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Pills in Advance

How people are getting abortion pills in advance

Medicine cabinet with abortion pills

What does it mean to get abortion pills in advance, in case of future need?  

  • Many providers will send abortion pills before needing them, to have on hand just in case. Providers are mailing pills in advance to all states and territories.
  • You don't need to be pregnant to get abortion pills.
  • Pills usually 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.
  • Abortion pills last for about two years when stored in a cool dry place. Providers recommend checking the expiration date before using them.
  • Research shows this has been happening for many years.
  • Depending on your location and situation, there may be legal risk. Read our FAQ or contact the ReproLegalHelpline with questions.

Where people get pills in advance

These telehealth services deliver pills in advance, in case of future need:

If you decide to use pills later, the services will still help with instructions and follow up support.

Online vendors also ship pills in advance:

  • See a list of Websites That Sell Pills here. Research shows that current prices starts at $65.
  • These websites sell abortion pills but do not include any additional support. People can still get free medical support for abortions from the M+A Hotline.

Resources & Information:

The M+A Hotline can answer questions and offer guidance.

Abortion pills are a public health tool used around the world. To learn how people use them, visit How to Take Abortion Pills: Step by Step Instructions.

Learn more about pills in advance in the FAQ below.

Frequently asked questions

What do I do when it's time to use the pills?

When ordered from a medical provider or service, people often contact the original provider if they decide to use the pills. People can also use directions and resources found online to self-manage their abortion with pills. The free confidential Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline can also answer questions.

See Plan C's step-by-step instructions for using abortion pills, developed with the M+A Hotline.

Can I get abortion pills in my state?

Yes, abortion pills can be ordered in advance from any state. Use the information above or this state directory to find a provider.

Since the end of Roe vs. Wade, tens of thousands of people all over the US have ordered pills in advance, and numbers continue to increase.

In some states or circumstances, there may be legal risk: contact the ReproLegalHelpline with questions about specific situations.

How long do abortion pills last?

Abortion pills can be kept for around 2 years before they start to degrade.  

It is recommended to keep the pills in their packaging until you need to use them, and to store them in a cool dry place, out of the reach of children and others who shouldn’t access them.

Some providers recommend keeping the pills in a bedroom drawer instead of a bathroom medicine cabinet, to keep them cool and dry.

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: reprolegalhelpline.org or 844-868-2812. Ineedana.com also has a state legal directory here. 

How do people get into trouble? 

Research by the legal organization If/When/How suggests these are the most common ways people have gotten into trouble:

  • they told someone about their abortion and that person reported them.
  • they got follow-up medical care and the provider reported them (many people say they are having a miscarriage to avoid this risk, which is medically what is happening in the body). 
  • they were later in pregnancy than they thought and didn’t know what to do with the fetal tissue (this calculator can help people understand how pregnant they are).

In the end, it is up to every individual to decide what level of legal risk they are willing to take. Read more about legal risk and find examples here.

The Repro Legal Helpline provides free, confidential information that can help people better understand possible legal risk: reprolegalhelpline.org or 844-868-2812.

What about online activity? Can that get someone in trouble?

People who have been criminalized for accessing or using pills have mostly been reported based on telling someone they know, or via a provider. That said, digital footprints (messages, browser history) also can be used as evidence against someone by authorities. Learn how to protect the privacy of your healthcare information and communications here. 

What other resources are available?