What’s the Difference Between the Abortion Pill and Plan B?
Macey Barton • March 21, 2025
What’s the Difference Between the Abortion Pill and Plan B?
If you’re wondering about the difference between the abortion pill and Plan B, you’re not alone. Many people confuse the two, but they serve very different purposes. Understanding how each works can help you make informed decisions about your reproductive health.
Read on to learn more about the differences between the abortion pill and Plan B—or contact Agape Women’s Clinic today to find a safe space to talk and ask questions.
The Abortion Pill vs. Plan B: What’s the Difference?
The abortion pill is designed to terminate an existing pregnancy, while Plan B is an emergency contraceptive that helps prevent pregnancy from occurring.
However, Plan B will not terminate a pregnancy if implantation has already occurred.
How the Abortion Pill Works
The abortion pill, also called a medical abortion, is actually a two-step process that involves taking two drugs: mifepristone and misoprostol.
Mifepristone blocks progesterone, a hormone needed to sustain pregnancy. This causes the pregnancy to stop growing, detach from the uterine lining, and eventually end.
Misoprostol is taken next to induce cramping and bleeding, which expels the pregnancy from the uterus.
The abortion pill is FDA-approved only through 10 weeks of pregnancy, and it comes with potential risks, including:
- Heavy bleeding
- Severe cramping and pain
- Nausea, vomiting, and fever
- Incomplete abortion, which can lead to a potentially life-threatening infection
How Plan B Works
Plan B, commonly known as the “morning-after pill,” is an emergency contraceptive that works before pregnancy begins. It contains a high dose of levonorgestrel, a hormone that prevents ovulation or fertilization.
Plan B is not an abortion pill and will not affect an already implanted pregnancy. It is most effective when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, but its effectiveness decreases the longer you wait.
Potential side effects of Plan B include:
- Nausea and dizziness
- Fatigue
- Irregular bleeding
- Headache and abdominal pain
You Deserve a Safe Space to Ask Questions
Whether you’re considering the abortion pill or have questions about emergency contraception, it’s important to be fully informed.
At Agape Women’s Clinic, we provide a safe, confidential space to learn more about your options without fear of judgment. We offer free consultations and pre-abortion screenings to help you make the best decision for your health.
If you have questions, schedule a confidential appointment
today—we’re here for you.
Agape Women’s Clinic does not provide or refer for abortions.
*All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.
While Texas currently bans abortion, you could be eligible for the abortion pill in a state where it is legal if you meet the following conditions. Learn more and contact us today.
Learn how the abortion pill works, its side effects and risks, and access free services and support in North Austin at Agape Women's Clinic in Round Rock, Texas.
Are you pregnant but unsure about when you conceived? An ultrasound is the most accurate way to estimate conception. Schedule a free appointment at Agape Women's Clinic in Round Rock, Texas.
Think you're pregnant? Learn more about the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy and when to schedule a free pregnancy test at our Women's Clinic in Round Rock, Texas.