Study finds possible alternative abortion pill

Mifepristone, used in two-thirds of U.S. abortions, has been 'under attack by abortion opponents' since Roe v. Wade was struck down

(Image credit: Thierry Monasse / Getty Images)

By Peter Weber, The Week US

published 24 January 2025

What happened

Researchers reported Thursday that a 60 milligram dose of ulipristal acetate, the active ingredient in the prescription emergency contraceptive Ella, appeared to be as safe and effective at ending a pregnancy as the abortion medication mifepristone.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Mifepristone, "now used in two-thirds of U.S. abortions," has been "under attack by abortion opponents" since Roe v. Wade was struck down, the AP said, and the new study "may make emergency contraception a target" as well. Drugmaker Perrigo said the prescribed 30 mg dose of Ella prevents but cannot end pregnancies. The "much more widely used morning-after pill" Plan B "contains a different drug and does not work in a way that would terminate a pregnancy, according to scientific evidence," The New York Times said.

Explore More

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.