A safe, effective medication used to end pregnancies — and one of the most important medicines in the world.
Misoprostol is a medication that has been on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines since 1988. It was originally developed to treat stomach ulcers, but is now widely used in obstetric and gynecological care — including to safely end pregnancies.
It works by causing the uterus to contract, which ends the pregnancy and expels the contents of the uterus. It is safe, effective, and can be used at home.
Good to know: Misoprostol is sold under many brand names around the world — Cytotec, Arthrotec, Oxaprost, Cyprostol, Prostokos, and Misotrol among them. In many countries it is available over the counter at pharmacies.
Mifepristone (also called RU-486 or the "abortion pill") is a medication that blocks the hormone progesterone, which is needed for a pregnancy to continue. It is used together with misoprostol for the most effective medication abortion regimen.
Used together, mifepristone and misoprostol are over 95% effective in ending a pregnancy. However, mifepristone is not available everywhere — which is why misoprostol alone remains the backbone of safe abortion access globally.
When mifepristone is not available, misoprostol can be used on its own. Used correctly, it is effective in approximately 80–85% of cases up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. The World Health Organization endorses miso-only protocols as a safe and effective option.
The most important thing is to follow the correct dosage and administration protocol. Detailed, medically accurate instructions are available in 27 languages at HowToUseAbortionPill.org.
Yes. Medication abortion with misoprostol (with or without mifepristone) is very safe. Serious complications are rare — significantly rarer than the risks associated with continuing a pregnancy to term. Millions of people use these medications safely each year, including in settings with limited medical supervision.
Common side effects include cramping, bleeding, nausea, and diarrhea. These are normal and expected — they indicate the medication is working. Symptoms typically resolve within a few hours.
Important: If you have heavy bleeding (soaking more than two thick pads per hour for two or more hours), a fever lasting more than 24 hours, or severe abdominal pain that doesn't improve, seek medical care. You can tell a doctor or emergency room that you are having a miscarriage — the treatment is identical and you are not required to disclose that you took medication.
The most comprehensive, medically reviewed instructions are at HowToUseAbortionPill.org — available in 27 languages with a live chat for immediate support.
Women on Web also has detailed FAQs and guidance: womenonweb.org