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Misoprostol and Pain: What Users Say

Brand names: Cytotec

Pain: mentioned by 163 users (22.5%)

Based on user experiences from 723 Misoprostol reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

cramps 70.8%
bleeding 35.0%
nausea 28.2%
pain 22.5%
diarrhea 20.6%
vomiting 12.7%
chills 7.5%
blood clots 5.9%
sweating 3.9%
severe pain 3.7%

Reviews for Misoprostol

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Sis...
  • February 5, 2021

For Abortion "Took the pills at 1 am, put them under my tongue. Experienced mild diarrhea. Went to sleep and woke up at 4 am to push the clots and pregnancy out. It was so painless, I was shocked because I was so scared from the reviews. Heavy bleeding, but that’s just it. Take pain relievers before taking the pills, and you’ll be fine. Trust me ❤️"

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  • Hey...
  • June 25, 2021

For Abortion "! As always, you will come across some bad ones that put fear in you. So I’m going to tell you my experience. I took the first pill yesterday at the clinic at 2:10. I then took four today in my cheeks and let them dissolve. Before I took them, I took an anti-nausea tablet and ibuprofen 800. About an hour or so into it, the cramps got pretty bad, out of 10 I’d say 8. About three hours later, I started bleeding, and I kept telling myself 'It’s almost over.' Cramps intensified, and I ended up throwing up (only once). About an hour and a half after I started bleeding, I went to the bathroom and pushed, and that’s when the blob came out. I advise you not to look like I did. After that, I have clotting and tissue coming out, but the pain is manageable. I didn’t think I could do this, and I’m here to tell you that you can. I know it’s hard going through pain, but I promise you it gets better!"

9 / 10
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  • pro...
  • January 19, 2021

For Abortion "I honestly spent about 4-5 hours reading horror stories upon horror stories about the MA pill, there were some lovely reassuring ones too, but not as many as I would have liked, so I’m here to tell you my experience because I wish I saw this comment. I took the 1st pill on the Monday at 2 pm, no problem, slight cramping but literally nothing. I then took the second medication orally at 6 pm the next day. Period type cramps started about 1 hour later, & gradually got worse until bleeding started. It’s just bad period cramps, they are strong but you get used to the pain if that makes sense & it’s bearable. I took codeine too which helped. Within 2 hours I had passed the majority & then the pain subsided. I’m glad I was in my own home & was able to deal with the cramps how I wanted. Please do not be scared by these horror stories, they are 1 in 100. You know your body & your pain tolerance so choose what is best for you. X"

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Frequently asked questions

  • Dev...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 23, 2021

For Abortion "I was 6 weeks pregnant. I read a lot, I researched a lot and on top of that my friend shared her horrifying experience of the same and so I was so scared. I took 1st pill and next after 36 hrs. I felt pain after 1 hour but really big clots started flushing out. 3-4 hrs heavy bleeding and mild cramps and felt comfortable after that. As per my experience, be mentally prepared for all conditions, have someone by your side and a hot water bag. You'll be fine. Always remember God is with you."

9 / 10
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  • May...
  • February 4, 2021

For Abortion "I was 8 weeks pregnant. In the medical center, they gave me the first pill and told me that I could expect nausea and bleeding, however, I didn't have any symptoms. I came back 48 hours later, and they inserted 2 pills into my vagina and 1 in my anus for pain relief, instructing me to lie in bed for 2 hours. After 4 hours with no changes, they gave me 1 more pill to dissolve under my tongue. Around an hour later, I went to the bathroom and something gushed out of me with a little blood. I went for an ultrasound, and they confirmed the abortion was successful. I experienced bleeding for about a week afterward, similar to a normal period. I didn't have any pain or cramping, which was surprising to me, as my periods are usually more painful. It seems that everyone's experience can vary. Wishing you good luck."

