How to Use Mifepristone and Misoprostol

How to Use Mifepristone and Misoprostol

Can I use Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills?

If you are less than 12 weeks pregnant, you can use this method. If you are more than 10 weeks pregnant, it may be safer for you to take the misoprostol pills at a health facility. If your period was more than 12 weeks ago, this method might not work for you.

How do I take the Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills?

STEP 1: Mifepristone
Swallow the first pill (mifepristone) with water.

STEP 2: Wait
Wait 1–2 days.

STEP 3: Misoprostol
Place the 4 pills (misoprostol) under your tongue and hold them there until they dissolve. After 30 minutes, swallow whatever is left with water.

If you are 10–12 weeks pregnant, you may need to take 1 or 2 extra doses of misoprostol to finish the process. To reduce pain and cramping, take ibuprofen before or just after you take the 4 pills of misoprostol.

What will happen when I take the pills?

Sometimes bleeding occurs after the first pill (mifepristone). The next pills you take (misoprostol) should cause bleeding and cramping, and you may see clots. Your bleeding may be more than your normal period. Every woman will experience bleeding and cramping differently.

You may have side effects on the day you take the 4 pills

When side effects occur, most go away in a few hours. If any side effects last longer than a day, go to your nearest health worker. ( Common Side Effect are: Vomiting, Fever chills, Headache, Diarrhea)

When should I seek help?

If you have any of the following symptoms, see a health worker for additional care:

Heavy bleeding or soaking more than 2 sanitary pads per hour for 2 hours in a row, especially if you feel dizzy, lightheaded and increasingly tired.
Unusual or bad-smelling vaginal discharge, especially if you also have severe cramps or abdominal pain.
Any of the following the day after you take the 4 pills of misoprostol:
- Fever
- Severe belly pain
- Feeling very sick with or without fever
Persistent severe nausea or vomiting

How do I know the pills worked?

If you experienced bleeding and cramping and you no longer feel pregnant, the medicine has probably worked.

If you experience no bleeding or have little bleeding within 4-5 days after taking the 4 pills, it may mean the medicines did not work and you are still pregnant. This happens to about 5 out of 100 women. To be certain, go to your nearest health worker for more help.

When can I have sex again?
You can have sex as soon as you like.

When can I get pregnant again?
You can become pregnant again as soon as 8 days after the abortion.

How can I NOT get pregnant?
If you do not want to get pregnant, use contraception. Talk to a health worker about contraception. You can start most methods at the same time you take the abortion pills.

Note: It is strictly forbidden to use this medicine without consulting a healthcare practitioner

Source: https://www.ipas.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IECHSS-E20.pdf