Abortion Pill
How Does the Abortion Pill Work?
The abortion pill consists of two different medications: mifepristone and misoprostol. This two-drug regimen works by interrupting the pregnancy process and causing the uterus to expel the developing embryo.
First Medication: Mifepristone
Mifepristone is taken first, usually in an abortion clinic. This medication reduces the amount of the hormone progesterone to the embryo. This hormone helps keep the pregnancy going. Without it, the embryo stops growing.[1]
Progesterone is essential for preparing and maintaining the uterine lining that supports the developing embryo. Without a steady supply of progesterone, the embryo stops growing and eventually dies.[2]
Second Medication: Misoprostol
Misoprostol is taken 24-48 hours after mifepristone, often at home. This medication causes the uterus to contract and cramp. This helps it expel the fetus and pregnancy tissue, ending the pregnancy.[3]
What to Expect When You Take the Abortion Pill
Here’s a typical timeline for the abortion pill:
- Mifepristone is taken first, followed by misoprostol 24–48 hours later.
- Cramping and bleeding start within 2-24 hours of taking misoprostol.[4] For most women, this process finishes within a day, but it can take longer for some. Everybody is different, so the exact timing varies.[5]
- Bleeding can begin as early as 2 hours after taking misoprostol.[6]
- Heavy bleeding may last a few hours, with lighter bleeding or spotting for 9–16 days. In some cases, spotting can continue for up to a month.[7]
When to Seek Emergency Care
Contact emergency medical services immediately if you experience[8]:
- Heavy bleeding: Soaking through two pads hourly for two hours or more.
- Ongoing sickness: Severe stomach pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea for longer than 24 hours after taking misoprostol may indicate an infection or ectopic pregnancy.
- Fever: A temperature of 100.4°F or higher for more than 4 hours after taking misoprostol.
These signs could mean complications like infection or incomplete abortion, which need immediate medical treatment.
How Late Can You Take the Abortion Pill?
The abortion pill is only FDA-approved for pregnancies up to 10 weeks (70 days) from your last menstrual period.[9]
If you take the abortion pill later in your pregnancy, the risk of serious complications increases significantly. This is why determining accurate gestational age and viability through ultrasound is so important before considering any abortion procedure.
How Effective is the Abortion Pill?
The abortion pill successfully ends a pregnancy in about 95-98% of cases when within the proper timeframe.[10] However, this means that it can fail in 2-5% of cases.
Women may need additional treatment, which may include surgical intervention.
Is the Abortion Pill Legal in My State?
Abortion laws vary significantly from state to state, and these laws are constantly changing.
To see if the abortion pill is legal in your state, click the button below. You will find the latest information about your state’s laws.
Can I Get Abortion Pills Over the Counter?
No, you cannot get abortion pills over the counter at any pharmacy or retail location. A provider or physician certified to prescribe abortion pills must give a prescription. This requirement exists because medical abortion requires proper medical supervision and follow-up care.[16]
The FDA allows some pharmacies to dispense the abortion pill. This is only with a prescription from a certified provider.[17] The prescription requirement ensures that:
- Your pregnancy is confirmed and properly dated
- You don’t have medical conditions that make the abortion pill unsafe for you to take
- You receive proper instructions for taking the medications
- Follow-up care is available to ensure the procedure is complete
Can I Order the Abortion Pill Online?
The FDA strongly advises against ordering abortion pills online from uncertified sources.[18] Many online abortion pill providers operate overseas, so the pills they offer may not meet FDA safety standards.
Risks of Online Abortion Pills
Online abortion pills from uncertified sources could be:
- Counterfeit medications with unknown ingredients
- Expired or improperly stored
- Tampered with
- Incorrect dosages
- Completely fake with no active ingredients
These risks can lead to serious health complications, including incomplete abortion, severe bleeding, infection, or continued pregnancy.
Why You Need an Ultrasound Before an Abortion
Before considering any abortion procedure, including the abortion pill, an ultrasound provides crucial information for your health and safety:
Confirming Pregnancy
Home pregnancy tests can sometimes show false positives because of certain medications, medical conditions, or user error. An ultrasound provides definitive confirmation of pregnancy.
Determining Gestational Age
Accurate dating is essential because the abortion pill is only FDA-approved for pregnancies up to 10 weeks. An ultrasound gives the best estimate of gestational age. This may be different from calculations based on your last period.
Ruling Out Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the embryo implants outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tubes.
This condition poses a life-threatening risk and doctors cannot treat it with abortion pills. An ultrasound can identify ectopic pregnancies that require immediate medical attention.
Identifying Other Complications
An ultrasound can show other problems like ovarian cysts, fibroids, or conditions that may change treatment options. It can also show if you need more medical care.
Schedule Your Free Mobile Ultrasound Today
When your pregnancy test comes back positive, it can be easy to panic. Don’t let fear make the final decision for you. Take time to gather all the information you need to make an empowered choice.
Get the care and support you deserve at one of our mobile medical units. We provide free pregnancy resources, so you can make an informed decision about your unplanned pregnancy:
Our Free Services Include:
- Free pregnancy tests – Confirm your pregnancy with medical-grade testing
- Free mobile ultrasounds – Determine gestational age and confirm pregnancy viability
- A safe, non-judgmental place to explore your pregnancy options and process your emotions
- Compassionate support from trained staff who understand what you’re going through
- Resource connections to help you access additional support services
- Information about all your options including parenting and adoption resources
Our mobile medical units bring services right to your community. This makes it easier for you to get the care you need and deserve.
Click the button below to schedule a free appointment at a mobile medical unit today.
Other Abortion Pill Information
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If you're considering a medication abortion (commonly called the abortion pill), you need to understand three things: Cytotec (and how it works) The potential complications and risks The importance of pregnancy confirmation This information is crucial for making an...
Everything You Need to Know About At-Home Abortion
If you're facing an unplanned pregnancy, you've likely heard the term "at-home abortion." You may be wondering how it works. You might have questions about your options. And you're probably asking yourself if it's the right choice for you. We understand that this is a...
Can You Order the Abortion Pill by Mail?
If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, you may be considering ordering the abortion pill by mail. But, as with any medication or procedure, there are many things to consider before you take abortion pills. Keep reading to learn more.States Where Abortion is Illegal...
Please be aware that ICU Mobile does not provide or refer for abortion services. We are dedicated to giving you accurate information and helpful care. This will assist you in making the best choice for your situation.
- FDA. (2025, February 11). Questions and Answers on Mifeprex. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex
- See source #1.
- See source #1.
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2024, November 15). Mifepristone (Mifeprex). MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html
- Mayo Clinic. (2025, February 1). Mifepristone (oral route). https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/mifepristone-oral-route/description/drg-20067123
- See source #4.
- See source #4.
- Mayo Clinic. (2022, July 29). Medical Abortion. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
- See source #1.
- Fjerstad M, Sivin I, Lichtenberg ES, Trussell J, Cleland K, Cullins V. Effectiveness of medical abortion with mifepristone and buccal misoprostol through 59 gestational days. Contraception. 2009;80(3):282–286. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3766037/
- See source #4.
- Shin, Hyun Joo, et al. “Anaphylactic Shock to Vaginal Misoprostol: A Rare Adverse Reaction to a Frequently Used Drug.” PubMed Central (PMC), 9 Aug. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6137020
- FDA. (2019, July). Prescribing Information for Mifeprex. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/022348s014lbl.pdf
- See source #8.
- See source #4.
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2025, January 17). Mifeprex (Mifepristone). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information
- See source #16.
- See source #16.
