People can use the abortion pill to end a pregnancy until around 70 days, or roughly 10 weeks, after the first day of their last period. However, in some cases, an extra dose may be necessary.

Medical abortion, which is also known as the abortion pill, currently accounts for more than half of abortions in the United States. It involves taking two types of pills: mifepristone and misoprostol.

Mifepristone stops a pregnancy by blocking the hormone progesterone, and misoprostol causes the uterus to contract and release its contents. This type of abortion can safely end an early pregnancy.

The time frame and access to the medication will depend on the healthcare professional and the law in a specific state.

Read on to learn more about how late in pregnancy the abortion pill is effective, when an extra dose is necessary, and how to access the medication.

The Dobbs decision

On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that secured a person’s constitutional right to an abortion.

This means that individual states are now able to decide their own abortion laws. As a result, many states will ban or severely restrict abortion access.

The information in this article was accurate and up to date at the time of publication, but the facts may have changed since. Anyone looking to learn more about their legal rights can message the Repro Legal Helpline via a secure online form or call 844-868-2812.

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In 2000, the FDA initially approvedTrusted Source mifepristone for use with misoprostol to end a pregnancy up to 49 days gestation, or the 7th week of pregnancy. Gestation is the number of days since the first day of a person’s last menstrual period.

Then, in 2016, after reviewing further data and information submitted by the drug manufacturer, the FDA approved mifepristone to end a pregnancy up to 70 days gestation, or 10 weeks.

The FDA states that a person should notTrusted Source take mifepristone if it has been more than 70 days since their last period began. However, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), evidence supports the use of the medication for more advanced gestations.

Other leading health organizations have similar views to ACOG:

ACOG notes that when a medication abortion takes place after 13 weeks of pregnancy, it is known as an induction abortion. This is because it involves inducing labor to remove the fetus.

However, many people who have a second-trimester abortion will receive a procedural abortion. This will typically involve a dilation and evacuation (D&E) procedure, which involves using instruments and a suction device to remove the contents of the uterus.

Medical abortion involves two pills: mifepristone and misoprostol. It is essential that a person take both medications in the correct order.

The first medication someone takes to end a pregnancy is mifepristone. This drug blocksTrusted Source the activity of the hormone progesterone, which plays a vital role in maintaining the early stages of pregnancy. As a result, this drug causes the uterine lining to thin, preventing the embryo from remaining implanted.

The second medication, misoprostol, causes the cervix to soften and dilate. The uterus will then contract and release its contents through the vagina. People will experience abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding during this process.

The FDA recommendsTrusted Source the following regimen for medical abortions:

  • Day 1: Take 200 milligrams of mifepristone by mouth.
  • After 24 to 48 hours: Place 800 micrograms of misoprostol between the cheek and gum and allow it to absorb. Alternatively, a person can insert misoprostol into the vagina.
  • After 7 to 14 days: Follow up with a healthcare professional to evaluate bleeding and uterine size and check for signs of infection.

The pregnancy typically ends around 2 to 24 hours after a person takes mifepristone and misoprostol. A person can expect heavier bleeding and more cramping than are typical of a menstrual period.

Planned Parenthood notes that taking the combination abortion pill is effective 87% to 99% of the time. However, the effectiveness varies depending on the dosage and how far along the pregnancy is.

Sometimes, a medical abortion may not be fully effective, and the pregnancy may not pass out of the uterus. If this happens, a healthcare professional will discuss the next steps with the person. They can choose to wait and see whether cramping and bleeding begin, undergo a surgical procedure to empty the uterus, or take another dose of misoprostol.

The FDA recommends the abortion pill up until 10 weeks’ gestation. However, as this article mentions above, other health organizations have different guidance. A healthcare professional can advise a person on whether a medical abortion is the right choice for them.

If the pregnancy is further along, a person may be able to have a surgical abortion, depending on the laws in their state. Typically, after 13 weeks of pregnancy, a person will receive a procedural abortion involving a D&E.

Learn more about abortion aftercare.

There are many restrictions on access to abortion, including abortion pills, since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022. Access to abortion care may depend on where a person lives.

The FDA no longerTrusted Source requires healthcare professionals to dispense the medication in person, so some healthcare professionals and pharmacies may mail the abortion pill, depending on state law.

People may be able to access medical abortion by mail via the following resources:

The National Abortion Federation has a resource called Abortion Finder to help people locate in-person and virtual abortion providers. The advocacy group Planned Parenthood also has a database for abortion services.

Below are answers to common questions regarding the abortion pill.

Is it the same as Plan B?

Plan B is not the same as the abortion pill. Also known as the morning-after pill, Plan B is a form of emergency contraception that prevents pregnancy soon after sex without a barrier method.

It works by stopping the release of an egg from the ovary, preventingTrusted Source fertilization of the egg. However, if implantation has already occurred, Plan B will not end a pregnancy.

Where can I get the abortion pill?

The accessibility of the abortion pill will depend on where a person lives. Abortion Finder’s State-by-State Guide can help people find abortion support.

Is it safe?

Doctors consider the abortion pill safe.

Around 2%Trusted Source of medication abortions have complications, which may include:

  • incomplete abortion
  • infection
  • heavy vaginal bleeding
  • pain

The abortion pill consists of two medications: mifepristone and misoprostol. These medications stop the growth of a pregnancy and cause the uterus to release its contents to end the pregnancy.

According to the FDA, people can use abortion pills to end pregnancies up to 10 weeks’ gestation. Beyond 10 weeks, doctors recommend that people have a surgical abortion.

Access to the abortion pill differs depending on where a person lives and the laws in their state. In some states, people can access a medical abortion by mail through certified medical prescribers and pharmacies.