Cholesterol drug studied as abortion pill alternative
NCT ID NCT05342974
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This pilot study tested whether the cholesterol drug atorvastatin, followed by misoprostol, can safely and effectively end an early pregnancy. Nine participants at 35-49 days of pregnancy took atorvastatin daily for a week, then misoprostol. Researchers used ultrasounds and blood tests to see if the pregnancy stopped or passed. The study is complete, but results are not yet reported.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- atorvastatin and misoprostol
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new medication abortion option without mifepristone.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-phase pilot study with only 9 participants. It may not work, and participants may still need a surgical procedure to complete the abortion.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
-
9 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Apr 2022
- Finished
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Jan 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 50 years
- Sex
-
Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18 years or older * A pregnancy confirmed as 35-49 days gestational age through transvaginal ultrasound * Seeking termination of pregnancy * Speak English or Spanish * Willing to potentially delay abortion for 1-2 weeks * Willing and able to comply with study protocol and accept that the study regimen may not successfully terminate the pregnancy thus a uterine aspiration would be required to complete the abortion. * Willing to delay contraception until completion of abortion Exclusion Criteria: * People with pregnancy over 49 days gestational age * Twin or higher multiple pregnancy * Medical contraindications to medical abortion per the mifepristone U.S. Food and Drug Administration label * Confirmed or suspected ectopic pregnancy * Vaginal bleeding in current pregnancy * Pregnancy of unknown location * IUD or contraceptive implant in place * History of allergy to atorvastatin or misoprostol * History of myositis * Currently taking or planning on taking medications during the study that interact with HMG co-A reductase inhibitors (e.g., diltiazem, erythromycin, azoles, gemfibrozil or another fibrate) * Unable to return for clinic-based follow-up * Currently breastfeeding * Already taking an HMG co-A reductase inhibitor \[37\] or plan to take one outside the study drug during the trial (Fluvastatin, lovastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin or rosuvastatin. * Unable to swallow pills
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Planned Parenthood Association of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84102, United States
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