US FDA says one abortion pill death unrelated

One of two recent deaths of women taking the abortion pill RU-486 was unrelated to an abortion or use of the drug, but the second case is still under investigation, U.S. regulators said on Monday.

The woman in the second case showed symptoms of infection, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said. Both cases were reported in March.

RU-486, also known as Mifeprex or mifepristone, is approved for terminating a pregnancy of 49 days or less. Another drug, misoprostol, is given two days later to complete the abortion.

“Of the two most recent deaths ... one has been determined to be unrelated to an abortion or to the use of Mifeprex and misoprostol and the other, with symptoms of infection, continues to be under investigation,” the FDA said in a statement.

Four other previously reported deaths were linked to complications from a bacterial infection that developed after the women took the abortion pill. The FDA has not attributed them to the drug, sold by privately held Danco Laboratories.

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