Can I Buy the Abortion Pill Online?

Medication Abortion also called the abortion pill is the common name for using two different drugs to end a pregnancy: mifepristone and misoprostol. The first drug ends a pregnancy by first stopping the growth of the pregnancy and the second drug expels the pregnancy.
Abortion pills for sale online could be counterfeit pills, expired medication, or scams. Keep reading to learn more about how you can protect yourself.

Although you may have seen the abortion 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. These online places can either sell illegitimate products or be scams. 

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

There are also numerous health situations where a medical abortion would be unsafe for a woman. Buying the abortion pill online and taking it at home without the prescription and care of a doctor, would put a woman 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 infection)⁵

For women 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

The abortion pill still comes with a variety of risks and side effects for women without the complicated factors listed above. Approximately 35% of medical abortions result in an emergency room visit.⁶ For these safety reasons, the FDA strongly recommends not buying the abortion pill or its generic version over the Internet, but obtaining 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 but also offers help and resources throughout the process.

• Do NOT order abortion pills online from a website that does not ask you for a doctor’s prescription before placing an order. Legitimate online pharmacies abide by the law in order to maintain their license.
• Do NOT order abortion pills online from a website that has no pharmacist contact. This is a red flag that the site may be selling illegitimate drugs.
• DO contact your doctor to discuss your pregnancy before ordering the abortion pill.
• DO receive a verified pregnancy test, STI testing, and an ultrasound to confirm the length of pregnancy.
• DO check the abortion laws in your state to ensure proper compliance of pill distributors.

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.