Abstract
The FDA has approved a chemical abortion regimen of mifepristone and misoprostol since 2000, though recent years have noted progressive loosening of restrictions. Although U.S. chemical abortion complication data is difficult to obtain due to voluntary reporting and other known deficiencies in data collection, better quality international data indicates that complications occur relatively frequently, with 3-8% of women requiring surgical completion. Recent FDA actions removing in-person supervision are likely to increase complications further, due to underestimation of gestational age, missed diagnoses of ectopic pregnancy, failure to test for Rh D factor and provide RhoGAM if indicated, increased potential for coercion, as well as other factors.
