Can I Buy the Abortion Pill Online?

With the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the summer of 2022, finding information about what’s available to you in your state can feel a bit like solving a puzzle. 

Currently, the state of Florida does not allow the purchase of a medication abortion after a telehealth consultation. You must first have an in-person visit with your doctor before picking up the prescription at your local pharmacy.

Read the rest of this article to learn more about what a medication abortion entails.

What Is the Abortion Pill and Its Risks?

The abortion pill is actually two separate drugs: mifepristone is taken first and then followed 24-48 hours later by misoprostol.

The first drug, mifepristone is an antiprogestin, which means that it prevents the hormone, progesterone, from reaching the pregnancy. Progesterone is an essential hormone for pregnancy development, so taking mifepristone ends the pregnancy.

After the pregnancy has been terminated, then misoprostol is taken 24-48 hours later. This drug induces cramping so that the uterus will expel the fetus and any pregnancy-related tissue.

According to the Mayo Clinic, potential risks include:

• Incomplete abortion, which may need to be followed by surgical abortion
• An ongoing unwanted pregnancy if the procedure doesn’t work
• Heavy and prolonged bleeding
• Infection
• Fever
• Digestive system discomfort
• Anemia

Things to Know Before Traveling for an Abortion

The abortion pill is only FDA-approved for up to 10 weeks, so you will want to take a pregnancy test as well as schedule an ultrasound to verify the age of your pregnancy. 

You’ll also want to make sure that you do not meet any of the following conditions that can disqualify you: 

• An intrauterine device (IUD)
• Allergies to the medications used in the medical abortion
• Heart, blood vessel, liver, kidney, or lung diseases
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Use of blood thinners or steroid medications

If you are considering traveling out of state, it’s also helpful to be aware of the costs of abortion. In addition to travel expenses, it can cost more than $500 for a medication abortion, depending on your healthcare coverage.

Next Steps

We recommend you first take a pregnancy test. After confirming your pregnancy we then schedule an appointment for a no-cost ultrasound or talk to a trusted PCP for a full physical, to give a more complete health history and to know the risks of the Abortion Pill.

Following these steps will help protect your health and wellness and provide understanding as you review all your options. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!