How do I take the abortion pills?

A huge benefit of abortion pills is you can perform the abortion privately.

The patient performs the abortion by taking the medications. Below are the steps to take the abortion pills:

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Step 1: Swallow one mifepristone (200 mg) pill with water.

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‍Wait 24-48 hours. Choose a time to start Step 2 when you’ve had a good meal and plenty of rest. 

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30 minutes before Step 2, take 800 mg of ibuprofen (4 over-the-counter tablets). This will help decrease your cramps and bleeding, which usually start a few hours after Step 2.  

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Step 2: Place 4 (four) misoprostol pills (800 mcg) inside your vagina OR between your cheeks and gums for 30 minutes

You must complete Step 2 even if you have started bleeding.

Vaginal: 

• Either in a squatting position or lying on your back or side, use your finger to push 4 misoprostol tablets, one by one, deep into your vagina (at least one finger’s distance inside). After the pills are inserted, lie down and wait for 30 minutes.

Buccal (between cheeks and gums):

• Put 2 misoprostol pills on one side of your mouth (between your cheek and gums), and the other 2 on the other side of your mouth. Wait 30 minutes for the pills to dissolve, then swallow what is left of the pills. It is okay to swallow your saliva as the pills dissolve.

The medicine will work the same if you take it in your cheeks (buccally), but it can cause more nausea and other side effects. 

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If you'd like to take Step 2 vaginally, you can take them the same day as step 1 so long as you are not already bleeding! If you plan on taking step 2 buccally, please take them between 24-48 hours after step 1.

Step 3: Place 4 misoprostol pills (800 mcg) between your cheeks and gums for 30 minutes. 

          You only need to complete Step 3 if:

• You are more than 9 weeks pregnant, wait 4 hours and then complete Step 3
• ‍You are less than 9 weeks pregnant, only complete Step 3 if you have not had bleeding as heavy as a period 24 hours after Step 2. 

Put 2 misoprostol pills on one side of your mouth (between your cheek and gums), and the other 2 on the other side of your mouth. Wait 30 minutes for the pills to dissolve, then swallow what is left of the pills.