HOW TO USE
ABORTION PILLS
Medication abortion pills are safe and effective. They work 94-99% of the time. These same medications are used to treat a miscarriage.
Abortion And Pain Medication
• MIFEPRISTONE: 1 pill / 200 mg
• MISOPROSTOL: 4 - 16 pills / 200 mcg each
(Check table below for exact amount of pills needed).
For pain medication, EITHER of the options below:
• IBUPROFEN (Advil / Motrin) / 800 mG
• NAPROXEN (Aleve) / 500 mG
When someone is allergic to either Ibuprofen or Naproxen, or if they want additional pain medication, they use:
• ACETAMINOPHEN (Tylenol) / 1000 mg
An IUD may need to be removed before a medication abortion.
Allergies To Certain Medications (Prostaglandins Or Mifepristone)
Blood-Thinning Medications (Except Aspirin)
Long-Term Use Of Corticosteroid Medications
Ectopic Pregnancy
Bleeding disorders
Chronic adrenal failure
Step 1
Swallow Mifepristone with water. (It is safe to split or crush the mifepristone pill and swallow all the pieces if swallowing the pills whole is difficult.)
Most do not feel much at this stage, but bleeding and cramps can happen. Pain medication can be taken at any time if there is cramping.
A provider or our hotline should be called if mifepristone is thrown up/vomited within 30 minutes.
About 10-20% of people start bleeding before the next step, so having pads available can be helpful. Even if there is bleeding and it seems that the pregnancy has passed, it is important to continue with the misoprostol.
An IUD may need to be removed before a medication abortion.
Allergies To Certain Medications (Prostaglandins Or Mifepristone)
Blood-Thinning Medications (Except Aspirin)
Long-Term Use Of Corticosteroid Medications
Ectopic Pregnancy
Bleeding disorders
Chronic adrenal failure
wait 24 - 48 hours
Step 2 (Optional, but recommended)
Swallow pain medication with water. Choose ONE of the options below:
IBUPROFEN (Advil / Motrin) 800 mG / Every 8 hours
NAPROXEN (Aleve) 500 mG / every 12 hours
When someone is allergic to either Ibuprofen or Naproxen, or if they want additional pain medication, they use:
ACETAMINOPHEN (Tylenol) 1000 mG / every 8 hours
If needed, use nausea medication like Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or Ondansetron (Zofran). Anti-nausea and pain medication can be taken at the same time.
Pain medication or anti nausea medication can be taken as needed throughout the process. Vitamin B6 with ginger or mint tea can also help. A heating pad, warm shower, bath, or walking around can help with cramps as well.
An IUD may need to be removed before a medication abortion.
Allergies To Certain Medications (Prostaglandins Or Mifepristone)
Blood-Thinning Medications (Except Aspirin)
Long-Term Use Of Corticosteroid Medications
Ectopic Pregnancy
Bleeding disorders
Chronic adrenal failure
Step 3
Take Misoprostol in ONE of these 2 ways. (See table below to know the specific method based on time since last period).
For Mouth
Place the pills inside each cheek or under the tongue.
Hold them in the mouth for 30 minutes to absorb. Avoid eating, drinking, or talking during this time.
Swallow whatever remains of the pills.
For Vagina
Put the pills in vagina (about one finger length in).
Lie down for 30 minutes as the body absorbs the medicine. It is ok if the pills fall out after 30 minutes. The pills can be thrown away if this happens.
An IUD may need to be removed before a medication abortion.
Allergies To Certain Medications (Prostaglandins Or Mifepristone)
Blood-Thinning Medications (Except Aspirin)
Long-Term Use Of Corticosteroid Medications
Ectopic Pregnancy
Bleeding disorders
Chronic adrenal failure
time since last period
Abortion And Pain Medication
• MISOPROSTOL:
12 - 16 pills / 200 mcg each
(Check table below for exact amount of pills needed).
• IBUPROFEN (Advil / Motrin) / 800 mg
• NAPROXEN (Aleve) / 500 mg
• ACETAMINOPHEN (Tylenol) / 1000 mg
An IUD may need to be removed before a medication abortion.
Allergies To Certain Medications (Prostaglandins Or Mifepristone)
Blood-Thinning Medications (Except Aspirin)
Long-Term Use Of Corticosteroid Medications
Ectopic Pregnancy
Bleeding disorders
Chronic adrenal failure
Step 1 (Optional, but recommended)
Swallow pain medication with water. Choose ONE of the options below.
