Can I use abortion pills after 12 weeks of pregnancy?

Abortion pills can also be used after 12 weeks of pregnancy. The chances of complications increase with the length of pregnancy, just as they do with miscarriages. A fetus and placenta will also be visible. It is very important to have a good plan, not to be alone, and to be prepared to reach a medical facility very quickly. The process and the risks at 14 weeks are more similar to the experience at 12 weeks, and are very different to an abortion at 18 or 20 weeks.

Please email info@womenhelp.org for more information or in case of questions.

For mifepristone and misoprostol after 12 weeks of pregnancy:

After 12 weeks of pregnancy, 1 pill of mifepristone (200 mg) and 10 to 12 pills of misoprostol may be needed. The recommended way to use the pills most effectively is to:

• Swallow 1 mifepristone pill.
• 24 to 48 hours later, put 2 pills of misoprostol (400 mcg in total) between the gums and the cheeks. Keep the pills in place until they dissolve, or for at least 30 minutes. After 30 minutes the remains of the pills can be swallowed.*
• After 3 hours put another 2 pills of misoprostol between the gums and the cheeks. Keep the pills in the cheeks until the tablets are dissolved, or for at least 30 minutes.*
• The dose of 2 pills every 3 hours can be repeated until the expulsion of fetus and placenta.*

*If the misoprostol pills also contain painkiller diclofenac (as for example, Arthrotec pills), it is strongly advised to spit out the remains of the pills after 30 minutes, rather than swallowing them.

For misoprostol only after 12 weeks of pregnancy:

After 12 weeks of pregnancy when using only misoprostol, 10 to 12 pills of misoprostol may be needed.

The recommended way to use the pills is to:

• Put 2 pills of 200 micrograms (in total 400 mcg) misoprostol under the tongue.  The pills should be kept under the tongue for at least 30 minutes or until the tablets are dissolved. After 30 minutes any remains of the pills can be swallowed.*
• After 3 hours put another 2 pills of misoprostol under the tongue. The pills should be kept under the tongue for at least 30 minutes or until the tablets are dissolved. After 30 minutes any remains of the pills can be swallowed.*
• After 3 hours, another 2 pills of misoprostol can be placed under the tongue. The pills should be kept under the tongue for at least 30 minutes or until the tablets are dissolved. After 30 minutes any remains of the pills can be swallowed.*
• The dose of 2 misoprostol pills under the tongue every 3 hours can be repeated until expulsion of fetus and placenta.*

*If the misoprostol pills also contain painkiller diclofenac (as for example, Arthrotec pills), it is strongly advised to spit out the remains of the pills after 30 minutes, rather than swallowing them.