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  • 142...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 8, 2020

For Abortion "I’m 20 years old with a very strong stomach. I took the first pill at the clinic around 11:30. I was tired and slightly nauseous but I was prescribed promethazine, which helped with the nausea. By 9 am the next morning, I was bleeding a small amount. I decided to eat a meal, take 800 mg of ibuprofen that I was prescribed, and another promethazine for nausea. 45 minutes after taking the pain medicine and nausea medicine, I placed 2 cytotec in each cheek, which dissolved in 15 minutes. I felt the most intense cramping and pain and was honestly screaming in agony. The pain was so severe I threw up everything in my stomach and had diarrhea. This all lasted about 30 minutes and then I began to do breathing exercises that helped calm the pain and made me fall asleep. After that, I had very moderate cramping that was very manageable. Drink lots of water, sleep a lot, and stay calm. You can do it."

7 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • August 29, 2020

For Abortion "I was 7 weeks 6 days and this was my first abortion. Took the first pill at the clinic and the next day took nausea and pain meds before putting the 4 pills in my cheeks to absorb. After taking all the pills, I threw everything up right away. I started having mild cramps about an hour later. Went to the bathroom when they got more severe and threw up again, the cramps were extreme for about 30 minutes, and I threw up 2 more times until bile was coming out. It was very painful for me, but it didn’t last too long. I passed 3 large blood clots before the baby sac came out, and then the cramps immediately subsided. I had heavy bleeding for the rest of the day, and by the next day, I felt back to normal. It’s been 2 weeks, and I’m still bleeding, but it’s a very light amount now. If you can keep down the pain meds, then I’m sure it won’t be nearly as painful. I felt so relieved after, but still a little sad and depressed about the reality of the situation. Good luck, you will be okay :)"

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  • Eng...
  • August 4, 2019

For Abortion "I took the first tablet Mifepristone and then inserted the 4 Misoprostol tablets the next day. I expected to fall asleep and wake up ‘in a pool of blood’. I slept for an hour and woke up with some cramping. It hurt, but wasn’t unbearable. It progressively worsened. I went for a wee and had a little bit of bleeding, but not much. I fell asleep again and woke up at 2:30. I was sure I was going to be laying in this ‘pool of blood’ but, nothing. 5 hours passed and still no bleeding. I went for a wee and clots came out. My cramps did hurt, but they only became intense the last 45 mins. It helps having someone supportive there with you, taking pain and having a hot water bottle. Everyone is different and will experience this differently. As women, we are born to be prepared for Mother Nature and what it throws at us. A little bit of cramping? Bring it on! If you’re nervous, then let me tell you this: you are strong and you’ve got this. This pain is only temporary. ❤️"

10 / 10
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  • Ano...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 2, 2020

For Abortion "Taking the first pill was fine. Twenty-four hours later, I took the second pill (vaginally). After reading all these reviews, I felt so anxious, I was prepared to be in a lot of pain. It was just like having bad period pains for me, I know everyone's different. I'd say it took about one and a half hours before I passed the biggest clot, which came out really fast, and smaller ones after that. Now, it just feels like a normal period. Now to wait three weeks to take the test, hopefully, everything has worked. Ladies, please don't worry, you will get through it."

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  • Jad...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 24, 2020

For Abortion "Took first tablet at 11 pm at night, felt absolutely fine, no sickness, nothing. Twenty-four hours later, so around 11 pm, inserted the 4 tablets inside, vaginally. Bleeding started 3 hours after, had no pain whatever, didn’t even take pain relievers as I never take them anyway, but had no pain at all. Bled just as you would on a normal period. Bled for 2 days only, so it happens very quickly for me. Felt normal throughout the whole process. Tested a week later and nothing came up, so it had worked. Would never do this again as it's not a very nice thing to do, but my experience was very easy. But this is personally my own experience, everyone, of course, is different ladies."

