A Guide To Approved Abortion Pills: Everything You Need To Know

Table of Contents

What Are Abortion Pills?

Abortion pills, also referred to as medical abortion pills are a combination of 2 approved tablets:- Mifepristone and Misoprostol. These tablets are designed to end a pregnancy by causing causing the uterus to contract and release the pregnancy.

Abortion Pills vs. Emergency Contraception

Yes, abortion medication is different from emergency contraception like Plan B One-Step and ella, known as “morning-after pills.” Emergency contraception pills are taken within 3 to 5 days after unprotected sex. These medications help prevent a pregnancy before it begins; they don’t end an existing pregnancy.

Abortion pills on the other hand are meant to safely terminate a developed pregnancy within the first 10 weeks and require a prescription from a healthcare provider incase you want to buy them over the counter.

How Do Abortion Pills Work?

Abortion pills work in two steps. The first medicine Mifepristone, stops the hormone progesterone which is needed for the pregnancy to continue.

The second medicine Misoprostol, makes the uterus contract and releases the pregnancy tissue. Together, they safely complete the process.

Watch the video to see abortion pills work in practice, or read our guide on how abortion pills work for a more detailed explanation.

How Effective Are Abortion Tablets?

The Abortion pills are very effective with a success rate of up to 98% for pregnancies under 8 weeks. Effectiveness can also vary depending on how far along the pregnancy is, and how many doses of medicine you take.

At 8 weeks pregnant or less, it works about 94-98% of the time.
At 8-9 weeks pregnant, it works about 94-96% of the time.
At 9-10 weeks pregnant, it works about 91-93% of the time.

In general, taking both mifepristone and misoprostol works better than taking misoprostol only. Misoprostol alone can also work but its success rate will be about 85-95% most of the times.

Till What Stage Can You Use Abortion Pills?

What Should I Know Before Taking Abortion Pills

Medical abortion tablets are a non-surgical method of ending an early unwanted pregnancy, usually within the first trimester or first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

However, it is important to note that this pregnancy termination method is not suitable option for every woman:-

For instance, women with tubal pregnancies also known as an ectopic can not use abortion medications.
Women with bleeding disorders or taking blood-thinning medications should not terminate using abortion tablets.
Women who have adrenal gland problems or have been using steroids for long are also not suitable for this medication.
And most importantly, if do not have access to emergency care in case of complications do not use the abortion medication.

What Are the Side Effects of Abortion Pills?

When taking abortion pills (mifepristone followed by misoprostol), most women will experience some side effects. Common effects include:

Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea
Headaches, dizziness, chills, or feeling tired
Cramping or abdominal pain similar to strong periods
Followed by heavy bleeding or passing clots similar to a miscarriage

Those side effects are usually mild and go away within a couple of days. However you should contact a healthcare provider if the bleeding is very heavy, the pain is severe, or you develop a high fever.

For more detailed guidance on what to expect and how to manage side effects of abortion pills, visit our cluster page about Abortion Pill Side Effects ↗

📌 Learn More: How To Prepare For A Medical Abortion Process.

At What Stage Can You Get an Abortion in SA?

Abortion is legal in South Africa up to 12 weeks on request, and up to 20 weeks under certain conditions. Safe, confidential abortion services are available at licensed private clinics and government hospitals country wide.

What Should I Know Before Taking the Abortion Pill?

Medical abortion tablets are a non-surgical method of ending an early unwanted pregnancy, usually within the first trimester or first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

However, it is important to note that this pregnancy termination method is not suitable option for every woman:-

For instance, women with tubal pregnancies also known as an ectopic can not use abortion medications.
Women with bleeding disorders or taking blood-thinning medications should not terminate using abortion tablets.
Women who have adrenal gland problems or have been using steroids for long are also not suitable for this medication.
And most importantly, if do not have access to emergency care in case of complications do not use the abortion medication.

📌 To Learn More:- Read Our Ultimate Guide To A Medical Termination of Pregnancy.

How Much Do Abortion Pills Cost?

The price of safe abortion pills in South-Africa varies depending on how many weeks the pregnancy is, the abortion clinic you contacted and the package you choose. For instance at Carlton women’s clinic, we offer:-

Standard Package – From R599.
Includes consultation, abortion medication plus womb cleaning tablets.
Telehealth Package – From R700.
Includes everything in the standard package including delivery.

Across South Africa, abortion pill costs can range between R800 and R1500 depending on the provider. However our clinic keeps prices affordable, starting from just R599, while ensuring safe and professional care.

📌 See Detailed Breakdown:- Cost of Abortion Pills .

Aftercare and Recovery

After undergoing an abortion, it is common for some women to experience a wide array of strong emotions and notable mood changes in the days and weeks that follow the procedure. These emotional fluctuations can be largely attributed to the sudden and significant change in hormone levels that occurs as the body adjusts to the absence of pregnancy.

Where to Get Safe Abortion Pills Near You

If you wondering where to get abortion pills near you, or places that offer abortion services, we always suggest that you get abortion medication from registered abortion clinics, public hospitals or trusted online Telemedicine providers.

At Carlton women’s clinic you can access safe and affordable abortion medication via:-

In-clinic Visits:- For women who prefer face to face consultations and also need to performs ultra sound scans for assurance.
Telehealth Abortions:- This is a discreet and private online consultation for those in remote areas or prefer privacy.
Delivery via Courier:-You can request to have the abortion medication delivered to you. We serve South-Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

🛑 Avoid buying pills from unverified sources or street vendors because they might give fake medicines or less dosses and as result end up with an incomplete abortion, abortion complications or even death.

Access to abortion medication can differ from one country to another. Some countries allow abortions other countries are against the termination of pregnancy Act!

Cross-Border Access from Southern Africa

Guidance for international readers or nearby countries.

If you’re unsure where to go or if you’re traveling from another Southern African country, click here to learn more about legal access and cross-border options.

🛑 Need help finding a safe Abortion provider? Visit our guide:- How To Find A Legal Abortion Clinic Near You

References

FIGO – Mifepristone & Misoprostol Dosing Chart, 2023:- Read here ↗
WHO – Abortion care guidelines, 2023:- Read here ↗
Carlton Women’s Clinic – Post Abortion Care Guide: Read here ↗
Ipas – Safe abortion and access resources:- Read here ↗
SAHPRA – Info on abortion pill approvals (mifepristone + misoprostol) : Read here ↗