Can You Take Misoprostol Without Mifepristone?
If you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy, you may be wondering whether you can take misoprostol without mifepristone. To make an informed decision, you need to understand how this method works and the risks involved.
In this article, we’ll discuss misoprostol-only abortions. Keep reading to learn more.
How Does a Misoprostol-Only Abortion Work?
Normally, the abortion pill regimen uses two medications:
- Mifepristone: The first pill blocks the hormone progesterone, which is necessary to sustain the pregnancy. Without progesterone, the pregnancy cannot continue, and the embryo stops growing.
- Misoprostol: The second pill is taken 24-48 hours after mifepristone. It causes the uterus to contract, resulting in cramping and bleeding that expels the embryo and pregnancy tissue.
Misoprostol is not as effective alone to cause abortion. Multiple doses of misoprostol are needed to induce abortion. The dose depends on how far along you are in your pregnancy (also known as your gestational age).
How Effective is Misoprostol?
Misoprostol is not FDA-approved for inducing abortion. Misoprostol is FDA-approved to prevent stomach ulcers in people taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.1 However, it is used off-label to ripen the cervix prior to labor induction2 and induce abortion in the second trimester.2
It doesn’t work as well without mifepristone and has a significant failure rate. Meaning, there is a high chance that you will still be pregnant, even after taking multiple doses.3
Taking the medication beyond the recommended timeframe increases the risk of failure and other complications. Further medical intervention may be needed, including emergency surgery to stop excessive bleeding or treat an incomplete abortion.4
It is critical to confirm pregnancy and determine how far along you are. The most accurate way to determine your gestational age is to receive an ultrasound.
Pregnancy Decision Line can connect you with a local pregnancy center that provides free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds. Schedule an appointment today to get started.
Call 866-406-9327 and get help now.
Can You Order Misoprostol Online?
Ordering misoprostol online from unregulated sources is risky. The FDA warns against it, as these pills may be expired, counterfeit, contaminated, or contain the wrong dosage.5
Always consult with a licensed healthcare professional before taking any medication.
What are the Risks of Taking Misoprostol?
Misoprostol alone can induce an abortion. However, this method is not as effective as using both drugs together.6
Taking misoprostol is associated with mild adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills and abdominal pain.1
It can also cause serious adverse reactions, including2:
- Thrombosis (blood clots)
- Faster than normal heartrate
- Heart attack
- Cervical tears
- Uterine rupture (in later pregnancies)
Making Your Decision with Support and Care
If you’re considering a misoprostol-only abortion, it’s crucial to get the facts first. At Pregnancy Decision Line, we’re committed to helping you make safe, informed decisions about your pregnancy. We can connect you with a local pregnancy center that offers:
- Free pregnancy tests
- Free ultrasounds
- A safe, confidential space to ask questions and explore all your options
Ready to take the next step? Give us a call to get started.
REFERENCES
- PDR.net. (2024). Cytotec. https://www.pdr.net/drug-summary/?drugLabelId=1044
- Krugh, M., & Maani, C. V. (2023, April 21). Misoprostol. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539873/
- Raymond EG, Harrison MS, Weaver MA. Efficacy of Misoprostol Alone for First-Trimester Medical Abortion: A Systematic Review. Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Jan;133(1):137-147. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003017. PMID: 30531568; PMCID: PMC6309472. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6309472/
- Mayo Clinic. (2024, June 28). Medical Abortion. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2025, January 17). Mifeprex (Mifepristone). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information
Schreiber, C. A., Creinin, M. D., Atrio, J., Sonalkar, S., Ratcliffe, S. J., & Barnhart, K. (2018, June 7). Mifepristone Pretreatment for the Medical Management of Early Pregnancy Loss. The New England Journal of Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29874535/
Call 866-406-9327 and get help now.
Please be aware that Pregnancy Decision Line does not provide or refer for abortion services.