10 / 10
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  • Lay...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 28, 2018

For Abortion "I would like to share my experience with the abortion pill just because I read so many negative reviews prior to taking it. What I learned is never believe the reviews you see online, everyone reacts differently. My experience was very positive, I experienced very minimal pain and discomfort. I think people who have positive experiences don't bother doing reviews. I recommend getting a prescription for Percocets, I found that really helped. I took three prior to the pill, and when it came, it just felt like a normal period, nothing out of the ordinary or extreme like most people said. Also, I found a heating pad really helped, as well as Gatorade to keep hydrated. Moral of the story: don’t believe everything you see online because I was terrified, and everything went very smoothly."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • September 26, 2021

For Abortion "Firstly, it is okay to feel worried and scared in such a huge matter. I got my pills by post and would recommend to anyone going through this who would prefer to be in the comfort of their home instead of in and out of clinics, which may make some feel more anxious. The first tablet was absolutely fine, you may feel a little sick. After a day, make sure you take some pain relievers beforehand for the first lot of misoprostol. It can be painful, and I would recommend doing these vaginally instead of orally. Everyone’s experiences will be different depending on how you may deal with pain. After 3-4 hours, you will need to take a second dose of misoprostol. Please don’t be afraid, this lot is not at all painful, it just makes sure everything is flushed out, preventing infection! Finally, please just know you are not alone, you can do this!!"

8 / 10
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  • Met...
  • October 18, 2020

For Abortion "The next day I was told to insert the 4 misoprostol pills in my vagina any time after 2:30 pm. I was very nervous for the oncoming pain I had read about, so I took 1 oxy 10/325 at 2 pm just to be safe, as I have a very low pain tolerance, so I couldn't bear having the pain. I also took 1 ibuprofen 800 at 1:30 pm, as well as the nausea pill promethazine. After I inserted the pills, I laid down for 30 minutes and didn’t feel anything until 5 pm. I started feeling some cramping. I fell asleep because of all those drugs, I’m assuming, they made me really sleepy. I woke up at 7 pm exactly with excruciating pain. I took another oxy and a nausea pill. Fell asleep about 15 minutes later with that pain still going. I woke up around 8:30, and I had no pain whatsoever. I got up to use the restroom, and boom, everything came out. I did pass the sac then, I could see it. After that, there was no pain at all. It’s the next day now, and I feel completely fine. Still some blood coming out, but none like the day before."

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  • Non...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 11, 2019

For Abortion "The horror stories I read online and the worst-case scenarios I was told by the nurse at the clinic. I was terrified of doing this on my own and instantly dreaded this route. But now I am glad I did use it. This is my misoprostol review. It was not the bloodbath or pain that I was told. I took my 4 pills vaginally 48 hours after the first pill. Nothing happened for 4 hours, then I felt a tightening and a lot of cramping and pressure. I did take a T3 and some Advil half an hour before I took the 4 pills. The pain was not bad, and I used a heating pad and laid on my couch. I waited around and nothing, no blood or any cramping, and I began to think it failed. I decided to get up and walk around, so I went shopping, and about 2 hours later, I felt a gush. I went to the washroom, and a small amount of blood and blood clots came out, and then about 15 minutes later, same thing. Went home and had a few more before I released a large clot, and then the bleeding stopped. Just some spotting and small cramps here and there."

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  • Ann...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 14, 2019

For Abortion "I told myself that I would be putting a review as I have been reading so many bad ones, and I was actually scared of taking the abortion pill. But I went to the clinic yesterday, it was quick and easy. Just filled some forms out, went through questions, and she did a scan that showed I was less than 5 weeks. She then gave me the 1st pill and anti-sickness tablet. No side effects whatsoever. Then this morning at 10:30, I took the 4 tablets side of my mouth and let them dissolve. Within 20 minutes of them dissolving, I started bleeding straight away, and the pain began. It's just like period pain but a bit worse and back pain, but I took pain relievers and 800 mg ibuprofen. I started passing large blood clots within the hour, and I wasn't in as much pain as I thought I was going to be in. I was honestly scared of taking this medication, and I just kept researching all night and day. The pain is very bearable."

