You will need 12 misoprostol pills (200mcg each) for an abortion. Having more pills is useful in case extra doses are needed. Misoprostol alone is 94-97% effective.
Misoprostol is for sale in pharmacies in many countries, sometimes without a prescription. Be cautious when buying misoprostol online or from local sellers, as some sources may not be reliable.
Taking the pills
Step 1: Put 4 misoprostol pills (200mcg each) under your tongue. Keep them there for 30 minutes while the pills dissolve. You can swallow your saliva. After 30 minutes, swallow any remains of the pills.
Important: If the misoprostol you are using is called Oxaprost, Arthrotec or Rotec, spit out any remaining bits of the pill after 30 minutes. These pills contain diclofenac (a painkiller) in the center. Swallowing the remains will make you take more diclofenac than is safe in one day, which can harm you.
Step 2: Wait 3 hours, then repeat step 1.
Step 3: Wait 3 hours, then repeat step 1.
Optional: If there is less bleeding than expected and you are unsure whether the abortion has been completed, you can continue taking 2 misoprostol pills (200mcg each) every 3 hours, placing the pills under your tongue and swallowing the saliva for 30 minutes.
We recommend using misoprostol under your tongue, as it is just as safe and effective as vaginal use. In many countries, people may face legal risks or stigma for having an abortion at home. Taking the pills under your tongue leaves no traces, so if you need medical care, there will be no physical evidence of their use.
If you need to visit a health worker for any reason, it is not necessary to tell them that you used abortion pills. You can say that you think you had a miscarriage. The health worker cannot see the difference, and the treatment is the same. There are no tests that can show you have used abortion pills.
Please also see What painkillers can you use? & How do you know if you have complications and what should you do?
Write to our helpdesk team at info@womenonweb.org for more detailed information and guidance
