This method of abortion has been available to women in Europe since 1990. The drug methotrexate is given by injection and stops pregnancy. About 1 week later, another drug called misoprostol is given by vaginal suppository and causes the uterus to expel the tissue. About one half of women abort within one day of taking the misoprostol. Others may take several days and a few may require additional doses of misoprostol to expel the tissue.
Medical abortion is legal.
Although not approved for abortions, both methotrexate and misoprostol have been FDA approved for many years for other purposes. Once medication has been tested and approved for one use, it is a legal and medically accepted practice to prescribe it for another use. These drugs have been tested and used to abort pregnancies since the early 1990's. Women choosing this method of abortion must live within 30 miles of Missoula and be accessible by phone. Women may choose medical abortion over surgical abortion for a variety of reasons.