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Considering the Abortion Pill in Durango, Colorado? Get the Facts.

by | Feb 22, 2026 | Abortion Pill

An unplanned pregnancy can be overwhelming. It’s crucial to make an informed decision about your options, especially when considering the abortion pill. This article explores:
  • How the abortion pill works
  • The risks of the abortion pill
  • Colorado abortion law
  • How to make the best choice for your health and future

What is the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill (medication abortion) is a two-drug regimen used to end a pregnancy in its early stages. It consists of two medications:
  • Mifepristone: The first pill blocks the hormone progesterone, which is necessary to sustain the pregnancy. Without progesterone, the pregnancy cannot continue, and the embryo stops growing.
  • Misoprostol: The second pill is taken 24-48 hours after mifepristone. It causes contractions to expel the pregnancy tissue.
By understanding how the abortion pill works, you can make an informed decision about whether it’s right for you.

What are the Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?

Like any medical procedure, the abortion pill can have side effects, ranging from mild to severe: Common side effects[1]:
  • Bleeding that can last up to a month
  • Headaches
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea and digestive pain
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Abdominal cramping (caused by the misoprostol)
Severe side effects (seek medical attention immediately):
  • Allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock)[2]
  • Hemorrhaging (excessive bleeding)[3]
  • Incomplete abortion (remaining pregnancy tissue)[4]
  • Infection (fever lasting more than 24 hours)[1]
Abortion, whether surgical or medical, can also impact your mental health. Studies have found that after an abortion, women may experience[5][6]:
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Low self-esteem
  • Substance abuse
  • Suicidal behaviors
If you’re thinking about suicide, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.

What Should I Do Before Taking the Abortion Pill?

To ensure that you are making a safe and fully informed decision, take these steps before taking the abortion pill:
  1. Receive an ultrasound to determine how far along you are and whether you are at risk for miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
  2. Get tested for STDs. Having an untreated STD during an abortion can increase the risk of complications like Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which may lead to infertility.[7]
  3. Explore all of your pregnancy options. The best way to make an informed decision is to explore all of your options: abortion, adoption, and parenting. Each has its own implications for your emotional, physical, and financial future. Take time to consider what each path might mean for you.
  4. Ensure you have someone to turn to. Following your abortion, you may experience a physical complication or complicated emotions. It is important that ahead of your procedure, you plan for who will help you through these circumstances. Choose someone you trust who will help you get the medical attention you need or help you process your experience in a healthy way and heal emotionally.
Pathways PRC provides free referrals for ultrasounds and STD testing and treatment. We can also answer any questions you may have about your pregnancy options. Schedule an appointment to get started today!
Schedule Your Appointment

Is the Abortion Pill Legal in Colorado?

Currently, abortion is legal all throughout pregnancy in Colorado. This includes surgical abortion and the abortion pill.[8] 

While Colorado law does not require an ultrasound before an abortion, providers often perform them to confirm the pregnancy’s viability, location (to rule out ectopic pregnancy), and gestational age for safety.

Pathways PRC offers free referrals for ultrasounds to help determine how far along you are in your pregnancy. This ensures you have the correct information to make an empowered decision.

How Late Can You Take the Abortion Pill?

The abortion pill is FDA-approved for use up to 10 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period.[9]

Taking the medication beyond this timeframe increases the risk of complications, and may require further medical intervention, including emergency surgery to address excessive bleeding or incomplete abortion.[10]

Can I Get Abortion Pills Over the Counter?

While the FDA has approved certain pharmacies to dispense the abortion pill with a prescription, you cannot obtain it over the counter. The process still requires a medical consultation and prescription from a licensed healthcare provider to ensure your safety.[11]

Can I Order the Abortion Pill Online?

Ordering the abortion pill online from unregulated sources is risky. The FDA warns against purchasing abortion pills from overseas or unverified online platforms, as these pills may be expired, counterfeit, or contaminated.[11]

Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider to ensure you receive FDA-approved medications.

Abortion Pill Information in Durango, Colorado

At Pathways PRC, we understand that facing an unplanned pregnancy can feel overwhelming. We’re here to provide you with the facts about the abortion pill and your other options.

Our services and referrals are confidential, free of charge, and designed to help you make the best decision for your health and future. Give us a call at 970-247-5559 or schedule your appointment online today. 

Schedule Your Appointment

Please be aware that Pathways PRC does not provide or refer for abortion services. 

Sources

  1. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2024, November 15). Mifepristone (Mifeprex). MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a600042.html 
  2. Shin, Hyun Joo, et al. “Anaphylactic Shock to Vaginal Misoprostol: A Rare Adverse Reaction to a Frequently Used Drug.” PubMed Central (PMC), 9 Aug. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6137020
  3. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2019, July). Prescribing Information for Mifeprex. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/022348s014lbl.pdf
  4. Mayo Clinic. (2022, July 29). Medical Abortion. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/medical-abortion/about/pac-20394687
  5. Fergusson, D. M., Horwood, L. J., & Ridder, E. M. (2005, September 22). Abortion in young women and subsequent mental health. Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2005.01538.x
  6. Coleman, PK. Abortion and mental health: quantitative synthesis and analysis of research published 1995–2009. British Journal of Psychiatry. 2011;199(3):180-186. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21881096/
  7. Mayo Clinic. (2022, April 30). Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594
  8. Colorado General Assembly. (2022, March 23). Reproductive Health Equity Act. https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb22-1279  
  9. 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-mifeprex  
  10. Redinger, A., & Nguyen, H. (2022, June 27). Incomplete Abortions. U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559071/ 
  11. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2025, January 17). Mifeprex (Mifepristone). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/mifeprex-mifepristone-information