Abortion Pills in Riyadh & Saudi Arabia: Complete Medical Guide

The Two Medicines: Mifepristone and Misoprostol

“Abortion pills” usually refers to two medicines, known by their generic names below. Brand names and packaging differ from country to country. They are sometimes used together and sometimes misoprostol is used alone; a healthcare professional decides which approach is appropriate.

Mifepristone

Blocks progesterone, the hormone a pregnancy needs to continue.

Read the mifepristone guide

Misoprostol

Softens the cervix and makes the uterus contract and empty.

Read: misoprostol in Saudi Arabia

Pictures alone cannot confirm a pill is genuine. For brand names and what changes at each stage of pregnancy, see our guide to abortion pill names.

Unsafe Sources to Avoid

Counterfeit abortion pills are widely sold online, especially where access is restricted. Fake pills may contain the wrong medicine, the wrong strength, or nothing at all, which can lead to a failed abortion, delayed care or serious harm.

Warning signs of an unsafe source

Sellers who contact you only through WhatsApp or social media
No prescription or medical assessment required
Missing packaging, no batch number or no expiry date
Loose or repackaged tablets
Any price list, delivery offer or request for payment before a medical check

In Saudi Arabia, medicines are regulated by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). Only use medicines supplied through regulated healthcare channels.

Full guide: how to spot fake abortion pills

How Do Abortion Pills Work?

Mifepristone stops the hormonal support the pregnancy needs. Misoprostol then causes cramping and bleeding, which empties the uterus. The experience is similar to an early miscarriage. Combined treatment is generally more effective than misoprostol alone.

Full explanation: How does the abortion pill work?

Side Effects: What Is Normal?

Common and expected

Cramping, which can be strong
Bleeding heavier than a period, sometimes with clots
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
Chills or a temporary low fever
Tiredness, headache or dizziness

Less common complications

Incomplete abortion
A pregnancy that continues
Heavy or prolonged bleeding
Infection

Most complications can be treated successfully when they are recognized early.

Full guide: abortion pills side effects and safety

Warning Signs: When to Get Urgent Medical Care

Go to a hospital immediately if you have:

Bleeding that soaks two or more large pads an hour for two hours in a row
Severe or worsening abdominal pain
Fainting or severe dizziness
A fever of 38°C or higher that lasts more than 4 hours, or any fever that starts more than a day after the treatment
Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Feeling very unwell (weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea or tummy pain) more than a day after the treatment, even without a fever
Severe pain on one side or shoulder-tip pain (possible ectopic pregnancy)

Ambulance: 997MOH helpline: 937

Abortion pills do not treat an ectopic pregnancy, which can be life-threatening.

How Long Do Abortion Pills Take to Work (and Dissolve)?

Cramping and bleeding usually begin within a few hours of misoprostol, and the heaviest part often passes within a day. Lighter bleeding or spotting can continue for days to a few weeks. Bleeding alone does not prove the abortion is complete; follow-up with a healthcare professional confirms it.

People often ask how long the tablets take to dissolve. How the medicine is given is decided and explained by your clinician, and this page does not give instructions for use. A tablet dissolving does not show that the treatment has worked; only follow-up with a healthcare professional can confirm that.

Recovery: Rest, Diet and Aftercare

Rest: many people return to normal activities within a day or two. Avoid heavy exercise until you feel well.
Diet: no special diet is required. Eat light, regular meals, drink plenty of fluids, and include iron-rich foods such as lentils, spinach and red meat if bleeding is heavy. Avoid alcohol while recovering.
Pain relief: ask a healthcare professional which pain relievers are suitable for you.
Periods and fertility: your period usually returns in 4–8 weeks, but you can ovulate and become pregnant before it does.
Follow-up: a home pregnancy test can stay positive for several weeks, so follow the testing plan your clinician gives you.

Food and Drink During Recovery

No food is forbidden, but light meals, plenty of fluids and iron-rich foods help, and alcohol is best avoided. See the full list of what not to eat after abortion pills.

Read: What to expect after taking the abortion pill

Medication vs. Surgical Abortion

	Medication abortion	Surgical abortion
How it works	Medicines empty the uterus	A clinician removes tissue through the cervix
Typical timing	Early pregnancy	Early or later pregnancy
Where	Under medical care; in Saudi Arabia only in authorised hospitals	Under medical care; in Saudi Arabia only in authorised hospitals
Experience	Cramping and bleeding over hours to days	Short procedure with anaesthesia or sedation

Read: How an abortion is done

Saudi Arabia: Legal Overview

Abortion is restricted in Saudi Arabia. It is generally permitted only for medical reasons, such as a serious risk to the mother’s life or health, and requires approval through authorized medical channels. Selling or using abortion medicines outside regulated healthcare is not permitted.

