Abortion pills can be ordered through a telehealth visit, an in-person clinic, or an online pharmacy, depending on where you live and how far along you are. The FDA-approved regimen works through 10 weeks of pregnancy (70 days from the first day of your last period), and the median cost through a virtual clinic is $150.
Where to Order Abortion Pills
There are three main routes for getting abortion pills in the U.S., each with different costs, timelines, and levels of clinical support.
Telehealth providers: Organizations like Planned Parenthood and other certified virtual clinics offer video or phone consultations with a clinician who can prescribe and mail the pills directly to you. This is the most common route for people ordering from home. The median cost for a medication abortion through a virtual clinic was $150 in 2023. Appointments are typically short, and pills arrive by mail within a few days.
In-person clinics: Planned Parenthood health centers and independent abortion clinics provide medication abortion with an on-site visit. You may receive the pills the same day. The median out-of-pocket cost at a facility was $563 in 2023, higher than telehealth because it includes the overhead of an in-person visit.
Online pharmacies: Some online pharmacies listed on the resource site Plan C sell abortion pills by mail, with prices starting as low as $25 without a clinician consultation and up to $150 or more with one. These services vary in how much medical guidance they provide, so if you go this route, make sure you understand the full protocol and what to expect.
To find a provider near you or one that serves your state via telehealth, AbortionFinder.org maintains an updated directory. The National Abortion Federation also operates a hotline that can walk you through your options.
How the Two-Pill Regimen Works
Medication abortion uses two different drugs taken in sequence. The first blocks the hormone that sustains a pregnancy. The second, taken 24 to 48 hours later, causes the uterus to contract and empty.
On day one, you take a single 200 mg tablet of the first medication by mouth. Then, no sooner than 24 hours and no later than 48 hours afterward, you take four tablets of the second medication. These are placed in your cheeks, two on each side, and held there for 30 minutes to absorb through the lining of your mouth.
Most people experience heavy cramping and bleeding within a few hours of the second medication. This is the pregnancy passing, and it typically lasts several hours. Lighter bleeding can continue for one to two weeks afterward. The process is similar to an early miscarriage.
What It Costs and How to Get Help Paying
The price range is wide. At the low end, pills through an online pharmacy without a consultation can cost around $25. A virtual clinic visit with a prescription runs about $150. An in-person clinic visit averages $563 out of pocket. Costs climb with gestational age and can exceed $1,000 later in pregnancy.
If cost is a barrier, several options exist. Planned Parenthood health centers offer financial assistance based on income and household size, and staff can tell you which programs you qualify for when you contact them. Independent abortion funds across the country help cover both the cost of the pills and related expenses like travel or childcare. AbortionFinder.org and the National Abortion Federation’s hotline can connect you with these funds.
State Laws and Access Restrictions
Where you live matters. Some states ban or heavily restrict medication abortion, while others have passed laws specifically protecting access. Eight states have enacted shield laws that protect clinicians who prescribe and mail pills via telehealth regardless of where the patient is located. This means a provider in a shielded state may be able to serve you even if your own state restricts abortion.
Laws change frequently and enforcement varies. If you have concerns about the legal landscape in your state, the Repro Legal Helpline (844-868-2812) offers free, confidential conversations with a lawyer. They serve all 50 states, D.C., and U.S. territories, and provide emergency support if you’re ever contacted by law enforcement. You can call or fill out a secure form on their website.
What to Know Before You Order
Before ordering, you need a reasonably accurate sense of how far along you are. The FDA-approved regimen is for pregnancies up to 10 weeks, counted from the first day of your last menstrual period. If you’re unsure of your dates, many telehealth providers will help you estimate during your consultation. Some may recommend an ultrasound first.
You should also have a plan for the day you take the second medication. Most people need several hours at home with access to a bathroom, heating pad, and over-the-counter pain relief. Having someone nearby who knows what’s happening is helpful but not required. Providers typically give you a number to call if you experience complications like soaking through more than two thick pads per hour for two or more hours, a fever lasting more than 24 hours, or signs of an allergic reaction.
A follow-up appointment, either in person or by phone, is usually scheduled one to two weeks after to confirm the pregnancy has passed completely. Some providers use a home pregnancy test for this instead of requiring a visit.