Medical abortion

Termination of pregnancy with mifepristone–misoprostol combination up to 12 weeks of gestation. Per WHO 2022, efficacy with proper use is 95–98 %. Alternatives — vacuum aspiration and curettage.

ICD-10 O041 drug

Drugs used for this condition

AMifepristoneFirst line · Antiprogestins, selective progesterone receptor modulatorsFirst-line for medical abortion per WHO 2022, ACOG 2020, RCOG 2015. Standard regimen – mifepristone 200 mg orally, then misoprostol 800 mcg buccally, sublingually, or vaginally 24–48 hours later. Up to 9 weeks: 95–98 % efficacy; 9–12 weeks: up to 95 % with possible repeat misoprostol doses. After 12 weeks – higher-dose regimens or surgical methods. Alternative – vacuum aspiration. WHO classifies medical abortion as primary care and supports access.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit