Side Effects

Cramping and bleeding are an expected part of ending a pregnancy. Usually, these symptoms mean that the treatment is working. But sometimes you can get cramping and bleeding and still be pregnant. This is why you must return to your provider on Day 3 and about Day 14. If you are not already bleeding after taking Mifeprex, you probably will begin to bleed once you take misoprostol, the medicine you take on Day 3.

Bleeding or spotting can be expected for an average of 9–16 days and may last for up to 30 days. Your bleeding may be similar to, or greater than, a normal heavy period. If you soak through two thick full-size sanitary pads per hour for two hours or if you are concerned about heavy bleeding, contact your provider.

You may want to review the “How Much Am I Bleeding”¹ guide for information on differences between scant, light, moderate and heavy bleeding. This guide provides basic information and does not replace medical advice or guidance from your provider. You should contact your physician with your medical questions, as s/he will have the most information about your specific situation.

Other common side effects include:

Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Dizziness
Back pain
Tiredness

Side effects lessen after Day 3 and are usually gone by Day 14. You should discuss with your provider how to manage any pain or other side effects.

1. Developed by Planned Parenthood of Western Washington

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Although cramping and bleeding are an expected part of ending a pregnancy, rarely, serious and potentially life-threatening bleeding, infections, or other problems can occur following a miscarriage, surgical abortion, medical abortion, or childbirth. Prompt medical attention is needed in these circumstances. Serious infection has resulted in death in a very small number of cases; in most of these cases misoprostol was used in the vagina. There is no information that use of Mifeprex and misoprostol caused these deaths. If you have any questions, concerns, or problems, or if you are worried about any side effects or symptoms, you should contact your provider.

Be sure to contact your provider promptly if you have any of the following:

Heavy Bleeding. Contact your provider right away if you bleed enough to soak through two thick full-size sanitary pads per hour for two consecutive hours or if you are concerned about heavy bleeding. In about 1 out of 100 women, bleeding can be so heavy that it requires a surgical procedure (surgical abortion/D&C) to stop it.

Abdominal Pain or “Feeling Sick”. If you have abdominal pain or discomfort, or you are “feeling sick”, including weakness, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, with or without fever, more than 24 hours after taking misoprostol, you should contact your provider without delay. These symptoms may be a sign of a serious infection or another problem (including an ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy outside the womb).

Fever. In the days after treatment, if you have a fever of 100.4°F or higher that lasts for more than 4 hours, you should contact your provider right away. Fever may be a symptom of a serious infection or another problem (including an ectopic pregnancy).

Take your MEDICATION GUIDE with you. When you visit an emergency room or a provider who did not give you your Mifeprex, you should give them your MEDICATION GUIDE so that they understand that you are having a medical abortion with Mifeprex.