About Medication Abortion
Medication abortion is the process of ending a pregnancy using two medications (mifepristone and misoprostol). The same pills are used for early pregnancy loss or miscarriage.
How do I take the abortion pills?
- Step 1: Swallow the first pill (mifepristone) when you are ready.
- Step 2: Take the misoprostol pills 24-48 hours after taking mifepristone. Put 2 pills inside each cheek (4 pills total). Wait 30 minutes for the pills to dissolve. Then swish with water and swallow.
- Always follow your doctor’s instructions.
How do these medicines work?
Mifepristone works by blocking a hormone needed for a pregnancy to continue. Misoprostol works by causing muscle contractions in the uterus, causing the pregnancy to be passed from your uterus. These medications are used together to end an early pregnancy. An early pregnancy means 70 days (10 weeks) or less since your last menstrual period began.
How well does it work?
When used together, the pregnancy will end for about 97 out of 100 people who take these medications. If you think you may still be pregnant after using the medicine, call your doctor.
What should I expect after taking the pills?
- Bleeding and cramps will start within a few hours of taking misoprostol. Usually this means the medicine is working to pass the pregnancy.
- Bleeding and cramps will be heavier than your regular period. You may see blood clots and tissue as the pregnancy is passed from your uterus.
- Bleeding might start after taking mifepristone and before taking misoprostol. Most people pass the pregnancy within 2 to 24 hours after taking misoprostol.
- You might have nausea, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, fever, or chills.
- Do not take any more pain pills than your doctor recommended. You can take an over-the-counter medicine for diarrhea, if needed.
What else should I know?
- These medications work within hours, so be prepared for cramping and bleeding with pads.
- It is best to take these medications when you will have a couple of days to stay home and rest.
- Vaginal bleeding is normal for 9 to 16 days after using these medications. Some people experience spotting for as long as 30 days.
- Make sure to follow up with your doctor 7 – 14 days after you take mifepristone. Your doctor will make sure you are feeling well and that the pregnancy has passed from your uterus. If the pregnancy has not passed, your doctor will talk to you about a surgical procedure to end the pregnancy.
When should I call my doctor or get medical attention?
- If you have bleeding that soaks 2 full-sized pads per hour for 2 hours in a row.
- If you have a general feeling of illness, weakness, or discomfort for more than 24 hours after STEP 2.
- If you have a fever over 101 °F or fever over 100.4 °F that lasts for more than 4 hours.
- If you have little or no bleeding, if you do not believe the pregnancy has passed, or if you still have pregnancy symptoms 7 days after taking misoprostol.
- If you have pain that does not get better after taking pain medicine or severe pain in your belly or abdomen.