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Cytotec for Abortion: Everything You Need to Know

Illustration of a hand holding a box of Cytotec, a 200 mcg misoprostol medication. Speech bubble showing the two types of misoprostol pills that can be found inside: white hexagonal or white round tablets.

There are many different types of abortion pills on the market and availability is different around the world. Cytotec is among the most common of these pills. Whether you are concerned about how Cytotec works, pricing, dosage or where to get it, we hope this guide will be useful. If you have additional questions, please reach out to one of our counselors directly by email or live chat and we will be happy to support.

ABORTION WITH PILLS

Understanding the Cytotec Pill

Cytotec pills contain misoprostol, a prostaglandin that causes softening and dilation of the cervix and uterine contractions when used during pregnancy. It is produced by the Pfizer pharmaceutical company.

SAFE AND EFFECTIVE

How Cytotec Works

Cytotec works by softening and dilating the cervix, and it also causes the uterus to contract. All of these actions help to expel the pregnancy. Typically it will start working within ~1 hour of use, but it can take longer.

Illustration of a hand holding a misoprostol pill with more pills floating above. Text reads: "How Cytotec Works"

DOSAGE

What is the Cytotec Dosage?

Cytotec typically comes pack size of 3, 4, 10, 14, 28 pills of 200 mcg of misoprostol each.

For an abortion using misoprostol alone in pregnancies that are below 13 weeks, you'll need 12 pills containing 200 mcg of misoprostol each.

You need 2400 mcg of misoprostol in total, used in 3 doses as explained below.

  • 1st dose:: 4 x 200 mcg misoprostol pills – a total of 800 mcg.
  • 2nd dose:: 4 x 200 mcg misoprostol pills – a total of 800 mcg.
  • 3rd dose:: 4 x 200 mcg misoprostol pills – a total of 800 mcg.

For an abortion using mifepristone and misoprostol in pregnancies that are below 13 weeks, you'll need:

  • 1 mifepristone pill of 200 mg, and 4-8 misoprostol pills of 200 mcg each in two doses of 4 pills.

If you have any questions, please contact our counselors for guidance.

MEDICATION APPEARANCE

What Do Cytotec Pills Look Like?

Cytotec 200mcg tablets are small, white, hexagonally shaped pills. They are scored in the center and will have "searle" and/or "1461" imprinted onto them.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

Step-by-Step Usage Guide

Cytotec (misoprostol) can be used after taking mifepristone, or it can be used on its own. This guide explains how to use only misoprostol (Cytotec) for a safe abortion with pills. In this case, you will need 12 Cytotec pills, each containing 200 mcg of misoprostol.

If you have access to both mifepristone and misoprostol and want to use the combined method, please visit our protocol page for full instructions.

Here’s how to use misoprostol alone if you are less than 13 weeks pregnant:

Download detailed guidelines on how to use the pills for a safe and successful abortion.

Step 1:

Two vertical ibuprofen tablets with a plus symbol and a glass of water.
  • — Take 800 mg of ibuprofen.
  • — Wait 30 minutes

Step 2:

Illustrated open mouth showing how to put four misoprostol tablets sublingually, followed by an arrow marking 30 minutes with a plus sign, and a glass of water to the right.
  • — Place 4 misoprostol pills under your tongue and keep them there for 30 minutes.
  • — After 30 minutes, you can drink some water to swallow any leftover bits.
  • — Wait 3 hours

Step 3:

Illustrated open mouth showing how to put four misoprostol tablets sublingually, followed by an arrow marking 30 minutes with a plus sign, and a glass of water to the right.
  • — Place another 4 misoprostol pills under your tongue for 30 minutes.
  • — After 30 minutes, you can drink some water to swallow any leftover bits.
  • — Wait 3 hours

Step 4:

Illustrated open mouth showing how to put four misoprostol tablets sublingually, followed by an arrow marking 30 minutes with a plus sign, and a glass of water to the right.
  • — Place another 4 misoprostol pills under your tongue for 30 minutes.
  • — After 30 minutes, you can drink some water to swallow any leftover bits.

Download detailed guidelines on how to use the pills for a safe and successful abortion.

