Patients must sign a patient agreement and agree to return for subsequent visits. If an alternative protocol is being followed, the patient must sign an agreement for the alternative regimen as well. Mifepristone is not available by prescription. Legal restrictions in regard to abortion vary from state to state but may involve who can perform an abortion, whether there is a waiting period after the patient gives consent and whether or not minors are required to have parental consent or notificiation. There is similar opposition to medical abortion as there is to surgical abortion.
Efforts are under way to try to impose further restrictions on the availability of mifepristone.
The FDA protocol requires three visits. Patients are followed up on Day 14 to determine the completeness of the procedure. Patients will experience bleeding that is usually heavier than a menstrual period and lasts on average 9-16 days. Cramps range from light to very severe and usually start several hours after taking misoprostol. Other side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.