What are the risks of taking abortion pills?

Abortion pills are very safe. As with any medication there are some potential risks. We will talk to you about these possible complications during your consultation.

If you feel worried about your recovery, or if you feel unwell call our 24-hour aftercare line.

Understanding Complications

Serious complications have warning signs. If you have any of the symptoms listed below call our Patient Support Line Aftercare line straight away as they can (but not always) be a sign of infection or complication:

• Flu-like symptoms such as a fever, high temperature and feeling generally unwell  after your abortion , this could be a sign of infection or sepsis.
• Abdominal (tummy) pain or discomfort that is not helped by pain relief medication, or by using a heat pad.
• Vaginal discharge that smells foul.
• Very heavy bleeding. Soaking through more than 2 heavy-flow sanitary towels an hour for more than 2 hours in a row.
• During a medical abortion – No bleeding, or only spotting or scant bleeding 24-48 hours after taking Misoprostol tablets.
• If you have pregnancy symptoms 2 weeks after a surgical abortion.

Features suggestive of sepsis and indicating the need for urgent intervention include:

• Low Blood Pressure which may present in the form of light-headedness or dizziness, feeling sick, blurred vision, generally feeling weak, confusion and fainting.
• Fast Heart rate when not undertaking physical activities.
• Increased breathing rate when not undertaking physical activities.

For further information about sepsis https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/]

•  Relatives concerned about mental status
• Loss of consciousness

Find out more about Abortion Aftercare.

Call our Patient Aftercare Line

Call 999 or ask your support person to phone for an ambulance immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Loss of consciousness.
• Severe allergic reaction such as facial, mouth, throat swelling or breathing difficulties.
• Extreme heavy bleeding (flooding). Soaking through heavy-flow sanitary towels every 5 – 10 minutes and passing blood clots larger than the size of your hand.
• Worsening pain in one side of the lower tummy, under the ribs, or up to the shoulders. This might indicate an undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy.