Some medications like Arthrotec, Lipitor and Isotretinoin are contraindicated during pregnancy because they have teratogenic effects that can lead to miscarriage or cause serious changes in the baby.
Misoprostol, sold commercially as Cytotec or Citotec, is the medicine used by doctors in hospitals when abortion is allowed. This medicine can not be marketed in pharmacies, and is restricted to hospitals only.
Remedies that can also cause miscarriage or fetal malformations and therefore can not be used during pregnancy are:
| Arthrotec | Prostokos | Mifepristone |
| Isotretinoin | Lipitor | Radioactive iodine |
| High doses of Aspirin | RU-486 | Cytotec |
Other medications that are potentially abortifacient and which can only be used under medical advice when their benefits outweigh the risk of miscarriage are Amitriptyline, Phenobarbital, Valproate, Cortisone, Methadone, Doxorubicin, Enalapril, and others with D or X risk indicated in this package leaflet of such drugs.
See the symptoms that may indicate an Abortion.
When abortion is allowed
Abortion allowed in Brazil must be performed by the doctor inside a Hospital, when one of the following conditions is present:
- Pregnancy due to rape;
- Gestation puts the mother's life at risk or
- When the fetus has a poorly formed fetal incompatible with life after birth, such as anencephaly.
Thus, in order for a woman to have recourse to abortion for any of these situations, it is necessary to present medical documents proving such situations, such as a medical institute's report, police report, judicial authorization and approval by a health commission.
A genetic change in the fetus such as anencephaly, which is when the baby's brain did not form can lead to legal abortion in Brazil, but microcephaly, which is when the baby's brain has not fully developed, does not allow abortion because in the latter case the child can survive outside the womb, even if it needs help developing.
Learn what to do to deal with unwanted pregnancy.
