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.

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.

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?

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 length of pregnancy.
DO check the abortion laws in your state to ensure proper compliance of pill distributors.

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.

Questions or concerns about the pill?

Other FAQs

Does A Woman’s Choice prescribe the abortion pill?

A Woman’s Choice does not prescribe the abortion pill or refer for abortions. We are a non-profit community organization that is here to offer free education, medical testing, and support to women facing unplanned pregnancies. Learn more about our services here.

What's the difference in Plan B pill vs Plan C pill?

Plan C is another name for the abortion pill, ru486. Plan B (also known as the morning after pill) is not the same as the abortion pill. Plan B is an over-the-counter form of emergency contraception that is designed to prevent pregnancy and will not end a pregnancy that has already been conceived. For more information on Plan B, click here.

Can I get the abortion pill over-the-counter?

Unlike Plan B, the abortion pill is not available over the counter and should only be administered by a licensed abortion provider.

Is the abortion pill safer than a surgical abortion?

According to recent studies, women who take the abortion pill are at a 53% greater risk of an ER visit for an abortion-related reason compared to ER visits following a surgical type of abortion. The rate of abortion-related ER visits following a medical abortion increased 507% from 2002-2015.6

Can I order the abortion pill online if the state I lived in has banned abortion?

The abortion pill must be prescribed by a healthcare care professional who is licensed to distribute it. In prescribing the abortion pill, doctors must follow the abortion regulations of the state in which they are licensed.

In Florida, abortion is legal up until the 15th week of pregnancy, which includes the abortion pill up to 10 weeks of pregnancy. Women seeking the abortion pill will have to first visit a provider’s office to receive an ultrasound and counseling, and fulfill a 24-hour waiting period before the pill can be prescribed.(9) Click here for more information on Florida’s abortion requirements.

How late can the abortion pill be taken?

The abortion pill may be taken up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, or 70 days after the first day of your last menstrual period. For pregnancies past 11 weeks gestation, a surgical procedure would be required for abortion.¹⁷