ASSESSING THE SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF ABORTIFACIENT DRUGS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PHARMACEUTICAL PROTOCOLS

Abstract

Background: Abortion is a significant reproductive healthcare topic that elicits diverse opinions and calls for comprehensive research to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals seeking pregnancy termination. Aims: This cross- sectional study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of different pharmaceutical protocols used for medical abortions in District Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan. Methods: A sample of 140 individuals who had undergone medical abortions within a specified time frame was recruited from healthcare facilities and reproductive health clinics. Data were collected through face-to- face interviews using structured questionnaires, and descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the demographic characteristics of participants and key outcomes of interest. Results: The results revealed that the combination of mifepristone and misoprostol had the highest success rate (88%), followed by misoprostol alone (76%) and methotrexate (58%). These findings highlighted the effectiveness of mifepristone-misoprostol in inducing successful abortions. The study also identified demographic patterns among participants, with a majority belonging to the 18-30 age group, having a graduate level of education, and residing in urban areas. Conclusion: These findings contributed to the existing knowledge on abortifacient drugs used in medical abortions and have implications for clinical practice and public health policy. Further research using longitudinal designs and random sampling methods is recommended to enhance the understanding of these pharmaceutical protocols