Abortifacients: toxidromes, ancient to modern--a case series and review of the literature.

Between 1998 and 1999, four women presented to an emergency department after having attempted a nonmedical abortion. All four reported turning to pharmacologically induced abortion because their access to health care was limited by lack of insurance and resources. These cases serve as a reminder that self-induced abortion remains a significant health problem for women, a problem that emergency physicians as toxicologists should be aware of.