Facing an unplanned pregnancy can feel like a lot to handle. You might be considering the abortion pill as an option, but it’s important to know what’s involved. This medical process has risks and side effects you should understand before deciding.
This article explains how the abortion pill works, what to expect during and after, and when to call a doctor. Knowing the facts helps you make a choice that’s right for you. Keep reading to learn more.
Note: This is not a guide to taking the abortion pill. If you have the abortion pill and are not sure how to use it or have questions, you should consult a medical provider before moving forward.
How Does the Abortion Pill Work?
The abortion pill, also called medication abortion, involves two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol. Here’s how they work[1]:
- Mifepristone: Taken first, this drug blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to keep a pregnancy going. Without it, the pregnancy cannot continue.
- Misoprostol: Taken 24–48 hours later, this drug causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy.
The FDA has approved the abortion pill for pregnancies up to 10 weeks (about 70 days from your last period).[2]
Before taking the abortion pill, we recommend receiving an ultrasound to check how far along you are and to rule out issues like miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (when the embryo is outside the uterus)—neither of which are treated by abortion. In addition, an ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency requiring urgent attention.
How Long Does the Abortion Pill Take to Work?
Here’s a typical timeline for the abortion pill:
- You take mifepristone, either at a clinic or doctor’s office or in a home setting. You take misoprostol at home, 24–48 hours after mifepristone.[3]
- Cramping and bleeding start within 2-24 hours of taking misoprostol.[4] For many women, the pregnancy is expelled within a day, but it can take longer for some. Everybody is different, so the exact timing varies.[5]
How Much Bleeding Is Normal After an Abortion?
The further along you are, the heavier the bleeding might be. Here’s what to expect:
- When it starts: Bleeding usually begins 2–6 hours after taking misoprostol.[6]
- How long it lasts: 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 call a doctor: If you’re soaking through two full-size pads per hour for two hours or more, call your doctor right away. This could signal a problem like hemorrhaging.
The abortion pill generally causes heavier bleeding than a surgical abortion.[8] While some bleeding is expected, excessive amounts signal a need for medical attention.
Abortion Pill Side Effects
Like any medical procedure, the abortion pill has side effects. Common side effects include[9]:
- Cramping
- Bleeding or spotting, which can last up to a month
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Chills or low fever
Serious risks of the abortion pill include:
- Allergic reaction: If you’re allergic to the ingredients, you could experience anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening condition.[10]
- Hemorrhaging: Soaking two full-size sanitary pads per hour for two or more hours indicates excessive bleeding requiring urgent care.[11]
- Incomplete abortion: If pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus, emergency surgery might be necessary to prevent infection.[12]
- Infection: Persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever lasting over 24 hours after misoprostol could signal an infection needing antibiotics or surgery.[13]
When to Call Your Doctor
It is crucial to pay attention to your body during and after the process. Call your doctor immediately if you notice[14]:
- Heavy bleeding: Soaking through two pads hourly for two hours or more.
- Persistent sickness: Severe abdominal pain, weakness, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (with or without fever) lasting over 24 hours after taking misoprostol, potentially indicating 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.
Have Questions About the Abortion Pill in Harrisburg, PA? Contact Morning Star Clinics.
An unplanned pregnancy can stir up fear, but you don’t have to let it control your decisions. At Morning Star Clinics, we’re here to provide answers and resources for an informed, confident choice.
Call us at 717-901-2799 or schedule your appointment online today.Please be aware that Morning Star Clinics does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Sources
- FDA. (2025, February 11). Questions and Answers on Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation?sm_guid=NTU1NzgyfDYzMDE1OTM2fC0xfGppbUBha2ZhbWlseS5vcmd8NTY4OTI4MXx8MHwwfDE5OTYwMDk4OHwxMDg2fDB8MHx8NTQ3NzI2fDA1
- See source #1.
- See source #1.
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2024, November 15). Mifepristone (Mifeprex). MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html
- Mayo Clinic. (2025, February 1). Mifepristone (oral route). https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/mifepristone-oral-route/description/drg-20067123
- See source #4.
- See source #4.
- Bridwell, R. E., Long, B., Montrief, T., & Gottlieb, M. (2022, October 23). Post-abortion Complications: A Narrative Review for Emergency Clinicians. The Western Journal of Emergency Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9683756/
- See source #4.
- 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
- Danco Laboratories, LLC & FDA. (2016, March). Mifeprex Label. FDA. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/020687s020lbl.pdf
- Mayo Clinic. (2022, July 29). Medical Abortion. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
- See source #4.
- See source #12.