Yes, abortion pills do expire.
The effectiveness of both mifepristone and misoprostol, the medications used in medication abortion, can decrease after their expiration dates. Here's a breakdown:
- Mifepristone: Typically has a shelf life of around 5 years from the manufacturing date.
- Misoprostol: Usually has a shelf life of about 2 years from the manufacturing date.
While these are the official expiration dates, some studies suggest that the pills may remain effective for a period after the expiration date; however, it's always best to use them before they expire to ensure maximum effectiveness and safety.
Important Considerations:
- Always check the expiration date on the medication packaging.
- Expired medications may be less effective or, in rare cases, harmful.
- Proper storage (cool, dry place) can help maintain the pills' effectiveness until the expiration date.
Using expired abortion pills is not recommended due to the potential for reduced efficacy and unknown safety implications. If you have expired pills, it is best to obtain a fresh supply from a trusted source.