IBUPROFEN (Advil / Motrin) 800 MG / Every 8 hours
NAPROXEN (Aleve)
500 mG / every 12 hoursACETAMINOPHEN (Tylenol)
1000 mg / every 8 hours
If needed, use nausea medication like Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or Ondansetron (Zofran). Anti-nausea and pain medication can be taken at the same time.
Pain medication or anti nausea medication can be taken as needed throughout the process. Vitamin B6 with ginger or mint tea can also help. A heating pad, warm shower, bath, or walking around can help with cramps as well.
An IUD may need to be removed before a medication abortion.
Allergies To Certain Medications (Prostaglandins Or Mifepristone)
Blood-Thinning Medications (Except Aspirin)
Long-Term Use Of Corticosteroid Medications
Ectopic Pregnancy
Bleeding disorders
Chronic adrenal failure
Step 2
Take Misoprostol in ONE of these 2 ways. (See table below to know the specific method based on time since last period).
For Mouth
Place the pills inside each cheek or under the tongue.
Hold them in the mouth for 30 minutes to absorb. Avoid eating, drinking, or talking during this time.
Swallow whatever remains of the pills.
For Vagina
Put the pills in the vagina (about one finger length in).
Lie down for 30 minutes as the body absorbs the medicine. It is ok if the pills fall out after 30 minutes, throw them away if this happens.
An IUD may need to be removed before a medication abortion.
Allergies To Certain Medications (Prostaglandins Or Mifepristone)
Blood-Thinning Medications (Except Aspirin)
Long-Term Use Of Corticosteroid Medications
Ectopic Pregnancy
Bleeding disorders
Chronic adrenal failure
time since last period
Note: The Post-Pill FAQs provided below apply to both methods (Mifepristone + Misoprostol & Misoprostol Only). These side effects apply to taking misoprostol by mouth or in the vagina. For further questions or concerns, please call your provider or our hotline at 1-833-246-2632.
For more information about abortion pills, please click here.
What are the side effects?
Blood Clots: Of varying size and quantity. At over 9-10 weeks, blood clots, pregnancy tissue and embryo / fetus may be seen. For more information about bleeding, see the Bleeding section in our Abortion Pill FAQ.
Cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or chills: Stay hydrated with water, tea, or soup and eat as necessary, with no restrictions.
Bleeding through 3 pads in 1 hour and then 1 pad in the next hour: However, soaking through 2 pads in 1 hour for 2 hours in a row after passing the pregnancy, is a reason to contact your provider or call/text the hotline at 1-833-246-2632.
An IUD may need to be removed before a medication abortion.
Allergies To Certain Medications (Prostaglandins Or Mifepristone)
Blood-Thinning Medications (Except Aspirin)
Long-Term Use Of Corticosteroid Medications
Ectopic Pregnancy
Bleeding disorders
Chronic adrenal failure
when can i have sex or use contraception again?
It is possible to ovulate and get pregnant again within 1-2 weeks after an abortion or miscarriage. Contraception can be started the day after taking misoprostol and there is no need to wait until bleeding stops.
If someone goes to their healthcare provider for contraception after an abortion, it's important to know that the pregnancy test will likely be positive for 4-6 weeks.
There are no restrictions when it comes to when someone can resume regular activities such as having sex, swimming, using tampons or cups, bathing, exercising, and heavy lifting. These activities can be started the day after an abortion or miscarriage as there is no added risk of infection from these activities. People should listen to their bodies throughout the process.
An IUD may need to be removed before a medication abortion.
Allergies To Certain Medications (Prostaglandins Or Mifepristone)
Blood-Thinning Medications (Except Aspirin)
Long-Term Use Of Corticosteroid Medications
Ectopic Pregnancy
Bleeding disorders
Chronic adrenal failure
time since last period
For More Information
Where to Get Rhogam: Rhogam is usually given by a doctor or nurse at a hospital, clinic, or doctor's office.
How to Find Out Blood Type: [Link]
An IUD may need to be removed before a medication abortion.
Allergies To Certain Medications (Prostaglandins Or Mifepristone)
Blood-Thinning Medications (Except Aspirin)
Long-Term Use Of Corticosteroid Medications
Ectopic Pregnancy
Bleeding disorders
Chronic adrenal failure
for GENERAL medical information
The Miscarriage + Abortion Hotline
1-833-246-2632
mahotline.org
Hours
5 AM - 10 PM PST
7 AM - 12 AM CST
8 AM - 1 AM EST
Hours
9 AM - 9 PM PST
11 AM - 11 PM CST
12 PM - 12 AM EST
Hours
24-Hour Hotline
