If pregnancy wasn’t a part of your plan, you may be looking for a private and easy way to end it. You might be wondering if you can get abortion pills at your local pharmacy without seeing a doctor first.
In today’s article, we will talk about getting abortion pills over the counter. We will also cover the costs of these pills and what you should know before proceeding. Keep reading to learn more.
What Does “Over the Counter” Mean?
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are drugs you can buy without a prescription. You can find them at pharmacies, grocery stores, or other retail shops.[1] Common examples include pain relievers like ibuprofen, allergy medications, and cold remedies.
Prescription medications, like the abortion pill, require authorization from a licensed healthcare provider. This is because they may have more significant risks, require medical supervision, or need diagnosis before use.
Are Abortion Pills Available Over the Counter?
No, abortion pills are not available over the counter. Per the FDA, mifepristone and misoprostol (the two medications used in the medication abortion protocol) must be prescribed by a certified healthcare provider.[2] Only a certified pharmacy can dispense the medication after receiving a valid prescription.
This means you cannot buy abortion pills at the pharmacy the way you might buy pain relievers or vitamins. The prescription requirement ensures proper medical screening, appropriate gestational age confirmation, and access to follow-up care if complications arise.
Even though abortion is legal in California[3], you will still need a prescription from a certified healthcare provider in order to purchase it from a pharmacy.
Over the Counter Abortion Pill Cost: What to Expect
The abortion pill itself can cost between $150 and $1,100 without insurance.[4] Because these medications require medical supervision and cannot be purchased over the counter, there is no standard “over the counter abortion pill cost” comparable to OTC medications.
Additional costs may include:
- Provider visit fees: Initial consultation and examination costs
- Ultrasound costs: To confirm gestational age and pregnancy location
- Follow-up care: Post-procedure appointments if you experience complications
Can You Order the Abortion Pill Online?
You should never order abortion pills online from overseas pharmacies or unauthorized sources. These medications may be[5]:
- Counterfeit: Containing no active ingredients or harmful substances
- Incorrectly dosed: Too much or too little of the medication
- Contaminated: Produced in unregulated facilities without quality control
- Expired: No longer effective or potentially harmful
Without medical oversight, you could experience serious complications including incomplete abortion, severe bleeding, or infection.[6]
What You Need to Know Before Taking the Abortion Pill
These are a few things you’ll want to know before considering the abortion pill:
1. Estimated Gestational Age
The most accurate way to determine how far along you are in pregnancy (your gestational age) is with an ultrasound.[7] The abortion pill is only FDA-approved through ten weeks of pregnancy, so accurate dating is essential.[8]
2. Location of the Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy develops outside of the uterus (typically in the fallopian tube) and can be life-threatening if not properly treated.
Ectopic pregnancies cannot be treated with abortion pills.[9] Before taking abortion pills, it is recommended that a woman receive an ultrasound first to confirm the pregnancy is located in the uterus.
3. Viability of Pregnancy
Almost 10-20% of known pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and almost 80% of those occur within the first three months of pregnancy.[10] An ultrasound can help determine if the pregnancy is viable before proceeding with medication abortion.
Who Is Not Eligible for the Abortion Pill?
You will not be eligible for the abortion pill if[11]:
- You’re more than ten weeks pregnant (from the first day of your last menstrual period)
- You have an IUD (Intrauterine Device) currently in place
- You have a clotting disorder or certain other medical conditions. Speak with a healthcare professional before considering medication abortion
- You don’t have access to emergency care. In the case that you experience complications after a medication abortion, you should have access to emergency care within a reasonable distance
- You have an ectopic pregnancy or suspect you might have one
- You have certain rare inherited conditions affecting blood cells
- You take long-term corticosteroid therapy or have adrenal gland problems
- You’re allergic to any of the ingredients in mifepristone or misoprostol
Abortion Pill Information in Tehachapi, California
Making a decision about an unplanned pregnancy can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Family Life Pregnancy Center is here to help! We provide free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and abortion information, so you can make the best decision for your health and future.
Give us a call at (661) 823-8255 or schedule your appointment online. All services are free and confidential!
Please be aware that Family Life Pregnancy Center does not provide or refer for abortion services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you buy abortion pills over the counter at CVS or Walgreens?
No, you cannot buy abortion pills over the counter at CVS, Walgreens, or any other pharmacy. Abortion pills require a prescription from a certified healthcare provider. While some major pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens have become certified to dispense mifepristone, you still need a valid prescription to obtain the medication.
How much do over the counter abortion pills cost?
Abortion pills are not available over the counter, so there is no “over the counter abortion pill cost.”
The abortion pill itself can cost between $150 and $1,100 without insurance. Additional costs may include:
- Provider visit fees: Initial consultation and examination costs
- Ultrasound costs: To confirm gestational age and pregnancy location
- Follow-up care: Post-procedure appointments if you experience complications
Can I get abortion pills without seeing a doctor?
No, you cannot legally obtain abortion pills in the United States without involvement from a certified healthcare provider. Even with telemedicine options that allow virtual consultations, you still need a prescription from a qualified provider.
Do I need an ultrasound before taking abortion pills?
An ultrasound is highly recommended before taking abortion pills because it:
- Confirms the gestational age (to ensure you’re within the 10-week limit)
- Rules out ectopic pregnancy (which can be life-threatening and cannot be treated with abortion pills)
- Confirms the pregnancy is viable
This is one reason why medical oversight is required and why abortion pills aren’t available over the counter.
Sources
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- FDA. (2022, November 18). Small Business Assistance: Frequently Asked Questions on the Regulatory Process of Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/cder-small-business-industry-assistance-sbia/small-business-assistance-frequently-asked-questions-regulatory-process-over-counter-otc-drugs
- FDA. (2025, February 11). Questions and Answers on Mifepristone for Medical Termination of Pregnancy Through Ten Weeks Gestation. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation?sm_guid=NTU1NzgyfDYzMDE1OTM2fC0xfGppbUBha2ZhbWlseS5vcmd8NTY4OTI4MXx8MHwwfDE5OTYwMDk4OHwxMDg2fDB8MHx8NTQ3NzI2fDA1
- Executive Department, State of California. (2019, May 31). Proclamation on Reproductive Freedom. https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Proclamation-on-Reproductive-Freedom.pdf
- Advertised by abortion providers as of December 2025.
- See source #2.
- Redinger, A., & Nguyen, H. (2024, February 12). Incomplete Miscarriage. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559071/
- Ultrasound in Pregnancy: What to Expect, Purpose & Results. Cleveland Clinic. (2022, August 28). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/9704-ultrasound-in-pregnancy
- See source #2.
- See source #2.
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, September 8). Miscarriage. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/symptoms-causes/syc-20354298
- See source #2.