More private physicians offering medical abortions: a total of 139 adverse events reported. (Mifeprex Sales up 33%).

DENVER -- At least 80,000 women underwent medical abortion during the 18 months following Food and Drug Administration approval of mifepristone in September 2000, resulting in termination of pregnancy in more than 95% of cases.

That finding was reported at the annual meeting of the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals.

A reassuringly low rate of adverse events (

Sales of the drug increased 33% in the first 6 months of 2002, compared with 2001, Ms. O'Neill said. Since providers order Mifeprex directly from the manufacturer, the company can track what types of providers are relying on it.

Although Planned Parenthood clinics and abortion providers associated with the National Abortion Federation are the highest-volume providers of medical abortion, "many, many private physicians" are now offering the service, and the number is growing, she said.

Among 139 reported adverse events with Mifeprex, 29 have involved hospitalization of a patient.

Thirteen women have required multiple unit transfusions, most more than 10 days after the two-step process, which involves taking mifepristone orally and then, several days later, using misoprostol vaginally