Abortion Pill Dosages, Expiration Dates, and More

If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, you may be considering the abortion pill. 

Perhaps you have a friend with unused  abortion pills that are expired or you’ve thought about ordering them online. You’re wondering if it’s safe to use them, or if they would still work? While these might seem like quick and effective solutions, they pose significant risks to your health and safety! 

Before doing something that could jeopardize your health, get all the facts so you can make an informed decision for your unplanned pregnancy. Keep reading to learn more.

The most important thing you can do for your health before taking steps to end your pregnancy is to find out for sure if you are pregnant, and if it’s inside the uterus and growing. The best way to do this is by getting an ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy. 

Taking abortion pills without knowing this could be dangerous for your health–what if you’re further along than you thought, or have an ectopic pregnancy (one that is growing outside the uterus-this can be life-threatening and won’t be ended by the abortion drugs)? The risks are significantly increased in these situations. Pregnancy centers provide this vital service–at no charge. 

Call us now to learn more and to find a center near you.

Can I Use My Friend’s Extra Abortion Pills?

It’s illegal and unsafe to share any kind of prescription medication with others, especially the abortion pill.

Physicians, and other healthcare professionals who are authorized to write prescriptions, obtain their patient’s health history before recommending medication. They discover if the patient has any health conditions, allergies, or is taking other medicines that could be negatively affected by the prescription.

In addition, the FDA has certain requirements in place before a healthcare provider may prescribe the abortion pill, due to the associated risks.¹

Do Abortion Pill Dosages Change Per Person?

The FDA label instructions for mifepristone/misoprostol abortion regimen describes the recommended dosing for pregnancies up to 70 days from a woman’s last menstrual period.²

Currently, the toxic dose of misoprostol is unknown.³ It’s crucial to follow your doctor’s orders to avoid an overdose.

Do Abortion Pills Expire?

Yes, abortion pills do expire. The Food and Drug Administration cautions against using expired medications because they may no longer have the intended effect, or they may have degraded, and/or turned into toxic compounds with potentially harmful results.⁴

Can You Order the Abortion Pill Online?

Ordering the abortion pill online can be very risky. As you search, you may come across companies who claim to deliver the abortion pill by mail. However, many of these providers are located overseas and the pills they provide may not be FDA-approved. They could be fake, expired, the wrong dosage, or even laced with harmful substances.⁵

Most importantly, you need to be in touch with a prescribing physician if complications arise. Taking the abortion pill, especially without medical oversight, can lead to complications including⁶:

• Severe infection
• Missed ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening
• Heavy bleeding that may require a surgical scraping to stop it

It’s crucial to be evaluated by a licensed healthcare professional after taking the abortion drugs, to be checked for complications and completeness of the procedure.

What Happens if the Abortion Pill Doesn’t Work?

​​Sometimes the abortion pill doesn’t work at all. This is called a failed medical abortion, which occurs in about 2-8% of cases depending on how far along the pregnancy is.⁷ Some signs that may indicate possible complications and or that the abortion pill didn’t work include⁸:

• No bleeding at all after taking the drugs
• Prolonged or heavy bleeding
• Belly pain that does not go away after a few days of taking the Misoprostol
• Fever
• Weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or feeling sick for more than 24 hours after taking mifepristone

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you’ll need immediate follow-up medical care, which typically involves either taking additional medication or having a surgical procedure to complete the abortion.

It’s crucial to communicate regularly with your healthcare provider after taking the abortion pill so they can monitor your progress through follow-up appointments and address any complications promptly.

What are My Unplanned Pregnancy Options?

When that pregnancy test comes back positive, you may feel backed into a corner. Don’t let fear make the final decision for you. You owe it to yourself to make an informed and empowered decision!

While does not provide or refer for abortion services, we are a safe place where you can ask questions without judgment. We can also connect you with a local pregnancy center that provides free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and abortion information, so you can make the best decision for your health and future.

All of the Facts. None of the Judgment.

You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers. If you’re experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, you’re not alone! is here to help you make an informed and empowered decision.

Ready to take the next step? Give us a call to get started.

Please be aware that Pregnancy Decision Line does not provide or refer for abortion services.