In the aftermath of Roe v. Wade, we’ve gotten a lot of questions about the abortion pill. Some are wondering if it’s safe to order the abortion pill online. Others have asked if they can use their friend’s abortion pills. While these seem like simple and effective solutions, they could put your health and safety at risk!
Be sure to get all the facts on the abortion pill so you can make a safe and informed decision for your unplanned pregnancy. Keep reading to learn more!
Can I Use My Friend’s Abortion Pills?
It’s unsafe and illegal to take any kind of medication that wasn’t prescribed to you, especially the abortion pill! Your friend could have been assigned a dosage of misoprostol that could be dangerous to you.
Aside from that, the FDA requires the abortion pill to be prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider for your safety. More on that in a moment!
What is the Proper Abortion Pill Dosage? Can it Change per Person?
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the mifepristone dosage is always 200 mg and taken orally. However, misoprostol can vary in terms of dosage, timing, and route. Be aware that the toxic dose of misoprostol is currently unknown. If you decide to take the abortion pill, it’s crucial to follow your doctor’s orders to avoid an overdose!
Can You Order the Abortion Pill Online?
While you can order the abortion pill online, it’s very risky! Many online abortion pill providers are located overseas and the pills they deliver aren’t approved by the FDA. For this reason, the FDA requires a prescription from a certified physician to order the abortion pill online.
It’s also important to be in touch with your prescribing physician if you experience any complications. While it’s common to experience heavy bleeding and painful abdominal cramps after taking the abortion pill, there’s also a chance you could have an allergic reaction to the medication or develop an infection if the pill is unsuccessful.
Never leave your health up to chance! Be sure to get all the facts and speak to your doctor before ordering the abortion pill online.
Do Abortion Pills Expire? Do Expired Abortion Pills Work?
Abortion pills do expire and are less likely to work past their expiration date. The U.S. distributor of the generic mifepristone pill states that generic mifepristone goes bad after three years. According to the USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program, misoprostol lasts about two years.
Be sure to check the expiration date on the packaging before using the abortion pill. If it’s gone bad, Cleveland Clinic advises throwing it away because it won’t be as effective. If you no longer have the packaging and aren’t sure if it’s still good, don’t risk taking an expired abortion pill!
What are My Unplanned Pregnancy Options?
When your pregnancy test comes back positive, it’s easy to panic. Don’t let fear make any decisions for you! You owe it to yourself to make an informed and empowered choice. While Pregnancy Help NYC does not provide or refer for abortion services, we are a safe, non-judgmental place to express your feelings and explore your unplanned pregnancy options!
Whether you have questions about abortion, adoption, or are looking for parenting support, our compassionate team is here for you. Need a pregnancy test or ultrasound? We can help with that too. All services are free of charge!
Give us a call at (212) 243-7119 or schedule your appointment today!
Sources
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2021, December 16). Mifeprex (mifepristone) Information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information
Medication Abortion Up to 70 Days of Gestation. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020, October). Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2020/10/medication-abortion-up-to-70-days-of-gestation
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (n.d.). Cytotec® – Food and Drug Administration. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2002/19268slr037.pdf
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Mifepristone (Mifeprex): Medlineplus drug information. MedlinePlus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html#overdose
FDA. (2021, December 16). Questions and answers on Mifeprex. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex
USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program. (n.d.). Misoprostol. USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program. Retrieved from https://www.ghsupplychain.org/sites/default/files/2019-02/MNCH%20Commodities-Module2.pdf