Is it Safe to Buy the Abortion Pill Online?

If you find yourself unexpectedly pregnant and thinking about obtaining the abortion pill, take the time to safeguard your health and safety by gathering the facts first. It may seem convenient, but there are risks involved. This article reviews some of the risks you may face when ordering the abortion pill online.

Before you buy the abortion pill online

One of the risks to buying the abortion pill online is encountering scam websites who claim to sell the abortion pill, but instead sell lower dosage pills or counterfeits.

The FDA warns: “FDA Does Not Recommend Buying Mifepristone Online” nor “personally transporting it from a foreign country.” The FDA cannot verify the “safety, effectiveness, and quality” of such drugs.

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy reports “nearly 95% of websites offering prescription-only drugs online operate illegally.” They also cite the ASOP Global Foundation survey that 24% of Americans who have used an online pharmacy have been exposed to “harmful, counterfeit, or substandard medication.” Scam Adviser has identified multiple online abortion pill vendors who are selling the drug illegally.

Some abortion pill shipments have taken up to 21 days to reach the buyer. This can be risky to a woman who is further along in her pregnancy than she thought, because the FDA approves the abortion pill only up to 10 weeks of pregnancy. The risk of needing surgery after taking abortion pill increases the further along the pregnancy is.  

Is there a risk of taking the abortion pill without having an ultrasound first?

Some abortion pill vendors will send the pills without the buyer having obtained an in-person medical visit. Obtaining a pregnancy screening and ultrasound is an important step for your health, even if you plan to take the abortion pill. An ultrasound provides important information about your pregnancy:

• The location of the pregnancy. If your pregnancy has implanted anywhere outside the uterus, you could have an ectopic pregnancy. In this instance, you would be advised to seek immediate medical attention. If you are considering taking the abortion pill, it could be especially dangerous if the pregnancy is ectopic. The FDA warns the abortion pill “will not be effective to terminate an ectopic pregnancy.”  Ectopic pregnancies occur in about 2% of pregnancies and have been increasing in recent years, especially among young women.
• The gestational age. This is determined by measuring the dimensions of the pregnancy. The abortion pill is FDA approved only through 10-weeks of pregnancy.
• The viability of the pregnancy. If a heartbeat cannot be detected, it is possible you may naturally miscarry. In this case, you would be advised to follow up with your physician and avoid taking abortion pills.

What is my next step?

You have the right to make an informed decision. Before ingesting an abortion pill from any source, it’s important for your health and safety to obtain a pregnancy screening that includes an ultrasound.  At Waterleaf Women’s Center, we offer pregnancy screening and ultrasound at no cost and insurance is not required.  Our medical professionals will answer your questions and listen to your concerns.  Your health and safety matters!  Call or text us confidentially at 630-360-2256 or contact us online.