It is never safe to order the abortion pill online. For your health and safety, you should never take any prescription medication that isn’t prescribed to you by your doctor.

The FDA warns that you should never buy the abortion pill from online sources. Additionally, it has given mifepristone, the first of the two medications used in the abortion pill regimen, a black box warning. This means that it has identified several risks that make this medication more dangerous than most prescription drugs.

This blog will explain the dangers of getting the abortion pill online. We’ll also offer tips to help you protect your health while deciding what to do about your unexpected pregnancy.

Should I order the abortion pill online in Florida?

No, you should not order the abortion pill online, even in states with abortion limits.

The Florida Supreme Court’s recent ruling has created a lot of turmoil. If you are pregnant and considering abortion, you may feel trapped. Ordering the abortion pill by mail may seem like the best option.

As you’ll see in this blog, doing so is both dangerous and illegal.

Before taking this risk, we encourage you to explore the other options and resources available. We’ll explain more at the end of this blog.

What are the risks of ordering mifepristone online?

1. The medication may come from unregulated sources

In the U.S., every medication is regulated by the FDA. The agency tests the safety and effectiveness of every drug legally used in the country.

But medications made outside of the U.S. don’t have to meet the same standards.

On its website, the FDA warns that it “does not have regulatory oversight of prescription medicines from outside the legitimate U.S. drug supply chain; therefore, the FDA cannot ensure the safety, effectiveness, or quality of those medications.”

Though you may be ordering “mifepristone” through these websites, the pill you receive may use different ingredients or unsafe processes. You may unknowingly expose yourself to dangerous substances or bacteria by taking these drugs.

The medication may come from unregulated sources

Already, the FDA has sent letters to websites that sell the abortion pill, including AidAccess and Rablon, warning them to stop selling these unauthorized drugs. There have also been several court cases involving people illegally selling the abortion pill online.

Your health and life are more important than these online abortion pills. Don’t risk your well-being for these unknown and dangerous medications.

2. You may be at risk for serious complications

The websites that sell mifepristone online remove medical oversight from the abortion process. You won’t see a doctor before getting the pills, which increases your risk of complications.

For example, the FDA has only approved the abortion pill for use during the first 70 days of pregnancy. Taking it after 10 weeks gestational age increases your risk of serious, potentially life-threatening complications.

The only way to determine your gestational age accurately is through a pregnancy ultrasound. While you can count the number of weeks that have passed since your last period, this method isn’t as reliable. You may be farther along than you think.

It’s always crucial to have an ultrasound before getting an abortion, no matter the method.

Ectopic pregnancies are also detected through ultrasounds. If the embryo implanted outside of your uterus, the FDA warns, the abortion pill won’t end your pregnancy. It may kill the embryo, but it won’t remove the pregnancy tissue. This may lead to a life-threatening infection called sepsis.

According to the FDA, you shouldn’t take the abortion pill if you:

have adrenal gland problems
currently receive long-term corticosteroid medications
are allergic to mifepristone, misoprostol, or similar drugs
take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder
have inherited porphyria
currently have an intrauterine device (IUD)

You deserve to feel safe and to protect your health. Explore your other pregnancy options before risking your well-being and ordering the abortion pill from an online source.

3. The abortion pill is a high-risk medication

Mifepristone is one of 66 drugs to have a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program, often called a “black box warning.” The FDA decided to restrict the abortion pill with a REMS program to “mitigate the risk of serious complications associated with mifepristone when used for medical termination of pregnancy through ten weeks gestation.”

Under the program, only certified medical professionals and pharmacies are allowed to legally prescribe the medication. But the websites selling the abortion pill aren’t certified under this program. They’re breaking the law when they sell it to anyone who accesses the website without checking to make sure it’s safe for them to take the medication.

The abortion pill is a high risk medication

Generally, women call the prescribing doctor for help and questions during the abortion. But if you didn’t get the pills from a doctor, you won’t have this resource during a self-managed abortion. Your doctor may also be able to identify potential complicating health factors before you take the abortion pill.

The need to get the abortion pill from a doctor may seem like an unnecessary hardship, but this requirement is intended to protect your health. Be wary of any sources that offer mifepristone without an appointment with a doctor who knows your health history.

Discover your pregnancy options at Thrive Orlando

Whether you are five weeks or five months pregnant, you have several options. During your free appointment, we’ll help you explore each of these choices. You’ll also receive information about the additional resources that can help with your pregnancy.

You aren’t in this alone. There is hope for your future. And we’re here to help you find it.

Schedule your no-cost appointment

Is It Safe to Order the Abortion Pill Online?