For the 120-day limit, who must approve care and what is not permitted, read our full guide to abortion in Saudi Arabia. For current guidance, consult a licensed doctor at an authorized facility or visit the Saudi Ministry of Health.

Can You Buy Abortion Pills From a Pharmacy in Saudi Arabia?

Short answer: No. In Saudi Arabia, pharmacies cannot sell abortion pills (mifepristone or misoprostol for abortion) over the counter. Under Article 23 of the Law of Practicing Healthcare Professions, a pharmacist may only dispense prescription medicines with a prescription from a doctor licensed in Saudi Arabia, and the law’s Executive Regulations (item 22/3) prohibit dispensing abortion-causing medicines. Legal abortion is only done in authorized hospitals, after medical committee approval.

All licensed pharmacies, including the large pharmacy chains, must follow the same prescription rules.
Online, WhatsApp or social-media sellers offering pills without a prescription are acting outside the law, and their pills are often fake.
If you are pregnant and need advice, see a licensed doctor or call the MOH helpline on 937. In an emergency, call 997.

Official sources: Law of Practicing Healthcare Professions, Articles 22–23 (Saudi Ministry of Investment) · Executive Regulations, item 22/3 (Saudi Ministry of Health, Arabic) · Medication dispensing rules (Saudi Ministry of Health, 2025)

Read the full prescription rules

Getting Care in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam

Abortion pills are not available over the counter in Saudi Arabia, so the safe route in every city is the same: a licensed doctor at a Ministry of Health hospital or an authorized private hospital. A doctor can confirm how far along the pregnancy is, rule out an ectopic pregnancy, explain your options under Saudi law and arrange follow-up.

Riyadh

There is no abortion clinic in Riyadh. Start at a Ministry of Health hospital or licensed private hospital in the city. Call 937 if you are not sure where to go. You can also book a doctor visit through the Ministry of Health Sehhaty app.

Jeddah

The same rules apply. Ask a hospital doctor or call 937 for the right department.

Dammam

Use Ministry of Health or licensed private hospitals in the Eastern Province, or call 937 for advice.

Avoid online sellers in any city

Accounts offering abortion pills with delivery in Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam operate outside the law, and many sell fake pills or take payment and disappear. Any price they quote is a warning sign, as our guide to abortion pill cost explains.

Emergency: 997MOH helpline: 937

Frequently Asked Questions

Are abortion pills safe?

When genuine medicines are used with medical guidance in early pregnancy, serious complications are uncommon. The biggest risks come from fake pills and from not having medical follow-up.

What are the names of abortion pills?

The generic names are mifepristone and misoprostol. Brand names vary by country.

Do abortion pills affect future fertility?

An uncomplicated medication abortion does not generally affect future fertility.

How do I know the abortion is complete?

Through the follow-up your clinician recommends, which may include a specific pregnancy test, a blood test or an ultrasound.

How long do abortion pills take to work?

Cramping and bleeding usually begin within a few hours of misoprostol, and the heaviest part often passes within a day. Follow-up confirms the abortion is complete.

Can I get an abortion in Saudi Arabia?

Only if a medical committee at an authorised hospital approves it on medical grounds. The first step is to see an obstetrician-gynaecologist at a Ministry of Health or licensed private hospital, or call 937 for guidance. See our guide to abortion law in Saudi Arabia.

Can we take abortion pills without consultation?

No. A doctor must first confirm how many weeks pregnant you are and rule out an ectopic pregnancy. Without medical care, heavy bleeding, an incomplete abortion or an emergency can be missed.

Are birth control pills allowed in Saudi Arabia?

Yes. Birth control pills are legal in Saudi Arabia. A doctor can advise which type suits you, and a prescription may be needed. See our birth control pills guide.

Do abortion pills change your body?

The changes are temporary: bleeding, cramps and hormone changes for a few weeks. Your period usually returns in 4 to 8 weeks, and an uncomplicated medical abortion does not generally affect future fertility.

How painful is the abortion pill at 4 weeks?

