Searching online about abortion can trigger ads for mail-order drugs, telehealth services, and websites promising a quick, private solution. Before ordering anything, learn how online sources differ, what safeguards Missouri currently requires, and the potential risks or complications involved.
Alpha House offers free, confidential appointments where you can discuss abortion drugs and your health with someone who will listen without pressure.
What “At-Home” Actually Means
The abortion pill involves two drugs, mifepristone (also known as Mifeprex or RU-486) and misoprostol (Cytotec and other trade names).
The term “at-home” describes where part of the process occurs: typically, an abortion provider prescribes the drugs, then a woman would take the first, mifepristone, in the clinic, and then take misoprostol 24-48 hours later at home. However, online providers have changed this format, and now the whole process can take place at home.
It does not mean medical factors such as gestational age and pregnancy location no longer matter.
Ectopic Pregnancy
In rare cases, a pregnancy develops outside the uterus. This is known as an ectopic pregnancy, and more than 90% occur in a fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy requires prompt medical care, which cannot be treated with abortion drugs. If the pregnancy continues growing, the fallopian tube can rupture and cause life-threatening internal bleeding.
This is one reason a healthcare provider’s evaluation of symptoms, health history, and ectopic pregnancy risk factors matters before thinking about ordering abortion drugs online.
Where the Risk Comes In
Online sources do not all operate under the same rules. The FDA warns that websites that do not require a prescription or operate through a licensed pharmacy may sell unapproved, counterfeit, or otherwise unsafe drugs.
The CDC reports that nearly 95% of websites offering prescription-only drugs operate illegally. This statistic applies to prescription-drug websites generally. Ordering from an unlicensed source may make it difficult to verify the product’s contents, authenticity, or handling.
What Missouri Law Requires
Missouri requires an in-person visit with a physician before abortion drugs can be prescribed. During this evaluation, the abortion provider must establish gestational age and rule out an ectopic pregnancy.
Websites that send abortion drugs without this in-person evaluation do not follow Missouri’s current requirements, putting your safety at risk.
Talk Through Your Questions at Alpha House
If you are considering ordering abortion drugs online, you may have questions about the source, Missouri requirements, and the potential side effects, risks, and complications.
Alpha House offers free, confidential appointments where you can discuss these concerns with someone who understands and cares about your health.
Contact Alpha House before considering your next step.
Alpha House does not provide or refer for abortions.
