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.

Publications

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.

• Moseson H, Jayaweera R, Baum SE, Gerdts C. How effective is misoprostol alone for medication abortion? NEJM Evidence
• Jayaweera R, Egwuatu I, Nmezi S, Kristianingrum IA, Zurbriggen R, Grosso B, Bercu C, Gerdts C, Moseson H.  Medication abortion safety and effectiveness with misoprostol alone. JAMA Network Open.
• Jayaweera R, Moseson H, Gerdts C. "Misoprostol in the era of COVID-19: A love letter to the original medical abortion pill." Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters.
• Moseson H, Jayaweera R, Egwuatu I, Grosso B, Kristianingrum IA, Nmezi S, Zurbriggen R, Motana R, Bercu C, Carbone S, Gerdts C. Effectiveness of medication abortion with misoprostol alone in the SAFE study: A prospective observational cohort study. The Lancet Global Health.
• Raymond EG, Mark A, Grossman D, Beasley A, Brandi K, Castle J, Creinin MD, Gerdts C, Gil L, Grant M, Lockley A, Perritt J, Shochet T, Truan D, Upadhyay UD. Medication abortion with misoprostol-only: A sample protocol. Contraception.
• Johnson DM, Michels-Gualtieri M,  Gomperts R, Aiken ARA. Safety and effectiveness of self-managed abortion using misoprostol-only acquired from an online telemedicine service in the United States. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health.

Research Briefs

• Misoprostol-only medication abortion is safe and effective (compiled in partnership with the Society of Family Planning)
• Recent evidence on the use of medication abortion with misoprostol-only
• Experiences with misoprostol-only for medication abortion: Considerations when counseling patients on misoprostol-only

SAFE Study​

• Studying Accompaniment model Feasibility & Effectiveness (SAFE) Study
• SAFE Study website

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. 
• Ijeoma Eguwatu, Ruvani Jayaweera, Ika Ayu Kristiangrum, Heidi Moseson. "The effectiveness of self-managed abortion using misoprostol alone." SRHM Podcast.
• Dana Johnson. Terri-Ann Thompson. "Without Roe,  abortion pills are more important than ever. We must remove barriers." Ms. Magazine.