Women wanting to terminate a pregnancy without surgery now have another option. Mifeprex, a pill that ends pregnancy early, is now available at the Central Ohio Women’s Center.

Officials said Mifeprex has been used in other countries for almost 12 years, but was just authorized for use in the United States.

“It has been used in Europe since 1988 in more than 18 countries,” said Stephanie Tresso, spokeswoman for the Central Ohio Women’s Center.

“Mifeprex was approved in September 2000 by the FDA,” said Kathleen Murphy, spokeswoman for the Central Ohio Woman’s Center.

The delay in release was caused by the time it takes to test and introduce new medicines to the public.

“It takes a little bit of time to wrap up (testing), and it takes time to get to the marketplace,” Tresso said.

Mifeprex blocks the hormone progesterone, and is followed by a medicine called Misoprostol, terminating the pregnancy, Murphy said.

The Central Ohio Women’s Center requires women who take Mifeprex visit the center three times. The first visit is required by state law. At this visit the woman receives educational information about her pregnancy options.

These options include adoption, continuing the pregnancy and abortion, Tresso said. She added that the second visit occurs 24 hours later, when the woman receives the medication. The third visit is two weeks later to verify that the woman is no longer pregnant.

“With Mifeprex, women can actively participate in their own care and have more privacy and control over their bodies. It is an option for ending early pregnancy in pill form,” said Jane Ackley, board chair of the Central Ohio Women’s Center, in a written statement.

Mifeprex and Misoprostol are 92 to 95 percent effective, Tresso said.

Mifeprex is only for women in the earliest stages of pregnancy. It is for women who have not had their menstrual period in the last 49 days, Murphy said.

“Women should be in good general health,” Murphy said. She added Mifeprex is not recommended for women who have a pregnancy out of the uterus, take blood thinners, allergies or other health problems.

Officials are aware of any side effects or problems that have been reported, Tresso said.

The cost of the treatment is about $425, Murphy said.

“Mifeprex is a safe and effective option for women and gives them a way to participate in their own health care,” Tresso said.

The Central Ohio Women’s Center is located at 3255 E. Main St.