Most women feel cramps like a strong period. Pain is usually milder in very early pregnancy. A doctor can advise on safe pain relief. Read our full guide: how painful the abortion pill is, week by week.

Which abortion is better, pill or vacuum?

Neither is better for everyone. Pills avoid a procedure but take longer and the bleeding happens over hours. Vacuum aspiration is a short procedure done in a hospital or clinic. A doctor helps choose based on the weeks of pregnancy and your health. Read more on how an abortion is done.

Can abortion pills fail?

Yes, but it is uncommon. Sometimes the abortion is incomplete or the pregnancy continues, so a follow-up test or scan is important, especially if there is little or no bleeding or pregnancy symptoms continue. See incomplete abortion.

Can a pharmacist give abortion pills without a prescription in Saudi Arabia?

No. Under Article 23 of the Saudi Law of Practicing Healthcare Professions, a pharmacist may not dispense prescription medicines without a prescription from a doctor licensed in Saudi Arabia, and the Executive Regulations (item 22/3) prohibit dispensing abortion-causing medicines.

Are abortion pills sold at Saudi pharmacies?

No. Abortion pills are not sold over the counter in Saudi pharmacies. Legal abortion is only provided in authorized hospitals after medical committee approval. Pills offered online or through WhatsApp are illegal and often fake.

Is there an abortion clinic near me in Riyadh?

No. There are no stand-alone abortion clinics in Riyadh or anywhere in Saudi Arabia, and abortion on request is not available. A legal abortion is only done in an authorised hospital, in limited medical situations, after approval by a medical committee. If you are pregnant and worried or bleeding, see an obstetrician-gynaecologist at a licensed hospital, or call 997 in an emergency. Read more about abortion law in Saudi Arabia and where to get safe care.

Is abortion legal in Saudi Arabia?

Abortion is restricted in Saudi Arabia. It is permitted only in limited circumstances, mainly to protect the woman’s life or health and within set time limits, and it must be done in an authorised hospital with medical-committee approval and the required consent. Outside these situations it is illegal, and buying pills online is both illegal and unsafe. See our guide to abortion law in Saudi Arabia.

Are abortion pills sold online or on WhatsApp in Saudi Arabia real?

Many are not. Mifepristone and misoprostol are prescription-only and controlled by the SFDA, so anything sold online, on WhatsApp or on social media is outside that system. These pills are often fake, expired or a different medicine altogether. See how to spot fake abortion pills, and report suspect medicines to the SFDA on 19999.

What should I do if I took abortion pills and I’m bleeding heavily in Riyadh?

Call 997 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department if you are soaking two or more large pads an hour for two hours, if you faint, or if the pain is severe. Do not wait at home to see whether it settles. A fever of 38°C or higher that lasts over 24 hours, foul-smelling discharge, or pain on one side or at the tip of the shoulder also need urgent medical care.

What happens if abortion pills are taken during an ectopic pregnancy?

The pills do not work. Misoprostol does not treat an ectopic pregnancy, so the pregnancy stays where it is and can rupture, which is life-threatening. Only a scan can rule an ectopic pregnancy out. One-sided pain or shoulder-tip pain are warning signs: call 997 straight away. More detail is on our ectopic pregnancy page (Arabic).

Is Cytotec the same as misoprostol?

Yes. Cytotec is a brand name and misoprostol is the active ingredient, so they are the same medicine under two names. In the Kingdom it is prescription-only and controlled by the SFDA, and it is not sold over the counter. Read what Cytotec is and our guide to misoprostol in Saudi Arabia.

About Our Medical Reviewer

Dr. Bhimi Daimari

MBBS, MS (Obstetrics and Gynaecology)Assam Medical Council Reg. No. 23218

Medically reviewed · Last updated: 11 November 2026

Dr. Bhimi Daimari (MBBS, MS, Obstetrics and Gynaecology) is a medical doctor registered with the Assam Medical Council (Registration Number 23218). She completed her postgraduate studies in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College, Barpeta, Assam, and her name appears in the January 2025 MS examination result with a PASS status. She serves as the lead medical reviewer for Abortion Riyadh, providing clinical oversight to ensure all educational content on medication abortion, reproductive health, and aftercare adheres to medical accuracy, safety, and evidence-informed standards.

View full profile

References

Medical disclaimer: This page is for general education only and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Read how we review content in our medical review policy and editorial policy. If you have severe symptoms, seek emergency care immediately.