But anti-abortion advocates disagree.
According to Dr. Joe DeCook, a spokesman for the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG), at the doses recommended, ulipristal will not suppress ovulation but will, rather, "block the lining of the uterus from receiving progesterone, which makes it dysfunctional. It will not then support life."
"Life starts when the egg is fertilized. You have a complete genetic human being in a progressive growth stage just like you or me, just smaller than us and less developed," he added. "Ulipristal purposely causes the death of a complete human being, albeit very small and very early. We don't believe it is correct to purposely kill an innocent unborn child, no matter how small."
AAPLOG also has objections on safety grounds, the track record of studies conducted on the pill and, especially, the fact that there is a lack of data on the use of minors using the drug.
An FDA report issued earlier this week found UPA to be safe with no untoward side effects, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP). The FDA's review found the most common side effects to be nausea, headache, uterine pain, abdominal pain, fatigue and dizziness, AFP said.
Other more serious side effects did not seem to be due to the drug, the FDA stated.
At lower doses, UPA is being tested in late clinical trials as a treatment for uterine fibroids, according to Planned Parenthood.
More information
For more on contraception, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
SOURCES: Paul Fine, M.D., medical director, Planne
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