Side effects & warning signs

You can expect to have moderate to heavy vaginal bleeding and cramps that decrease after the pregnancy is expelled.

Side effects

Patients may experience the following side effects:

• Moderate to heavy vaginal bleeding
• Cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Chills and low grade fever
• Dizziness
• Diarrhoea
• Headaches

Warning signs

It is likely patients will experience some side effects after taking the drug and should be advised to seek medical help immediately if they have any of the following rare symptoms or complications:

• Heavy bleeding
• No bleeding
• High fever
• Excess cramping or abdominal pain
• Excess vomiting or diarrhoea.

Pain management

Most women will experience some stomach cramps and abdominal pain during a medical abortion because uterine contractions are needed to expel or push out the pregnancy.

Most of the time this pain can be managed at home. Some options for dealing with pain include:

• Paracetamol 500mg tablets - 1 or 2 tablets every four to six hours when required
• Ibuprofen 200mg tablets - 1 or 2 tablets every six to eight hours with food when required.

Applying a heat pack or hot water bottle to below the stomach may help to ease the pain.

If patients experience severe or persistent pain, they should go to a medical clinic immediately.