How Can I Get Abortion Pills From My Pharmacy?
Abortion pills (medication abortion) are a safe and effective way to stop a pregnancy during the first 10 weeks. A medication abortion consists of two medications taken over two days: mifepristone (Mifeprex) and misoprostol (Cytotec). If you live in a state where abortion is legal, a medication abortion is a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy. The combination of the medications is FDA approved to end pregnancies that are within 70 days (10 weeks) of your last menstrual period. Over half of all abortions in 2020 were medication abortions.
Retail Pharmacies Can Now Dispense Abortion Pills
Up until January 2023, mifepristone could only be dispensed by certain certified healthcare providers or mail-order pharmacies. But since a change in FDA regulations, you can now get mifepristone with a prescription from any retail pharmacy (in states where abortion is legal). In January 2023, the FDA made a change in how you can get abortion pills. Retail pharmacies are now able to dispense them, just like they would with other prescription medications. This change aims to reduce the extra barriers to getting an abortion pill prescription filled that existed until recently.
Understanding the Medication Abortion Process
Abortion pills consist of two different medications. Here is the protocol for how they are used:
- Mifepristone (Mifeprex): This is taken first to block progesterone, a hormone needed for a pregnancy to grow.
- Misoprostol (Cytotec): This is taken 24 to 48 hours later and causes your uterus to push the pregnancy tissue out of your body.
Legality and Prescription Requirements
Can you legally get abortion pills? The answer to this question depends on where you live. In states where medical abortions are legal, you can now get abortion pills from a certified retail pharmacy if you have a prescription from a certified provider. In states with abortion restrictions or bans, you wonât be able to get an abortion prescription or get it filled.
Do you need a prescription for abortion pills? Yes. You always need a prescription from a certified healthcare provider to get abortion pills. There are certain requirements a provider must meet in order to be certified. So not every healthcare provider is able to prescribe mifepristone.