The Abortion Pill

Considering the Abortion Pill? Get the Facts First

When facing an unplanned pregnancy, it’s crucial to have accurate, complete information about all your options. If you are considering the abortion pill, it is important to know how it works. You should also understand its risks and what to expect. This knowledge can help you make an informed decision.

How Does the Abortion Pill Work?

The abortion pill consists of two different medications: mifepristone and misoprostol. This two-drug regimen works by interrupting the pregnancy process and causing the uterus to expel the developing embryo.

First Medication: Mifepristone

Mifepristone is taken first, usually in an abortion clinic. This medication reduces the amount of the hormone progesterone to the embryo. This hormone helps keep the pregnancy going. Without it, the embryo stops growing.^[1]

Progesterone is essential for preparing and maintaining the uterine lining that supports the developing embryo. Without a steady supply of progesterone, the embryo stops growing and eventually dies.^[2]

Second Medication: Misoprostol

Misoprostol is taken 24-48 hours after mifepristone, often at home. This medication causes the uterus to contract and cramp. This helps it expel the fetus and pregnancy tissue, ending the pregnancy.^[3]

What to Expect When You Take the Abortion Pill

• Seek emergency care immediately if you experience:
• Heavy bleeding (soaking through two pads hourly for two hours or more).
• Ongoing severe symptoms lasting longer than 24 hours after taking misoprostol (severe stomach pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).
• Fever of 100.4°F or higher for more than 4 hours. These could indicate serious complications like infection or incomplete abortion.

What free services does

offer?

We provide free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, a safe and non-judgmental environment to explore your options, and resource connections for additional support services.

All services are confidential and free of charge. Please note that we do not provide or refer for abortion services, but we are dedicated to providing accurate information to help you make an informed decision.

Sources

1. FDA. (2025, February 11). Questions and Answers on Mifeprex. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex
2. See source #1.
3. See source #1.
4. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2024, November 15). Mifepristone (Mifeprex). MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html
5. Mayo Clinic. (2025, February 1). Mifepristone (oral route). https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/mifepristone-oral-route/description/drg-20067123
6. See source #4.
7. See source #4.
8. Mayo Clinic. (2022, July 29). Medical Abortion. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
9. See source #1.
10. Fjerstad M, Sivin I, Lichtenberg ES, Trussell J, Cleland K, Cullins V. Effectiveness of medical abortion with mifepristone and buccal misoprostol through 59 gestational days. Contraception. 2009;80(3):282–286. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3766037/
11. See source #4.
    
12. Shin, Hyun Joo, et al. “Anaphylactic Shock to Vaginal Misoprostol: A Rare Adverse Reaction to a Frequently Used Drug.” PubMed Central (PMC), 9 Aug. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6137020
    
13. FDA. (2019, July). Prescribing Information for Mifeprex. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/022348s014lbl.pdf
14. See source #8.
15. See source #4.
16. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2025, January 17). Mifeprex (Mifepristone). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information
17. See source #16.
18. See source #16.
19. Indiana Department of Health. (2023, August 22). Guidance Regarding the Regulatory Implementation of Senate Enrolled Act 1 – 2022 (ss). IN.gov. https://www.in.gov/health/cshcr/files/SEA1-Regulatory-Guidance-2023-Aug-22.pdf

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