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  • Sam...
  • March 13, 2016

For Abortion "I was 12 weeks when I went for my first ultrasound, and they told me the baby had stopped developing at 8 weeks. They did a follow-up appointment to see if anything had changed, and it didn't. They told me it was a missed miscarriage, and to speed up the process, I was prescribed two pills inserted vaginally of Cytotec. I took it at 5:30 pm, by 11:30, I had started bleeding and had contractions. At 2 am, I was bleeding too much and went to the hospital, where I passed the baby and was released at 8 am the same morning. It was probably the worst pain I have ever experienced, but I found it a better option than the D&C. It worked for me, but I'd advise anyone taking it to take ibuprofen or Advil beforehand to help with the pain."

10 / 10
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  • Loz...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 30, 2021

For Abortion "Thought I would share my experience as I also freaked right out about this whole process, and it was not as bad as what I thought it would be. I was about 8 weeks, took 1st mifepristone Saturday evening, no side effects. Sunday night took 2 ibuprofen, 2 codeine 30 mins before putting 4 misoprostol vaginally. After 1 hour, dull ache in my belly but not painful, 11 pm started to bleed, 12 am took 2 more ibuprofen, 2 codeine, and dissolved the last 2 misoprostol in mouth, hot water bottle, and tried to sleep. 4 am toilet dash with gush, clots and pregnancy passing, back to bed, woke and just bleeding like a normal period. Don't stress about it all. I know we are all different, take pain relief before and keep on top of it. Rest, watch TV, and it will soon be over. Love to all going through this, you can do it! X"

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  • Sha...
  • December 15, 2020

For Abortion "I can honestly say I have never experienced pain like it in my life. I had never quite heard of just how painful it would be. Like a lot of these reviews, I found people saying, 'It wasn’t that bad,' so I just want to share that it could be awful for you. I had to call an ambulance out, the sweats were that bad I became unresponsive when on the phone to the ambulance. I did not lose lots of blood, and the pregnancy passed within 4 hrs. I could not stop vomiting, and diarrhea did not stop. I wasn’t aware of just how awful this was going to be. I say this not to scare you, but I wish someone had shared this with me beforehand. Please make sure you have someone with you."

2 / 10
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  • Kel...
  • May 31, 2020

For Abortion "I started mifepristone at the doc. The next day I felt fine, light period, (I’m apparently the 5% that bleeds from it) BUT I started to feel dizzy, lightheaded, cramping was 3/4, and bleeding became HEAVY. I had clots, and I think I already passed the sac in the morning. Called the doc to confirm to still take misoprostol. The answer was yes (to get everything out). Took them orally. After about 15 min the cramps intensified. I sat on the toilet, crawled to the shower, cramps got to an 8/9, I moaned, got shaky, had cold sweats, and my vision got blurry. I was in solid pain for about 45 min. They prescribed me 800 mg ibuprofen and it did close to nothing. Probably the pain is a 5/6 now after about an hour. There were a few “OW” moments, but nothing compared. It sucks, but for 45 min it’s worth it. My advice: take the ibuprofen throughout the day and rotate Tylenol. I’m not bleeding much, but I was bleeding through 3/4 pads earlier. You got this and don’t read too much into these reviews!"

10 / 10
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  • Ann...
  • January 7, 2021

For Abortion "I was almost 9 weeks pregnant. Took the first pill and didn’t feel any difference at first. Had the lightest cramps later that night, but that’s all. Took the second medicine 48 hours later, inserted 4 pills in my vagina. One hour later, cramping started, but it was just like regular period. Another hour passed, and cramping got worse. Quickly it turned into the most painful cramps I’ve ever felt in my life. They lasted about 1-1.5 hours before I felt like something ‘unlocked’ and I started bleeding very heavily. Pain decreased immediately. The heaviest bleeding with large clots lasted about 3 hours, and then it slowed down. Now, over 24 hours later, I’m feeling great with very light cramping every now and then. I just wish someone had told me that pain was gonna be that bad so I could prepare for it. I don’t mean to scare anyone but be prepared for almost unbearable pain. Have pain relievers ready. Once the pregnancy passes, you’ll feel so much better."