Illustration of a person with pink hair shivering, wrapped in a blue blanket, looking unwell. The word "Chills" is displayed below.
Person with pink hair looks nauseous, holding mouth and stomach, side effect of misoprostol, teal background. Background is teal with text "Nausea".
Illustration of a person with a headache, hand on forehead, wavy lines above. Blue background, pink top. Word "Headache" below.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Possible Side Effects and Management

Misoprostol Pill Icon

After taking misoprostol:

When using misoprostol, cramping and bleeding are normal side effects that show the medicine is working. The bleeding may be heavier than a regular period and can last for several days, continuing until your next period.

Other possible side effects include: fever, diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and chills. These side effects should go away within 24 hours.

Illustration of two soaked pads in pink and purple on light pink background, showing a warning sign of excessive post-abortion bleeding.
Illustration of a thermometer indicating a fever after using misoprostol
Gray hand making a bird-shaped shadow puppet, symbolizing allergic reactions like swelling, itchiness, or breathing difficulty.

WHEN TO SEEK HELP

Safety Warnings and Precautions when using Cytotec

Complications after an abortion with pills are rare. However, if you experience at least one of the following symptoms, it is considered a warning sign and you should seek medical help immediately.

Bleeding:  If you completely soak two or more pads (front to back, side to side) in 1 hour or less and this lasts for 2 consecutive hours or more.

Fever:  If you have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher that starts 24 hours or more after taking misoprostol and doesn’t go down with medicine like ibuprofen.

Pain:  If you experience severe abdominal pain that doesn’t get better after taking pain medicine like ibuprofen.

Infection:  If you feel very sick or notice bad-smelling discharge coming from your vagina.

Allergic reaction:  If you have swelling or redness on your hands, face, or neck that doesn't get better with an antihistamine or if you have trouble breathing (a severe allergic reaction).

GETTING THE PILLS

How to Get Cytotec Abortion Pills?

Where to buy Cytotec?

The availability of Cytotec abortion pills is variable depending on geographic location.

Cytotec is also indicated for stomach ulcers, so it can sometimes be found over-the-counter without a prescription. If this is the case, Cytotec is likely located near the stomach medications in your local pharmacy. If they are not found there, it is likely that it requires a prescription.

It has been verified that Cytotec is officially available in these countries:

Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Cote d'Ivoire, Dem. Rep. of Congo, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Zambia

To check if Cytotec is accessible in your country, you can visit MedAb.org. Use their search feature to look up Cytotec or other misoprostol brands available in your area. You can also explore our Types of Pills & Brands page for a regional overview of abortion pill availability.

You can also get in touch with our counselors, and they will be able to help you locate a trustworthy provider near you.

Cost considerations

The Cytotec price is often quite low, but it will vary depending on geographic location. Different countries have different laws about abortion, and this can also affect the price of Cytotec. It is possible that in countries with legal restrictions on abortion, the price of Cytotec without a prescription could be more costly.

There are organizations that will ship the pills for a donation, you can check out Women on Web and Women Help Women for more information about obtaining the pills.

Buying pills online

You can buy Cytotec online in some places where it is legal, but be careful, some websites sell fake pills that might not work or could potentially harm you. Always make sure you buy from a trusted website. Take a look at our recommendations on finding abortion pills.

Get support now

Get in touch with our counselors by email or live chat and they will be able to help you locate a trustworthy provider near you.

Start counseling.
User questioning herself, face resting on hand, question mark above her head representing common questions and answers about using Cytotec abortion pills.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cytotec

Using mifepristone together with misoprostol (Cytotec) is highly effective when done within the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. If used correctly and as instructed, it works in over 95% of cases. When only misoprostol is used and the correct steps are followed, it works in about 85–93% of cases.

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Sources and medical expertise behind this information

By the safe2choose team and supporting experts at carafem, based on the 2022 Abortion Care Guideline by the WHO, the 2023 Clinical Updates in Reproductive Health by Ipas, and the 2024 Clinical Policy Guidelines for Abortion Care by NAF.

safe2choose is supported by a Medical Advisory Board formed by leading experts in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

carafem: provides convenient and professional abortion care and family planning so people can control the number and spacing of their children.

Ipas: is an international organization focused on expanding access to safe abortion and contraceptive care.

WHO: the World Health Organization – is a specialized United Nations agency responsible for international public health.

NAF: the National Abortion Federation – is a professional association in the USA supporting safe, evidence-based abortion care and reproductive rights.