If you’re considering a medication abortion (commonly called the abortion pill), you need to understand three things:
- Cytotec (and how it works)
- The potential complications and risks
- The importance of pregnancy confirmation
This information is crucial for making an informed decision about your health and future. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Cytotec (Misoprostol)?
Cytotec is the brand name for misoprostol, a medication commonly used after mifepristone in the FDA-approved abortion pill regimen. Misoprostol may also be used on its own in other medication abortion regimens.
Cytotec causes the uterus to contract and the cervix to soften, leading to cramping and bleeding as the pregnancy passes. Before taking it, it’s important to understand the expected effects, possible complications, and when to seek medical care.
What Are the Possible Side Effects and Complications of Cytotec?
Medication abortion carries potential risks and complications that every woman should understand before making a decision:
Common Side Effects[1]
- Bleeding that can last up to a month
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea and digestive pain
- Chills
- Fever
- Abdominal cramping (caused by Cytotec)
Serious Complications
- Incomplete abortion. An incomplete abortion happens when pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus. Surgery may be required to complete the abortion.[2]
- Infection. Infection is uncommon, but it can become serious if left untreated. Seek medical care for warning signs such as a persistent fever, severe pain, weakness, fainting, or a fast heartbeat.[1]
- Hemorrhaging. The abortion pill can cause hemorrhaging, which may require blood transfusion or surgery to treat.[3]
- Undetected ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that implants outside of the uterus. It can cause the implantation site to rupture if not treated in time. This is a life-threatening medical emergency that cannot be treated by the abortion pill.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Care
Contact a healthcare professional or seek emergency medical care if you experience warning signs such as[1]:
- Very heavy bleeding, such as soaking through two full-size pads per hour for two consecutive hours
- A fever above 100.4°F (38°C) that lasts more than four hours
- Severe pelvic pain that doesn’t improve with pain medication
- Signs of infection (foul-smelling discharge, vaginal burning, or itching)
The Importance of Pregnancy Confirmation
Before making a decision about abortion, it’s important to confirm the pregnancy and estimate how far along you are. Depending on your dates, symptoms, and medical history, an ultrasound may provide helpful information. Here’s why:
Accurate Dating
The abortion pill is only FDA-approved for use up to 10 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period.[4]
Taking the medication beyond this timeframe increases the risk of complications, and may require further medical intervention, including emergency surgery to address excessive bleeding or incomplete abortion.[5]
Viability Assessment
A viable pregnancy indicates that the pregnancy is progressing normally and has the potential to continue to term. During an ultrasound, technicians check for signs like a detectable heartbeat, which typically appears between 6.5 and 7 weeks of gestation.[6]
If a heartbeat cannot be detected during an early ultrasound, it may simply be too early to see. Follow-up imaging or other medical evaluation may be needed. An ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening and requires prompt medical care.
Ectopic pregnancies occur when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube. This condition:
- Cannot be ruled out by a home pregnancy test alone. Medical evaluation, which may include an ultrasound and blood tests, may be needed.
- Can cause a rupture and life-threatening internal bleeding if not treated in time.
- Requires different medical evaluation and treatment. The abortion pill does not treat an ectopic pregnancy.
CAPS provides free limited obstetrical ultrasounds to help estimate how far along you are, identify whether the pregnancy appears to be located inside the uterus, and detect a heartbeat if visible. Give us a call or text us at 619-337-8080 to see if you qualify for an ultrasound.
*Important note: Please be aware that this article is not meant to substitute for medical advice or treatment. The purpose of our limited ultrasound exams is to identify a pregnancy inside the uterus, detect the fetal heartbeat, and estimate how far along you are. If there is no detectable heartbeat, it may indicate a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy is occurring. If we cannot detect a fetal heartbeat during your appointment, we will provide appropriate referrals for follow-up care and treatment.
Considering the Abortion Pill in San Diego, California? Visit CAPS First.
Whatever decision you make about your pregnancy, it should be made with complete, accurate information about your health status and all available options. We encourage you to:
- Understand how the abortion pill works
- Understand the complications of the abortion pill
- Confirm your pregnancy with an ultrasound
- Consider your personal circumstances, values, and goals
- Seek support from trusted healthcare providers
- Take time to carefully consider your decision
You don’t have to face this decision alone. Our caring staff provides free ultrasounds, accurate information, emotional support, and practical assistance to help you navigate unplanned pregnancy.
Call or text us at 619-337-8080, or schedule an appointment online. All services are free and confidential!
Please be aware that CAPS does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the abortion pill if I’m not sure how far along I am?
No, before taking abortion medications, the pregnancy should be confirmed and gestational age estimated.
We strongly encourage having an ultrasound beforehand. An ultrasound can provide valuable information about how far along you are and whether the pregnancy appears to be located inside the uterus, helping you make a safer, more informed decision. The FDA-approved mifepristone regimen is intended for pregnancies through 10 weeks.
Is it safe to order abortion pills online?
We strongly encourage having your pregnancy confirmed and receiving an ultrasound before ordering the abortion pill online.
While mifepristone may legally be dispensed by an FDA-certified online pharmacy with a prescription from a certified healthcare provider, pills purchased from an unverified seller may be counterfeit, expired, improperly stored, or obtained outside important safety requirements. An online order may also leave important questions unanswered, including how far along you are and whether there are signs of an ectopic pregnancy.
What if I have certain medical conditions?
Some medical conditions may make you ineligible for medication abortion, including[6]:
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Problems with your adrenal glands
- Allergies to mifepristone and/or misoprostol
- Bleeding disorders
- Liver disease
- If you are being treated with long-term corticosteroid therapy
- If you have an IUD
- If you’re taking blood thinning medication
Always disclose your complete medical history to healthcare providers, so you can make a safe decision for your health.
Sources
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2024, November 15). Mifepristone (Mifeprex). MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html
- Mayo Clinic. (2022, July 29). Medical Abortion. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
- FDA. (2019, July). Prescribing Information for Mifeprex. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/022348s014lbl.pdf
- FDA. (2025, February 11). Questions and Answers on Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifeprex
- Redinger, A., & Nguyen, H. (2022, June 27). Incomplete Abortions. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559071/
- Cleveland Clinic. (2023, March 3). Fetal Development. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7247-fetal-development-stages-of-growth