Can You Get the Abortion Pill at the Pharmacy?
🚪 At-Home Abortion — Is it for me? Quiz
- The abortion pill is not available directly from the pharmacy in the UK.
- Abortion pills can only be obtained via telephone consultation or through an in-person consultation at a GP or clinic.
- The so-called ‘over-the-counter abortion pill’ only delivers one of the two medications usually administered in early medical abortions and is therefore deemed unsafe.
QUIZ: At-Home Abortion — Is It for Me?
Are you about to start a medication abortion at home or considering this option? You may even already have the pills but are hesitating to take them. No doubt, your current situation is anything but easy...
Gain clarity by answering three multiple-choice questions about your situation. A professional evaluation will appear on the screen.
Can I Get the Abortion Pill at the Pharmacy?
No pharmacy in the UK is currently distributing the abortion pill. It can only be obtained following a consultation with a doctor or a teleconsultation with an abortion service provider. The abortion pill can be collected in-person at the clinic or posted to your home address through the pills by post service. For more information on the abortion pill by post in your country, go to Tele-Abortion.
The Active Ingredients and Their Purpose
The two active ingredients, mifepristone and misoprostol, are used in a medical abortion. They are taken independently of one another as two separate tablets.
Mifepristone (Mifegyne®) stops the action of the pregnancy-sustaining hormone progesterone. This prevents the embryo from being supplied and halts the further development of the pregnancy.
Misoprostol (Cytotec®) is a type of prostaglandin. It is taken 2-3 days after taking mifepristone during a medical abortion, to induce contractions and expel the embryo.
Mifepristone and misoprostol also come in a combi pack (Medabon®) which contains 1 tablet of mifepristone and 4 tablets of misoprostol.
Mifepristone — Application
Application
Mifepristone, primarily known as the active ingredient in the abortion pill Mifegyne®, inhibits the progression of pregnancy as a progesterone receptor antagonist. It is mostly administered as part of a medical abortion. Mifepristone is not available over the counter or by prescription; it must be dispensed by a doctor or medical professional.
Misoprostol — Application, Mechanism of Action and Side Effects
Application & Mechanism of Action
Misoprostol is a prostaglandin. It induces contractions by stimulating receptors in the uterus and cervix. Misoprostol preparations are used for both abortion and labour induction. They are typically administered by doctors or medical personnel. Commercial preparations containing misoprostol include Cytotec® and Medabon®.
In a medical abortion, misoprostol is taken after mifepristone to expel the embryo through uterine contractions.
Misoprostol, following mifepristone, can be provided by the doctor in tablet form for the pregnant woman to take at home. However, it is essential that you be within reach of an A&E in case of complications, such as severe bleeding.
Side Effects
In addition to heavy bleeding, misoprostol can cause other side effects: shaking/chills, gastrointestinal discomfort, headaches, weakness and dizziness. Additionally, when used during labour, there is a rare risk of uterine rupture.
🧑⚕️It is advisable to consult your doctor with any questions about possible side effects and risks.
Over the Counter Abortion Pill
No abortion medication is available without a prescription. Misoprostol, known as the over the counter abortion pill, can only be obtained by prescription. It is available at most pharmacies since its active ingredient, prostaglandin, is also used to treat gastric ulcers.
Using misoprostol for abortive purposes is also referred to as Cytotec abortion.
Misoprostol is identical to the second of the medication combination commonly prescribed as the ‘abortion pill.’
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Abortion Methods
What do I need to know?
Risks and Side Effects of Cytotec Abortion
Using misoprostol for an abortion without mifepristone is less effective and more likely to cause side effects, increasing health risks and physical discomfort. According to the NY Times (03.08.2023), the need for physician intervention increases with a ‘miso-alone protocol.’
Misoprostol vs. Abortion Pill
- The failure rate is much higher than in combination with mifepristone.
- 50% of reproductive healthcare providers deem this method unsafe.
- The most common complication is incomplete abortion. Foetal tissue remaining in the uterus can lead to infection.
Since Cytotec is more widely available than the abortion pill, some women consider obtaining this medication from sources other than an abortion provider.
⚠️ Any abortion without medical supervision poses a higher risk to the woman’s health:
- Frequently women miscalculate how far along they are, leading to a termination later than intended. The risk of serious complications drastically increases with medical abortions performed after the 10th week of pregnancy.
- Ectopic pregnancies could be left undiagnosed, leading to a life-threatening situation.
🧑⚕️ (Suspecting a) pregnancy – How soon to see a doctor? Test
I am Pregnant — What Now?
Perhaps you just found out that you are pregnant. This news would have pulled the rug from under your feet. We are glad your search for answers has led you to our page!
It may take a while for the news to sink in and for it to become clear which direction you want to go. As you determine your next steps, take advantage of our unbiased and judgement-free self-assessments. Upon the completion of each test, you will receive a free professional evaluation:
- 💡 Should I get an abortion? Abortion Test
- 🧔🏻♂️ How do I react if he does not want the baby?
- 🚦Is the abortion pill right for me?
