Abortion pills are medicines used to end a pregnancy and are the most common method of abortion. They can be taken safely at home.
The two types of abortion pills are mifepristone and misoprostol, which are combined and taken over a period of 24-48 hours. Misoprostol can also be used alone.
Abortion pills cause the body to undergo a process similar to a miscarriage:
- Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone essential for pregnancy to continue. This leads to the breakdown of the uterine lining.
- Misoprostol helps open the cervix and causes cramps that allow the body to pass the pregnancy tissue and empty the uterus.
In most countries, mifepristone is difficult to access.
Misoprostol is for sale in pharmacies in many countries, sometimes without a prescription. Some brands, like Arthrotec, Oxaprost and others, contain a combination of misoprostol and the painkiller diclofenac. Because diclofenac shouldn’t be taken in high doses, these require specific instructions for safe use.
Be cautious when buying mifepristone or misoprostol online or from local sellers, as some sources may not be reliable.
Sources
- World Health Organization. 2020. WHO Recommendations on Self-Care Interventions: Self-Management of Medical Abortion. Geneva: World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-SRH-22.1
- World Health Organization. 2022. Abortion Care Guideline. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/349316.
- World Health Organization. 2023. Clinical Practice Handbook for Quality Abortion Care. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240075207
