A systematic analysis of the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System ( AERS ) has been performed to assess morbidity and mortality of the abortion drug Mifepristone ( Mifeprex, RU-486 ).
This first published analysis of the FDA's Mifepristone reports describes 607 adverse events reported over a 4-year period, including fatalities resulting from bleeding or septic shock.

Reviewed are numerous reports of severe bleeding, infection, unsuccessful termination of pregnancy, and fetal malformations that appeared after failed abortion attempts.

Reports also detail ruptured ectopic pregnancies, a potentially fatal condition requiring emergency surgical intervention.

Unusual allergic reactions were also noted.

Prompted by their findings, the authors call for increased research into the allergic and fatal septic reactions associated with Mifepristone.
They also urge that ultrasound imaging be performed before use of the drug to rule out ectopic pregnancies and propose that a fetal registry be established to track birth defects in Mifepristone survivors.

At least 5 women in the US and Canada are known to have died from septic shock after taking Mifepristone.

In 2004, the labeling of Mifepristone was amended to include a black box warning about bacterial infections, sepsis, and death that may occur after use.

Source: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 2005


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