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What Is Medication Abortion?
Medication abortion, sometimes called the “abortion pill” or “medical abortion,” is a common, safe, and effective way to end a pregnancy or manage a miscarriage. It is one or two drugs that cause the uterus to cramp and empty the contents by bleeding.
It is an option for most people up to about 11 weeks of pregnancy (counted from the first day of your last period).
To receive a medication abortion, you first need to take a test to confirm you are pregnant. For most patients, more testing before a medication abortion, including ultrasound, is not required. You can get medication abortion through an in-person or a telehealth visit. A prescription for medication abortion can be picked up at the clinic, some pharmacies, or the pills can be mailed to you. The pills can be safely and effectively taken at home or wherever you are staying.
Self-managed abortion is when you end your own pregnancy without talking with an abortion provider first. Self-managed abortion using medication abortion is legal in Washington, but your legal and medical risks are specific to you and might depend on things like how far along you are in your pregnancy, or which state you live in.
If you have questions about self-managed abortion and want to understand your legal risk, contact the Repro Legal Helpline (844-868-2812).
Visit our Find a Provider page to find a trusted medication abortion provider.
About Medication Abortion
There are two common methods for medication abortion – taking mifepristone and misoprostol or just taking misoprostol.
Mifepristone and Misoprostol
The most common medication abortion method recommended by providers includes:
- Mifepristone, a drug that blocks a hormone needed for pregnancy.
- Misoprostol, a drug that causes the uterus to cramp and bleed.
Learn more about how to use mifepristone and misoprostol.
Misoprostol Only
If mifepristone is unavailable, misoprostol can be used on its own to end a pregnancy.
Learn more about how to use misoprostol only.
You will need to take a pregnancy test no sooner than four to five weeks after taking the medication to make sure it worked. If you take a pregnancy test sooner, you may receive a false positive (the test will show you are pregnant when you may not be).
For more information on medication abortion and what to expect, visit Bedsider and Planned Parenthood.
After a Medication Abortion
Pain, cramps, and vaginal bleeding over several days are expected during the medication abortion process. On the day they take misoprostol some people also experience:
- Fever
- Nausea (feeling sick)
- Vomiting (throwing up)
- Diarrhea (the runs)
This can be uncomfortable, unpleasant, or painful for up to a few days, but the strongest side effects only last a few hours.
Contact your abortion provider if it’s been more than 24 hours since taking misoprostol and you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- No bleeding
- A lot of bleeding (soaking two maxi pads an hour for two hours)
- Fever higher than 100.4 F (38 C)
- Chills (feeling cold or shivering)
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (feeling sick, throwing up, or having the runs)
- Pain that is getting worse or that isn’t going away with over-the-counter pain medications
- If you are unclear on any of these symptoms or feel concerned
You have the right to receive medical treatment for complications after a medication abortion, at any hospital that you go to.
If you have questions or need support through your medication abortion, you can call or text the Miscarriage + Abortion Hotline (833-246-2632).
Medication Abortion Is Safe
Clinical evidence shows, and leading medical and scientific organizations agree, that medication abortion is safe and effective.
Abortion does not make you more likely to have breast cancer, depression, or infertility (not being able to have children). Complications are rare but you should talk with a health care provider about your health risks. You can find more answers to questions about your health and abortion care from ACOG.