Doctors are warning women that the abortion pill which is currently being sold on the streets of downtown Kingston is dangerous and can have lifelong effects.

One doctor with whom THE STAR spoke said a young woman who had taken a dose of the pills had to be rushed to hospital recently, after she developed serious complications.

side effects

The drug, Cytotec, is usually used to prevent and treat stomach conditions, especially ulcers that may be caused from taking medications like aspirin or ibuprofen. One side effect of the pill, however, is that it can induce an abortion in pregnant women.

THE STAR was told the pill is being sold on Princess Street in the commercial district, as well as on other streets.Customers are instructed to take three tablets and then to insert two inside the vagina.

Dr Jepthah Ford told THE STAR the drug induces bleeding in pregnant women, but does not in every case, effect a full abortion. He said: "There is a host of risks. Primary is the risk for a woman to lose her womb and become infertile. There is also the risk of *lo** clots and septicimia (the presence of bacteria in the *lo**)."

bad odour

Another physician told THE STAR about a young woman who had to be rushed to hospital after taking the abortion pill. He said the woman had taken a dose, bled for a few days and then took another dose. She reportedly began to experience a bad odour coming from her vagina and sought medical attention. The doctor said, "She had to be taken to the hospital, where they put her to sleep and cleaned her out."

THE STAR was informed that the drug is a prescription drug and should not be sold over the counter or on the street.

Efforts to contact a representative from the Ministry of Health were unsuccesful.