Misoprostol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken 4 times a day, after meals and at bedtime with food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take misoprostol exactly as directed How do I take abortion pills? At Planned Parenthood, before you take the abortion pills, you’ll meet with a nurse or doctor, either in person at the health center, or by video or phone, to go over how to take the pills. Your doctor or nurse will give you detailed directions about when and how to take the pills. Your doctor or nurse will give you 2 different medicines to end your pregnancy: mifepristone and misoprostol. Once you get your medicine, you can have your abortion at home or in another comfortable place that you choose. First, you’ll take a pill called mifepristone. Pregnancy needs a hormone called progesterone to grow normally. Mifepristone blocks your body’s own progesterone, which stops the pregnancy from growing. Then you’ll take the second medicine, misoprostol, either right away or up to 48 hours later. 30 minutes before you take misoprostol: Take pain medicine to help with cramps. Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) works the best, but you can take a different pain medicine like acetaminophen (Tylenol) if you need to. But don’t take aspirin because it can make you bleed more.