Many people search for the abortion pill name, or for a different pill for each month of pregnancy. This guide explains the real names of the medicines, their generic and brand names, what changes as a pregnancy gets further along, which products are not abortion pills, and how to get safe care in Saudi Arabia.
What Is the Abortion Pill Called?
“The abortion pill” is a common phrase, but it is not one tablet. A medication abortion uses two different medicines, taken in a set order under medical supervision:
- Mifepristone, taken first
- Misoprostol, taken second, after an interval set by the clinician
The World Health Organization recommends this combination as the most effective way to end an early pregnancy with medicine. Misoprostol is sometimes used on its own where mifepristone is not available, but it is less effective.
The Two Medicines in a Medication Abortion
1st: Mifepristone
An antiprogestogen. It blocks progesterone, the hormone that supports a pregnancy, so the pregnancy stops developing. Read more about mifepristone.
2nd: Misoprostol
A prostaglandin. It softens the cervix and makes the uterus contract to empty it. Read more about misoprostol.
For how the two work together, see how does the abortion pill work.
Generic and Brand Names
Every medicine has a generic name (the active ingredient) and may be sold under one or more brand names. The generic name is what matters.
| First medicine | Second medicine | |
|---|---|---|
| Generic name | Mifepristone | Misoprostol |
| Other names | RU-486 (development code) | — |
| Example brands | Mifegyne, Mifeprex | Cytotec |
| Medicine type | Antiprogestogen | Prostaglandin analogue |
| Other medical uses | Miscarriage care, Cushing’s syndrome | Miscarriage care, stomach ulcers, after-birth bleeding |
Brand names differ from country to country. In some countries the two medicines are also packaged together. A pack sold by a private seller in Saudi Arabia, whatever name is printed on it, has not come through the legal supply chain and cannot be trusted.
Abortion Pill Name by Month of Pregnancy
Many people search for a “1 month”, “2 months” or “3 months” abortion pill name. There is no separate pill for each month. The same two medicines are used at every stage. What changes as the pregnancy grows is the regimen a doctor chooses, the risks, and where care must happen.
1 month of pregnancy
The medicines are the same. At this early stage a pregnancy may be too small to see clearly on an ultrasound, so a doctor needs to confirm that it is inside the uterus and not an ectopic pregnancy, which abortion medicines cannot treat.
2 months of pregnancy
The same two medicines. Up to about 12 weeks, the WHO considers medication abortion very safe and effective when a clinician confirms the length of pregnancy and provides follow-up.
3 months of pregnancy
Around 12 weeks, the WHO recommends that medication abortion be managed in a health facility with doctors and surgical backup available. Bleeding is heavier and the risk of an incomplete abortion is higher, so this is not something to manage alone.
4 and 5 months of pregnancy
There is no special “4 month” or “5 month” pill. Later in pregnancy, abortion is a hospital procedure supervised by specialists, with medicines given in stages and close monitoring. Taking pills alone at this stage carries a serious risk of heavy bleeding, retained tissue and injury to the uterus.
What Saudi law allows at each stage
- Before 120 days (about 4 months): abortion is permitted only when the pregnancy is a serious risk to the mother’s physical or mental health, and only after a medical committee of at least three specialist doctors approves it.
- After 120 days: abortion is not permitted unless continuing the pregnancy would endanger the mother’s life.
See our legal overview for more.
Pills That Are Not Abortion Pills
Sellers and social media posts often use misleading names. These are not abortion medicines:
- Emergency contraception (the “morning-after pill”, such as levonorgestrel) prevents a pregnancy from starting. It does not end an existing pregnancy.
- “Period-restoring” or “period-delay” tablets are hormone or herbal products that do not reliably end a pregnancy.
- Herbal mixtures, teas and injections sold as abortion remedies are unproven and can be poisonous.
- Painkillers or other tablets repacked as “abortion pills” are a common form of counterfeit.
Abortion Pill Pictures and Images
People often search for abortion pill pictures to check tablets they have been offered. A picture cannot tell you what a pill contains. Counterfeit tablets are often made to look identical to genuine ones, and sellers commonly copy product photos from the internet.
The images on our mifepristone and misoprostol guides are for education only. To learn the warning signs in sellers and packaging, read our guide to fake abortion pills.
Getting Safe Care in Saudi Arabia
Mifepristone and misoprostol are regulated by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and are not sold freely in pharmacies. If you are pregnant and worried about your health, speak to a licensed doctor at an MOH hospital or authorized clinic. A doctor can confirm how far along the pregnancy is, check for an ectopic pregnancy, and explain your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of the abortion pill?
The abortion pill is not one tablet but two medicines: mifepristone, taken first, and misoprostol, taken second. Mifepristone is also known as RU-486, and misoprostol is sold under brand names such as Cytotec.
Is there a different abortion pill for 1, 2 or 3 months of pregnancy?
No. The same two medicines, mifepristone and misoprostol, are used at every stage. What changes with the length of pregnancy is the regimen a doctor chooses and where care must take place. After about 12 weeks, care is given in a hospital.
Is there an abortion pill for 4 or 5 months of pregnancy?
There is no special pill for later pregnancy. At this stage, abortion is a hospital procedure supervised by specialists. In Saudi Arabia, abortion after 120 days (about 4 months) is not permitted unless continuing the pregnancy would endanger the mother’s life.
Is the morning-after pill an abortion pill?
No. Emergency contraception, such as levonorgestrel, prevents pregnancy from starting. It does not end an existing pregnancy and is a different medicine from mifepristone and misoprostol.
Can I identify an abortion pill from a picture?
No. Fake tablets are often made to look identical to genuine ones, so a photo cannot confirm what a pill contains. Only a medicine dispensed by a licensed doctor or pharmacist can be trusted.
References
- World Health Organization: Abortion Care Guideline
- WHO Global Abortion Policies Database: Saudi Arabia
- Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University: Women’s Health in Saudi Arabia
- MedlinePlus: Mifepristone
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. It does not give dosing instructions. If you have severe symptoms, seek emergency care immediately.