Cytotec, Misoprostol, Mifepristone for ABORTION

“A medical abortion, also referred to as a pill-induced abortion, requires the use of two medications, namely mifepristone and misoprostol.

In this article, we furnish details about:

1. The procedure for administering mifepristone.
2. The methods for taking misoprostol (either orally or vaginally).
3. Guidance on whether misoprostol can be taken at night or in the morning.
4. Post-medical abortion care.”

How to take mifepristone:

The initial step in a medical abortion involves the use of mifepristone, the first medication. This medication works by blocking the hormone necessary for the pregnancy to develop.

To take mifepristone, remove the tablet from the blister pack and swallow it with a generous amount of water. Following the ingestion of mifepristone, most individuals can resume their regular daily activities. However, some may experience occasional bleeding and pain.

In case you vomit within 20 minutes of taking the mifepristone tablet, please contact our dedicated 24-hour aftercare line to speak with a nurse at +639309112199

How to take misoprostol:

The second medication in medical abortion care is called misoprostol, which induces the expulsion of the pregnancy from the womb.

You can take misoprostol between 24 and 48 hours after the initial medication (mifepristone).

We recommend taking your chosen painkillers 10 minutes before planning to take misoprostol, and then follow these steps:

1. Remove the 4 tablets of misoprostol from the blister pack.
2. Place all 4 tablets either vaginally (recommended for fewer side effects) or, if you prefer, in your mouth between your gum and cheek.
3. The tablets may come out of the vagina when bleeding starts. If this happens, don’t worry, as the medication will have been absorbed within 30 minutes.
4. 3 hours after taking the initial 4 tablets of misoprostol, take the remaining 2 tablets unless you are certain that you have already expelled the pregnancy.

How to take misoprostol vaginally:

1. Empty your bladder.
2. Wash your hands.
3. Using your finger, push the misoprostol tablets up into the vagina one at a time. Insert them as far
   as you can.
4. If tablets fall out in the first 30 minutes, re-insert them.

Instructions for oral administration of misoprostol:

Place 2 misoprostol tablets on each side of your mouth, positioning them between your cheek and gums. Allow them to remain in your mouth for 30 minutes to dissolve. After the designated time, you can swallow any remaining undissolved tablets with water. Note that the tablets may impart an unpleasant taste. For comprehensive guidance on taking misoprostol orally or vaginally, complete with diagrams, please refer to our medical abortion treatment and aftercare booklet.

Is it okay to take misoprostol at night or in the morning?

As long as you follow the instructions provided by the nurse or midwife during your appointment, the choice of when to take misoprostol is yours. You have the flexibility to take the tablets at any time of the day – whether at night or in the morning. However, it’s important to note that you may experience bleeding and cramping pains within a few hours of taking misoprostol, so you may want to consider this when deciding the most convenient time for you.

The abortion process typically concludes within 1-2 days, although in some cases, it may take up to 2 weeks to fully expel all pregnancy tissue, and bleeding may continue for up to 8 weeks.

Many individuals experience significant cramping pain and may find pain relief beneficial. It is recommended to take pain relief before misoprostol or, if preferred, when you start feeling cramps intensifying. Detailed guidance on pain relief can be found on our medical abortion aftercare page and in our medical abortion treatment