Should I use antibiotics before or after an abortion with pills?

Should I use antibiotics before or after an abortion with pills?

Taking an antibiotic as a prophylactic (ie: to prevent infection) before an abortion with pills is not recommended. The risk of infection with medical abortion is very low (less than 1%).

If you develop an infection after an abortion (for example, you get a fever or a smelly vaginal discharge), you should go to hospital. Do not try to treat yourself with antibiotics you have at home. This is because antibiotics on their own are unlikely to be enough - you will also need to have an ultrasound and any remaining pieces of pregnancy will need to be removed.

    • Related Articles

    • What are the possible complications of medical abortion (abortion with pills)?

      If performed in the first 12 weeks, a medical abortion carries only a small risk of complications. This risk is the same as when a woman has a natural miscarriage and can be easily treated by a doctor. Out of every 100 women who do a medical ...

    • When should I not use abortion pills?

      Abortion pills are safe and effective medicines, and most women who use abortion pills will not have problems. However, you should not use abortion pills if: Someone is forcing you to end your pregnancy You are not sure about wanting to end your ...

    • How do I use abortion pills?

      There are two abortion pills - Mifepristone (RU-486, Mifegynae, or Mifeprex) and Misoprostol (Cytotec, Cytotecal). They are usually supplied in a single combi-pack such as Termipil Kit or Killpreg Kit. Mifepristone is taken first, followed by ...

    • Can I use abortion pills on my own?

      Serious complications after using abortion pills in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy are uncommon, but can still happen. It is recommended to have someone you trust with you when using abortion pills, particularly after using Misoprostol (the second ...

    • What happens if I use abortion pills after 12 weeks?

      The abortion pills will still terminate the pregnancy in most cases, but the risk of complications is higher after 12 weeks of pregnancy. It is therefore not recommended to use abortion pills at home beyond 12 weeks of pregnancy. Studies that have ...