Can I get abortion pills before I need them?

Yes, you can order abortion pills in advance! This is also called advanced provision, which means ordering abortion pills by mail ahead of time so you have them when and if you need them.

Imagine this: your period is late, so you take a test. It comes back positive, and you already know you don’t want to be pregnant. Instead of waiting a week for pills to arrive, you go to your medicine cabinet and grab the combination pack of mifepristone and misoprostol that you ordered a few months ago. You decide to take the pills the next day, when you’re off work.

So, why do people get abortion pills in advance?

Advanced provision is mostly about timing, privacy, and peace of mind — especially when laws and court decisions are constantly changing.

Knowing that mifepristone and misoprostol are safe and effective, and that you already have them on hand if you need them, can ease a lot of stress.

Having pills ahead of time means:

• You don’t have to wait for shipping
• You can take them as soon as you’re ready
• You have more privacy and control
• You don’t have to figure out your options while feeling overwhelmed
• You don’t have to make decisions based on rapidly changing access

How long do abortion pills last?

Abortion pills (mifepristone and misoprostol) do expire, but they usually last a while.

• Shelf life: Typically around 2 years
• Storage: Keep them in a cool, dry place away from light
• Packaging: Check the expiration date on the box

How much do abortion pills cost?

Abortion pills by mail typically cost $90-$150, but many providers offer pay what you can or discount pricing.

There are providers that mail pills to all 50 states and U.S. territories, though not all offer advanced provision. Learn more about shield providers.

Do I need to confirm I’m pregnant before taking the pills?

No, not always. Some people use abortion pills as “period pills.” This means taking the same medications (mifepristone + misoprostol or miso-only) without confirming a pregnancy first.

The main difference is uncertainty — you may or may not be pregnant. The medications work the same way either way.

Is it legal to get abortion pills ahead of time?

Laws around abortion pills vary by state and can be really confusing.

In general, laws are often written to target providers or people helping someone get an abortion, not the pregnant person themselves. But there can still be legal risks in some situations.

For example in Texas, it is a felony for someone to give another person abortion pills to end a pregnancy and in Louisiana, abortion pills are classified as controlled substances, and it can be a crime for someone who is not pregnant to possess them.

Because laws change and are enforced differently, what’s written in law isn’t always how things play out in real life.

If you’re thinking about helping someone else, it’s worth understanding how legal risk can vary depending on the situation — Are there legal risks to helping someone have an abortion?

Find all of your options — whether you’re planning ahead or already pregnant — at ineedana.com 💜

If you want to learn more about ordering pills in advance, you can visit Plan C Pills: plancpills.org/in-advance