Peer-Reviewed Article Debunks “Abortion Drugs Are Safer Than Tylenol” Claim

The decades-long claim, promoted by the abortion lobby, is a faulty comparison not backed by science

Washington D.C.—The Charlotte Lozier Institute (CLI) released a new pivotal peer-reviewed article published in the journal BioTech. This article challenges and disproves the baseless claim that “abortion drugs are safer than Tylenol” because it lacks scientific credibility and evidence. It examines the prolific claim that has been a heavily relied upon talking point for the abortion lobby.

The new research exposes the claim’s origins and highlights the abortion lobby’s ignorance of the FDA’s established drug safety communication standards. Comparisons between the two drugs combine unrelated data, ignoring their distinct purposes, risks and contexts. This oversimplification led to the creation of a catchy phrase aimed at reducing abortion drug regulations and minimizing concerns from women considering an abortion.

Key Findings:

• Flawed methodology: To validate the claim, there must be a controlled, scientifically appropriate study comparing abortion drugs to Tylenol. No such study exists, and it would be impossible to do so because these drugs are used for entirely different purposes.
• Overlooked risks: The FDA assesses drug safety based on a range of factors, not just death rates. The comparison ignores serious adverse events of abortion drugs, such as sepsis and hemorrhage.
• Context misrepresentation: While Tylenol-related deaths often result from misuse in a much larger user base, deaths from abortion drugs occur under prescribed use.

Cameron Louttit, Ph.D., director of life sciences at CLI and author of the article, said:

“For years now, the abortion lobby’s claim that abortion drugs are ‘safer than Tylenol’ has dominated public discussion, propelled by the illusion of scientific consensus. However, no such support exists. This baseless claim, repeated by medical societies, politicians, media pundits and researchers, has profoundly influenced public opinion and policy. But as this paper details, those spreading it lack the evidence they routinely claim.”

To learn more, read the peer-reviewed article in its entirety HERE.

Charlotte Lozier Institute was launched in 2011 as the education and research arm of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. CLI is a hub for research and public policy analysis on some of the most pressing issues facing the United States and nations around the world. The Institute is named for a feminist physician known for her commitment to the sanctity of human life and equal career and educational opportunities for women.

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