What's the Difference Between the Abortion Pill and Plan B?

Plan B and the abortion pill often get grouped in conversation, but they are not the same drug, and they do not do the same thing.

Plan B is an emergency contraceptive used to try to prevent a pregnancy from starting. The abortion pill ends a pregnancy that has already begun.

Knowing the difference matters for your health, and at The Well Clinic, we want you to have accurate information before you make any decision. Make an appointment for a free, confidential visit.

How Plan B works

Plan B, often called the “morning-after pill,” is a high dose of oral contraceptive.

According to the Cleveland Clinic (opens in a new tab), it works by preventing your ovary from releasing an egg or by stopping a sperm from fertilizing one. In some cases, it may also prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine lining.

Plan B is most effective when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex and can be used up to five days after. It will not end a pregnancy that has already implanted.

Before taking it, you should be aware of the common side effects (opens in a new tab), which can include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Breast tenderness
• Lower abdominal pain or cramping
• Spotting or an early or late period

If your period is more than a week late after taking Plan B, take a pregnancy test.

How the abortion pill works

The abortion pill, also called a medical abortion (opens in a new tab), is a two-drug regimen taken after a pregnancy has been confirmed.

The first drug, mifepristone, blocks progesterone so the pregnancy can no longer grow.

The second drug, misoprostol, causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy through vaginal bleeding.

Every woman responds differently after an abortion, and there are real health risks to understand before taking these drugs, including:

• Heavy or prolonged bleeding that may require medical attention
• An incomplete abortion, where pregnancy tissue is left behind in the uterus
• Infection
• Severe cramping and digestive issues
• Allergic reaction to the medication

The abortion pill is also unsafe if you have an ectopic pregnancy, which is when a pregnancy grows outside the uterus. An ultrasound is the only way to confirm the location of the pregnancy.

Get clear answers before you decide

At The Well Clinic, we offer free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds so you can confirm whether you are pregnant, how far along you are, and whether the pregnancy is in a safe location.

Our staff will listen, answer your questions, and walk you through your options in a judgment-free setting. You are braver than you know, and we are here to help.

The Well Clinic does not perform or refer for abortions. We provide accurate information about every option so you can make an informed decision.