Abortion Pill

When can you take the Abortion Pill?

The Abortion Pill, used to end an early pregnancy, is given in the first 9 weeks of pregnancy, counting from the first day of your last menstrual period. However, you’ll first need to make sure you’re pregnant by taking a pregnancy test followed by a confirmation ultrasound to accurately date your pregnancy. The ultrasound determines the gestational age of the embryo.

The Abortion Pill is a non-surgical medical abortion that consists of  two medications. Mifepristone is taken first, followed by either misoprostol or methotrexate a few days later. Mifepristone stops the production of progesterone needed for the fetus to grow. Misoprostol or methotrexate causes the uterus to contract and expel all the fetal tissue from the pregnancy. 

Generally, the first pill, mifepristone, also known as the Abortion Pill or RU486, is a synthetic steroid. Some women experience light nausea from the hormonal impact of the drug. In contrast, the second pill, misoprostol, always causes strong period-like cramping to expel the embryo. Depending on your body and how advanced your pregnancy is, these cramps may be moderate to intense and can last for hours or more than a day.

Typically, most women have heavy bleeding for at least several hours. At some point, the bleeding will lessen and become more like a normal period. This bleeding can continue for up to a week, and most women experience further, irregular bleeding or spotting for the next several weeks or months. You may also pass small or large clots, and see tissue, in addition to blood. This is an expected part of passing the pregnancy.  

The side effects are painful cramping and bleeding. In some cases, women also experience nausea, low fever, dizziness and pelvic pain. Be aware, these are not all the possible side effects. In addition, many women feel varied emotional effects, such as grief, depression, and mood swings.

While the pill is one of the best-known options for an unexpected pregnancy, it’s definitely not your only choice.

The pills taken orally are administered by you. Serious and sometimes fatal infections and bleeding can occur. Because of the risks of serious complications Mifepristone is available only through a restricted program, Mifeprex Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS). Your doctor will give you a MEDICATION GUIDE to read and a PATIENT AGREEMENT to sign. Talk to your doctor about the serious risks.

Though they sound similar, the Abortion Pill is very different from the Morning After pill. The Morning After pill is available from drugstores and pharmacies without a prescription, and it is only effective before you become pregnant. This is why the Morning After pill is also referred to as “emergency contraception.” In contrast, the Abortion Pill is only available with a prescription from a doctor and can only be taken under medical supervision.

If you’ve recently taken the Abortion Pill (mifepristone/RU-486) and you have regrets about your decision, it may not be too late to reverse it. Recent studies show some success with reversing the effects of the pill by using the treatment of progesterone; however, only if it’s done within 24-48 hours of taking the first pill. Click here to read more about Abortion Pill Reversal.