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  • Aan...
  • May 4, 2020

For Abortion "I knew I was pregnant immediately. In fact, the nurse told me it was the earliest time down to the day that I could ask for an abortion. The first pill did nothing, but the next day when I took the rest was, and I cannot stress this enough, the worst pain of my entire life. I dead seriously screamed and yelled out in agony. They only gave me ibuprofen, so my partner called the emergency room to get something else. I could walk, I was vomiting, I had a horrible fever, and it came in intense waves. The pain lasted from the morning all the way into the late afternoon. Thankfully, the next day I was completely fine. I know most women say it was just mild cramping, but if you have a sensitive cervix, or I guess low pain tolerance (I have 20+ piercings and a ridiculous amount of tattoos, so debatable), then I want you to know this is a possibility."

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  • may...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 3, 2023

For Abortion "I'm writing this while comfortably lying in bed with very minor cramps only seven hours after starting my abortion treatment. I'm 19, and this was my first pregnancy. After the first round of misoprostol, the cramps were not that severe. It was only after the following two that I felt as though the pregnancy was being expelled. If I'm being honest, there were about 30 minutes of agonizing pain. I was sobbing into my pillow waiting for it to pass. After you get through that, the cramps become noticeably lighter. I felt no nausea or sickness, so I recommend inserting them vaginally rather than dissolving them in your mouth as it stops all the tablets from messing with your stomach. I monitored my bleeding each time I changed my pad. Clumps were no bigger than a sunflower seed and came out a couple at a time. Even though it's a scary and painful process, I promise it will be over very soon."

10 / 10
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  • Chi...
  • May 11, 2019

For Abortion "I took the first pill in the office and wound up sleeping much of that day away. My nurse gave me a prescription for Percocet for nausea, 800 mg of ibuprofen, and OxyContin for pain. The next morning, I took the pain meds about an hour before I took the misoprostol pills. I chose to insert the pills vaginally based on the suggestion of the nurse. I started to cramp and bleed about 1 hour later and began to pass pregnancy tissue about an hour after that. The pain was super manageable, so I guess I am lucky that I didn't have the unbearable pain other people had. I spent some time on the toilet because it was just more comfortable when passing pregnancy tissue. I also used a heating pad when I was lying down to help with the cramps. Pain was a 3/10 for the vast majority of the process. It spiked to a 5 or 6 around the time I needed to take another dose of the pain meds. I also changed my pad once every hour or so, but the bleeding got lighter as the day went on."

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  • Amb...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 8, 2018

For Abortion "When I was 19, I found out I was pregnant and decided whether I was going to carry to term or terminate. I decided to terminate via the abortion pill (Misoprostol) instead of a surgical/vacuum abortion. I decided this because I felt it was a bit more humane and natural (for lack of a better word). To be completely honest, this was the most excruciating experience of my life. I absolutely could not take the pain, and I have a very high pain tolerance. While everyone is different, I’d encourage you to take a different route because this one was absolute torture for me and, quite frankly, was a very traumatic experience. I think abortion is a difficult thing even if you’re not emotional about your decision. I felt this way made the procedure even harder on my body as it lasted for hours and took a mental toll on me, even though I was 100% certain I wanted to have an abortion. Think long and hard before you take the pill."

10 / 10
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  • Ayo...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 20, 2021

For Abortion "Guys, I was 3 months gone. I used this drug for abortion, and after 2 hours, I started feeling pain, just like normal cramps, and I started bleeding heavily, though it wasn't painful as expected. Like 30 minutes later, heavy blood clots started coming, and later, the product itself came out. After a week, I did another test, though I'm still bleeding, it says it is positive. What do I do?"

1 / 10
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