How to Take the Pills

Step 1: Swallow the mifepristone pill with water

Most people feel fine after taking this pill. You can continue all of your regular activities. You may have some vaginal bleeding but may not - either is okay.

It’s unlikely but if you throw up in the first 30 minutes after taking it, the pill probably won’t work. If this happens, please contact us. If you throw up after 30 minutes, you don’t need to contact us because the medicine has been absorbed.

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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.

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 inside your vagina OR between your cheeks and gums for 30 minutes

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

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Vaginal:

  • Go to the toilet and empty your bladder.
  • Wash your hands
  • 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. After 30 minutes, the medicine is absorbed. If the tablets fall out after 30 minutes, it is ok and the pills can be thrown away.

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.

Step 3*: Place 4 misoprostol pills in between your cheeks and gums for 30 minutes

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You only need to complete Step 3 if:

  • You are more than 9 weeks pregnant, wait 4 hours and then complete Step 3 OR
  • 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. It is okay to swallow your saliva as the pills dissolve.

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‍*If you are less than 9 weeks pregnant and have bleeding as heavy as a period within 24 hours after Step 2, you can skip Step 3.

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