Can I Buy Abortion Pills Over the Counter?

If pregnancy wasn't a part of your plan, you may be looking for a private and easy way to end it. You may be wondering if you can pick up abortion pills over the counter at your local pharmacy.

Are Abortion Pills Available Over the Counter? 

Over the counter medications do not require a prescription and can be used by individuals without the involvement of a healthcare provider.[1] However, abortion pills do require a prescription and oversight by a healthcare provider, so abortion pills are not available over the counter. 

Per the FDA, Mifepristone and Misoprostol (the two pills used in the abortion pill protocol) must be prescribed by a certified healthcare provider.[2] Only a certified pharmacy can dispense the medication. 

You should never order abortion pills online from overseas pharmacies, as studies show that the pills contain an unknown amount of the medication and could be dangerous.[4]

What You Need to Know Before Taking the Abortion Pill

Before obtaining a prescription for the abortion pill, you need a diagnostic screening, which will help you know these things: 

1. Estimated Gestational Age (or how far along you are in your pregnancy). Gestational age can be estimated based on a woman’s last menstrual period, but a diagnostic screening is the most exact way to determine the gestational age.[5]
2. Location of the Pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy develops outside of the uterus and can be life-threatening if not properly treated. So, before taking abortion pills, it is recommended that a woman receive a diagnostic screening first. 
3. Viability of Pregnancy. Almost 10-20% of known pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and almost 80% of those occur within the first three months of pregnancy.[6]

You will not be eligible for the abortion pill if[7]:

• You’re more than ten weeks pregnant. 
• You have an IUD (Intrauterine Device). 
• You have a clotting disorder or some other medical condition. Speak with a healthcare professional before an abortion. 
• You don’t have access to emergency care. In the case that you experience complications after a chemical abortion, you should have access to emergency care. 

Abortion Pill Information

Figuring out what to do about an unplanned pregnancy can feel overwhelming, but you are not alone. Care Pregnancy Clinic is here for you. We provide no-cost pregnancy tests, diagnostic screenings, and abortion information, so you can make the best decision for your health and future.

Sources

1. FDA. (2022, November). Q&A On OTC. FDA. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/cder-small-business-industry-assistance-sbia/small-business-assistance-frequently-asked-questions-regulatory-process-over-counter-otc-drugs
2. FDA. (2023, January). Questions and Answers on Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation. FDA. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation?sm_guid=NTU1NzgyfDYzMDE1OTM2fC0xfGppbUBha2ZhbWlseS5vcmd8NTY4OTI4MXx8MHwwfDE5OTYwMDk4OHwxMDg2fDB8MHx8NTQ3NzI2fDA1
3. Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in Case on Right to Travel to Access Legal Abortions. (2023, November 9). https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-files-statement-interest-case-right-travel-access-legal-abortions.
4. See #2.
5. Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Ultrasound in Pregnancy. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/9704-ultrasound-in-pregnancy
6. Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023, September 8). Miscarriage. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/symptoms-causes/syc-20354298 
7.  See #2.