The Difference Between The Abortion Pill & Plan B
The abortion pill is also known as a medical abortion. The abortion pill is very different from Plan B in how it works. Plan B is a form of emergency contraception, also known as the morning after pill. The abortion pill is designed to end an existing pregnancy. Plan B is designed to prevent pregnancy.
How Do I Get Plan B vs. the Abortion Pill
Plan B and other emergency contraception pills can be purchased over-the-counter. This is because Plan B is not a controlled substance while the Abortion Pill is. The abortion pill must be prescribed by a licensed medical professional. Items that need to be prescribed by a medical professional are more controlled and managed because they would have major implications if taken incorrectly or by a person, it is not prescribed for.
How Plan B & the Abortion Pill Function Differently
These two pills are not only acquired differently and have different names, but the way they function is very different. Plan B could be described as preventative, while the abortion pill’s function is to perform an abortion post-fertilization. Below we go into detail about the two and how they differ.
How does Plan B Work?
Plan B is widely known as the morning after pill, but unlike the nickname suggests, it does not need to be taken the morning after unprotected sex. In fact, the sooner Plan B is taken the more effective it will be. Plan B One-Step is actually a brand name. There are a number of different brands that use the same active ingredient such as My Way, Take Action, and Next Choice One Dose.
The primary goal of Plan B is to prevent fertilization. For Plan B to be effective, it needs to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex (or failed contraception). If a fertilized egg has already implanted in the uterus, then Plan B is not effective.
How Does the Abortion Pill Work?
The abortion pill is a series of 2 drugs taken after a pregnancy has been confirmed with an ultrasound. This medication needs to be prescribed by a licensed medical professional. The first pill requires an in-person visit to a clinic or a telehealth visit. The second pill is taken at home.
The first pill stops the pregnancy from growing. The second pill is taken 48 hours later and causes the uterus to cramp and expel the fetus and pregnancy tissue.
Medication abortion can only be prescribed until about 10 weeks into the pregnancy. For pregnancies further along than 10 weeks, this is procedure is not available.
Side Effects of Plan B vs. Side Effects of the Abortion Pill
Now that we have broken down how the two functions are distinctly different, let’s take a look at their side effects. The Abortion Pill’s side effects are more unpleasant than Plan B’s side effects due to what is taking place within the uterus.
Side Effects of Plan B
The side effects associated with Plan B are mild. Below is a list of common side effects for Plan B:
- Heavier period next time
- Nausea – If you throw up within 2 hours of taking Plan B, you should take another dose.
- Lower stomach pain
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Breast Tenderness
- Late period the next time – Typically, Plan B doesn’t delay your next period by more than a week. A period this late is less common. If your period is over a week late, take a pregnancy test.
Side Effects & Risks of the Abortion Pill
The FDA and government agencies caution that medication abortion pills can cause some unpleasant side effects such as:
- Cramping
- Heavy Vaginal Bleeding
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Fever or Chills
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
If these side effects are severe or don’t go away, it may be a sign of a more serious complication. In a small percentage of cases, patients who take the abortion pill experience serious side effects. If you’re feeling sick more than 24 hours after taking the second pill, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider right away.
Rare but Serious Side Effects of the Abortion Pill
- Incomplete Abortion – Although medical abortions are very effective for ending pregnancy, in some cases, a surgical procedure is needed to complete the abortion process.
- Heavy bleeding that requires surgery
- Blood clots in the uterus
- Serious infection
Get a Lab-Quality Pregnancy Test From Jewel Women’s Center
If you are unsure whether you’re pregnant, the best first step is to take a lab-quality pregnancy test. Jewel Women’s Center offers these at no cost. Our lab-quality pregnancy tests detect the pregnancy hormone hCG in a woman’s urine with 99 percent accuracy.
After confirming with a lab-quality pregnancy test, an ultrasound lets you know precisely how far along the pregnancy is. An ultrasound also rules out pregnancy complications, such as ectopic pregnancy (located outside of the uterus).
There is more to learn about each drug and the potential risks/side effects, so schedule a pregnancy options consultation today!