allegedly helping her get abortion pills

3:13pm March 11, 2023

by Sarah McCammon

A wrongful death lawsuit filed by a Galveston County man accuses three women of helping his ex-wife obtain abortion pills used to terminate her pregnancy last year.

Walgreens announced last week that it'd stop selling mifepristone, a popular abortion pill, in red states. California Gov. Gavin Newsom says his state will cut ties with the pharmacy giant after the move.

California will cut ties with Walgreens over the company's plan to drop abortion pills

3:43pm March 07, 2023

by Emily Olson

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that the state would halt business with Walgreens after the pharmacy giant agreed to stop distributing mifepristone in some red states amid legal pressure.

Misoprostol is currently approved by the FDA for use as an ulcer drug, not as a standalone abortion pill. Doctors already use it off-label for a variety of gynecological purposes beyond abortion, including for IUD insertion and for labor and delivery.

Why an ulcer drug could be the last option for many abortion patients

3:10pm February 24, 2023

by Sarah McCammon

Some abortion providers are looking to misoprostol, a medication widely used around the world, should a federal judge in Texas block access to a key medication abortion option.

Queue Listen Now

In this photo illustration, a person looks at the drug mifepristone on their smartphone.

A Trump-appointed Texas judge could force a major abortion pill off the market

7:11pm February 01, 2023

by Sarah McCammon

A decision is expected soon in a case challenging the FDA's approval of mifepristone, a drug commonly used to induce abortions.

Queue Listen Now

Using telehealth, doctors can prescribe abortion medication to patients who they don't see in person.

Health & Safety

With telehealth abortion, doctors have to learn to trust and empower patients

1:22pm January 17, 2023

by Mara Gordon

Getting abortion medication online is easier than ever thanks to regulatory changes. The practice is pushing the boundaries of the traditional doctor-patient relationship.