Home » Options » Abortion » 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

Here’s a typical timeline for the abortion pill:

1. Mifepristone is taken first, followed by misoprostol 24–48 hours later.
2. Cramping and bleeding start within 2-24 hours of taking misoprostol.^[4] For most women, this process finishes within a day, but it can take longer for some. Everybody is different, so the exact timing varies.^[5]
3. Bleeding can begin as early as 2 hours after taking misoprostol.^[6]
4. Heavy bleeding may last a few hours, with lighter bleeding or spotting for 9–16 days. In some cases, spotting can continue for up to a month.^[7]

When to Seek Emergency Care

Contact emergency medical services immediately if you experience^[8]:

• Heavy bleeding: Soaking through two pads hourly for two hours or more.
• Ongoing sickness: Severe stomach pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea for longer than 24 hours after taking misoprostol may indicate an infection or ectopic pregnancy.
• Fever: A temperature of 100.4°F or higher for more than 4 hours after taking misoprostol.

These signs could mean complications like infection or incomplete abortion, which need immediate medical treatment.

How Late Can You Take the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill is only FDA-approved for pregnancies up to 10 weeks (70 days) from your last menstrual period.^[9] 

If you take the abortion pill later in your pregnancy, the risk of serious complications increases significantly. This is why determining accurate gestational age and viability through ultrasound is so important before considering any abortion procedure.

How Effective is the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill successfully ends a pregnancy in about 95-98% of cases when within the proper timeframe.^[10] However, this means that it can fail in 2-5% of cases. 

Women may need additional treatment, which may include surgical intervention.

Abortion Pill Risks and Side Effects

Common Side Effects

Most women experience some side effects after taking the abortion pill, including^[11]:

• Bleeding that can last up to a month
• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea and digestive pain
• Chills
• Fever
• Abdominal cramping (caused by the misoprostol)

Serious Complications

While rare, serious complications can occur and may include:

• Severe allergic reaction to the medication^[12]
• Hemorrhaging (excessive bleeding)^[13]
• Incomplete abortion (remaining pregnancy tissue)^[14]
• Infection (fever lasting more than 24 hours)^[15]

Understanding these risks and having access to emergency medical care if complications arise is important.

Can I Get Abortion Pills Over the Counter?

No, you cannot get abortion pills over the counter at any pharmacy or retail location. A provider or physician certified to prescribe abortion pills must give a prescription. This requirement exists because medical abortion requires proper medical supervision and follow-up care.^[16]

The FDA allows some pharmacies to dispense the abortion pill. This is only with a prescription from a certified provider.^[17] The prescription requirement ensures that:

• Your pregnancy is confirmed and properly dated
• You don’t have medical conditions that make the abortion pill unsafe for you to take
• You receive proper instructions for taking the medications
• Follow-up care is available to ensure the procedure is complete

Can I Order the Abortion Pill Online?

The FDA strongly advises against ordering abortion pills online from uncertified sources.^[18] Many online abortion pill providers operate overseas, so the pills they offer may not meet FDA safety standards.

Risks of Online Abortion Pills

Online abortion pills from uncertified sources could be:

• Counterfeit medications with unknown ingredients
• Expired or improperly stored 
• Tampered with
• Incorrect dosages 
• Completely fake with no active ingredients

These risks can lead to serious health complications, including incomplete abortion, severe bleeding, infection, or continued pregnancy. 

Is the Abortion Pill Legal in Indiana?

As of August 22, 2023, abortion is illegal in Indiana. However, exceptions can be made to prevent a serious health risk to the pregnant woman, if the fetus suffers from a lethal fetal anomaly, or if the pregnant woman has been the victim of rape or incest.^[19]

We recommend receiving an ultrasound before taking the abortion pill. Keep reading to learn why.

Why You Need an Ultrasound Before an Abortion

Before considering any abortion procedure, including the abortion pill, it’s crucial to receive an ultrasound. 

An ultrasound provides the information needed to make a safe and informed decision by:

Confirming the Pregnancy

Home pregnancy tests can sometimes show false positives because of certain medications, medical conditions, or user error. An ultrasound provides definitive confirmation of pregnancy.

Determining Gestational Age

Accurate dating is essential because the abortion pill is only FDA-approved for pregnancies up to 10 weeks. An ultrasound gives the best estimate of gestational age. This may be different from calculations based on your last period.

Ruling Out Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the embryo implants outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tubes. 

This condition poses a life-threatening risk and doctors cannot treat it with abortion pills. An ultrasound can identify ectopic pregnancies that require immediate medical attention.

Identifying Other Complications

An ultrasound can show other problems like ovarian cysts, fibroids, or conditions that may change treatment options. It can also show if you need more medical care.

Abortion Pill Information in Terre Haute, IN

When your pregnancy test comes back positive, it can be easy to panic. Don’t let fear make the final decision for you. Take time to gather all the information you need to make an empowered choice.

Get the care and support you deserve at . We provide free pregnancy resources, so you can make an informed decision about your unplanned pregnancy:

Our Free Services Include:

• Free pregnancy tests – Confirm your pregnancy with medical-grade testing
• Free ultrasounds – Determine gestational age and confirm pregnancy viability
• A safe, non-judgmental place to explore your pregnancy options and process your emotions
• Compassionate support from trained staff who understand what you’re going through
• Resource connections to help you access additional support services
• Information about all your options including parenting and adoption resources

Give us a call at or schedule your appointment online. All services are confidential and free of charge!

Please be aware that does not provide or refer for abortion services. We are dedicated to giving you accurate information and helpful care. This will assist you in making the best choice for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the abortion pill work?

A: The abortion pill is a two-medication process involving mifepristone and misoprostol. 

Mifepristone is taken first to reduce progesterone, which stops the embryo from growing. Misoprostol is taken 24-48 hours later to cause uterine contractions and expel the pregnancy tissue. The entire process typically takes place over several days.

Can I get the abortion pill without a prescription or order it online?

No. In order to take the abortion pill, you must have a prescription from a certified provider. 

The FDA strongly advises against ordering abortion pills online from uncertified sources, as these may be counterfeit, expired, improperly stored, or contain unknown ingredients that could lead to serious health complications.

Why do I need an ultrasound before considering the abortion pill?

An ultrasound is crucial for several safety reasons: 

• It confirms the pregnancy (since home tests can sometimes give false results).
• It determines accurate gestational age (the abortion pill is only FDA-approved up to 10 weeks). 
• It rules out miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy (which cannot be treated with abortion pills and is life-threatening).
• It identifies other potential complications that may affect treatment options.

What are the warning signs that require emergency medical care?

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