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Can I Buy the Abortion Pill Online?

How to Know What's Legitimate & Keep Yourself Safe

The abortion pill is a form of medical abortion that can be prescribed for women who are pregnant up to 10 weeks (70 days after the first day of your last menstrual period). 

The abortion pill, also known as “Plan C” or Mifeprex, ends a pregnancy by first stopping the growth of the pregnancy with one type of medication, and then expelling it using a second. 

Many of the abortion pills for sale online are counterfeit pills, expired medication, or scams. Keep reading to learn more about how you can protect yourself. 

Table of Contents

Can I buy the abortion pill online?

The abortion pill is a powerful drug with the risk of some severe side effects. As such, the FDA has approved it for use only with the prescription and oversight of a licensed doctor.1

While this does not specifically exclude obtaining the abortion pill online, it does mean that patients still need to consult with a doctor who is licensed to prescribe the medication. 

You will also still need to receive pregnancy testing at a doctor’s office or lab for pregnancy verification, as well as an ultrasound to confirm exactly how far along the pregnancy is and to verify that the pregnancy is not ectopic or carrying other high risks of abortion complications.

If you are pregnant and have questions or concerns about the abortion pill, reach out to A Woman's Choice. We are a women-run community clinic offering education and medical testing 100% free of charge.
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Is it safe to order the abortion pill online and take it by myself at home?

Risks of Illegitimate Online Pharmacies

Although you may have seen the abortion pill or “Plan C” pill advertised online, the vast majority of those products are not FDA-approved and might be ineffective, counterfeit, tainted, and unsafe. 

Unfortunately, many unlicensed online pharmacies are operating without the approval of the FDA and taking advantage of women in the difficult position of an unplanned pregnancy to sell them illegitimate products—or in some cases, to completely scam them and steal their payment information, according to recent reports by WebMD. In fact, 96% of online pharmacies are illegitimate2 and are violating laws that were put in place to protect patients from harmful black market drugs. 

Health Risks of Taking the Abortion Pill Without a Doctor's Oversight

There are also a number of health situations where a medical abortion would be unsafe for a patient, so buying the abortion pill online and taking it at home without the prescription and care of a doctor would put her at risk for severe complications. You should not take an abortion pill if:

  • You have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place (it must be removed before taking an abortion pill)
  • You have an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy outside of the uterus)
  • You have problems with your adrenal glands 
  • You are currently being treated with long-term corticosteroid medications
  • You have any bleeding problems or take blood thinners4
  • You have an STI (STIs increase the risk of suffering post-abortion infection5)


For patients without these complication factors, the abortion pill still comes with a variety of risks and side effects, with approximately 35% of medical abortions resulting in an emergency room visit.6 

For these safety reasons, the FDA strongly recommends not to buy the abortion pill or its generic version over the Internet, but to obtain it in person from a licensed healthcare provider who can provide important oversight to ensure your safety.7

Doctors also frequently prescribe anti-nausea and prescription pain medication alongside the abortion pill to help manage its symptoms and side effects. Working with a doctor to obtain the abortion pill is not only safer than ordering it online yourself, but also offers help and resources throughout the process.

Do I have to have my parent’s permission to get the abortion pill if I’m under 18?

In Florida, women under 18 years of age are required to notify at least one parent or guardian 48 hours before an abortion—even if it is for the abortion pill. They must also obtain permission from a parent OR get approval from a judge through a process known as judicial bypass.8

If you are a teen and need help, we offer 100% confidential care. Notification of your parents is NOT required to receive counseling about your pregnancy options. One of our client advocates can meet with you to hear everything you’re facing and help walk you through what you need to know to make the decision that’s best for you. Click here for more information on our teen support.

How can I protect myself from illegitimate abortion pills online?

A Woman's Choice is an educational clinic in Central Florida offering free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and consultations with a Registered Nurse. Click here for more information about our services.

If I ordered the abortion pill online and need to visit an ER, what do I tell the doctor?

If you experience complications from the abortion pill and need to seek medical attention, it is important for healthcare professionals to know that you have taken the abortion pill in order for them to give you proper care and ensure your safety.  

Many times, women report that they are having a miscarriage because they are afraid to tell doctors they have taken an abortion pill, but this only puts patients at further risk for complications. 

If you have taken an abortion pill you purchased online, even if it did not meet state or federal standards, you will not be penalized for the abortion. Don’t be afraid to give your doctor as much accurate information about your health as possible to ensure your safety.

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A Woman’s Choice does not perform or refer for abortion procedures. For specific information about our services, refer to the site above.