Abortion Pill by Mail
You may have heard that some places offer at-home abortions with the abortion pill by mail. These pills may not always be effective or safe, and here’s why:
Abortion pills bought without a prescription are not FDA approved and risk being contaminated, counterfeit, or containing varying ingredients. Also, according to the FDA, it is illegal to order the pills without having a prescription.
The FDA also advises against buying abortion pills over the internet because you risk bypassing important safety guards that protect your health.
The steps for mail-order abortions generally include booking an online appointment for a telehealth visit where you will speak with a provider who will ask you questions. If you meet their criteria for the abortion pill, you should receive the pills by mail within 24 – 72 hours. You then start the abortion pill procedure at-home and follow-up with a telehealth clinician.
Not all abortions by mail are conducted through telehealth. Some online providers require only a questionnaire to be submitted and no follow-up telehealth visit. The cost may be lower, but the risks are higher.
In either case it is important that you have an ultrasound to confirm a positive pregnancy test before making your decision. The licensed medical professionals at the Shady Grove Pregnancy Center will perform your sonogram and our counselor can discuss your options with you. Knowing all the facts before starting the abortion procedure is vital. Call 301-963-6223.
This warning is found on the FDA label:
- Do Not Buy Mifeprex Over the Internet
- You should not buy Mifeprex over the Internet because you will bypass important safeguards designed to protect your health.
- Mifeprex has special safety restrictions on how it is distributed to the public. Also, drugs purchased from foreign Internet sources are not the FDA-approved versions of the drugs, and they are not subject to FDA-regulated manufacturing controls or FDA inspection of manufacturing facilities.
- To learn more about buying drugs safely, please see Buying Prescription Medicines Online: A Consumer Safety Guide [PDF]
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