How people are getting abortion pills in advance
Our research shows that many providers will send abortion pills in advance, to have on hand just in case.
What does it mean to get abortion pills in advance, in case of future need?
Many providers will send abortion pills to patients before they’re pregnant, to have on hand just in case.
Here's what to know:
- Availability: Providers are mailing pills in advance to all US states and territories.
- Cost: Pills typically cost between $70 and $150. Some providers offer discounts, but they ask that you pay what you can, to help cover the cost of medication and shipping.
- Shelf life: Abortion pills last for about two years when stored in a cool, dry place. Check expiration dates before use.
- Research shows that this practice has been happening for many years.
- Legal considerations: Depending on where someone lives and other factors, accessing pills in advance may come with legal risk. Read our FAQ [link] or contact the ReproLegal Helpline with questions.
Where people get pills in advance
Telehealth services
These telehealth services send abortion pills for future use:
- Abuzz Health, $90-$150 (all states except TX, GA, AL, MS)
- Aid Access, $150 (all states)
- A Safe Choice, $150 (all states)
- carafem, $299-$399 (in CO, CT, DE, IL, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, NV, NJ, NM, NY, OR, RI, VT, VA, WA, and Washington, DC)
- The MAP, $250 (all states)
- We Take Care of Us, $150+ (all states)
- Women on Web, $120 (all states)
If you decide to use the pills later, these services will offer instructions and follow-up support.
Other online vendors also send abortion pills in advance
- Here's a list of websites that sell pills. Research shows that current prices starts at $65.
- These websites sell abortion pills but do not offer any additional support. Free support is available from M+A Hotline and Reprocare.
Resources & information
Medical questions
Free, confidential support from expert clinicians. They don’t sell pills.
mahotline.org(833) 246-2632Abortion pill instructions
M+A Hotline's guide for how people use abortion pills.
plancpills.org/protocolFind pills in advance, by state
Options for at-home abortion pill access will vary by location. Click below to find options by state or territory.
Frequently asked questions
What support is available to someone who purchased pills in advance?
Most services that provide pills in advance also offer support later on, when pills are used. Resources and directions for self-managing an abortion can be found online, and free phone and text support is also available from M+A Hotline and Reprocare.
Check out Plan C's step-by-step instructions for using abortion pills, created in collaboration with the M+A Hotline.
Are abortion pills available in advance in every state?
Yes, abortion pills can be ordered in advance from any state. Use the information above or refer to this state directory to find a provider.
Since the end of Roe v. Wade, tens of thousands of people across the US have ordered pills in advance, and those numbers continue to rise.
Getting pills in certain states or under specific circumstances may involve legal risks. The Repro Legal Helpline can answer specific questions.
How long are abortion pills good for?
After receiving the medications in the mail, they should be stored at room temperature in their original, unopened packaging.
- Mifepristone has a shelf life of about 5 years.
- Misoprostol tablets have a shelf life of about 2 years.
Checking the expiration date is the best way to know if the pills are still viable. Expired mifepristone or misoprostol might not work as well. Medications should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from children and anyone who shouldn't have access to them.
Some providers recommend storing them in a bedroom drawer instead of a bathroom cabinet to keep them in good condition.
Can someone get in trouble for using abortion pills?
- Research shows that hundreds of thousands of people have received and used pills by mail over the past few years with no legal problems.
- But, in rare cases (less than 1%), people have gotten in legal trouble, even though most states don’t have laws against doing your own abortion.
- Legal risk can depend on where someone lives, their identity and how far along they are in pregnancy. Also know that even if something isn’t a crime, people can still be targeted by law enforcement.
The Repro Legal Helpline provides free, confidential information that can help people better understand legal risk:
Ineedana.com also has a state legal directory:
What other resources are available?
- Frequently Asked Questions: Find answers to common questions about abortion pills.
- How to take Abortion pills: Step-by-Step Instructions: Learn about the two methods.
- Need pills now (and not for future use)? Visit the Guide to Pills to see options by state.
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This is not legal or medical advice and does not substitute for the representation of an attorney or the advice of a doctor. No attorney client relationship has been formed by reviewing this material. In this website when we use the term "Guide," we refer to a health information resource that aggregates publicly-available services, hotlines and data.
