What is the abortion pill?
After the FDA removed the in-person dispensing requirement for medication abortion (also known as RU-486, the abortion pill, Plan C, or mifepristone) in December 2021, access to what are commonly called “at-home abortions” has become easier for women as a number of websites and pharmacies were now allowed to provide medication abortion without a physical exam.
At Alpha Center, we believe that an informed decision is the best decision. Below, we’ve compiled some of the most frequent questions we’ve received from patients about medication abortion.
What is the difference between a medication abortion and the morning after pill?
The morning after pill (also called Plan B or emergency contraception) is a completely different medication called Levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate (UP) and can be purchased over the counter. These medications work to delay or stop ovulation, preventing pregnancy before it starts, whereas the abortion pill ends an already established pregnancy. For more information, see our blog post on the topic.
How far into pregnancy can I use the abortion pill?
A medication abortion may be used up to 70 days since a patient’s last menstrual period. If you are not sure how far along you are or when your last period was, an ultrasound should be used to determine the gestational age of the pregnancy. Alpha Center in Fort Collins can provide you with an ultrasound to determine how far along you are during a free pre-abortion screening.
Who should not have a medication abortion?
Some women should not take Mifeprex or its generic counterpart. If one or more of these apply to you, you should not take medication to end your pregnancy.
- You are experiencing an ectopic pregnancy
- You have a medical history of adrenal, cardiac, or bleeding problems
- You are currently on blood thinning medications
- You have allergies to the medications used in a medical abortion
- You are more than 70 days pregnant
- You currently have an IUD
- You cannot attend a follow up appointment
- You are currently breastfeeding (2)
- You have irregular periods and cannot determine how far along you might be
How does the abortion pill work?
A medication abortion consists of two pills that work together to both end and expel a pregnancy. Medication abortions may include mifepristone plus misoprostol, misoprostol alone, and methotrexate plus misoprostol. Most commonly, Mifeprex (mifepristone) and misoprostol are used together.
Mifeprex is taken in a single oral dose, and the medication works by blocking progesterone from the uterus, which ends the pregnancy. Misoprostol is taken between 24 – 48 hours following the Mifeprex dosage, and this medication causes the uterus to expel the contents of the uterus within 2-24 hours. Following the medication abortion, the patient should follow up with their healthcare provider to confirm that they are no longer pregnant and that no tissue remains in the uterus.
Are there side-effects or risks associated with medication abortions?
As with any medication or medical procedure, there are side effects and risks associated with medical abortions.
Commonly experienced side effects include:
- Abdominal pain or uterine cramping
- back pain
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- headache
- nausea or vomiting (about 10% of patients)
- To see more, visit our post on abortion pill side effects
Emergent symptoms, while uncommon, require the immediate attention of a doctor. Have someone take you to the ER and let them know that you took RU-486 as this will help them determine the best course of treatment. These symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- Excessive bleeding (soaking through 2 or more maxi-pads in an hour)
- Fever above 100.2 for longer than 24 hours or 102.2 at any point
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
Does a medication abortion work?
At 10 weeks gestation, there is an up to 10% risk of the medication abortion being incomplete, leaving behind tissue that must be removed with a D&C. This is why we recommend getting STI testing done regardless of the type of abortion you are considering. At Alpha Center, we offer pre-abortion screenings, with both telehealth and in-person appointments usually available same or next day. These appointments include a pregnancy test, gestational dating and viability ultrasound, and STI screening, which are offered for free.
Sources
AHFS Patient Medication Information [Levonorgestrel]. Bethesda (MD): American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc.; c2019. Protriptyline; [updated 2024 May 2; cited 2025 March 24]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a610021.html
Allen R, O’Brien BM. Uses of misoprostol in obstetrics and gynecology. Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Summer;2(3):159-68. PMID: 19826573; PMCID: PMC2760893.
FDA.gov. (2016, March). MEDICATION GUIDE Mifeprex. Danco Labratories, LLC. Retrieved March 24, 2024, from https://www.fda.gov/media/72923/download
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2024, July 2). Morning after pill. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/morning-after-pill/about/pac-20394730
Pope, C. (2024, May 22). Mifeprex. Drugs.com. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.drugs.com/mifeprex.html
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Mifepristone U.S. Post-Marketing Adverse Events Summary through 12/31/2022. FDA.gov. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.fda.gov/media/164331/download
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025, February 11). Questions and Answers on Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved March 24, 2025, from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex
Written by Kristen Long for Alpha Center. Last updated March 24, 2025.
Disclaimer
Alpha Center does not provide or refer for abortions, and because of this we have no financial interest in the outcome of your pregnancy.