Vaginal Misoprostol 1000 μg for early abortion

The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 1000 mug misoprostol vaginally (Cytotec) self-administered into the vagina for medical abortion. Three-hundred women with gestations between 42 and 63 days, with previous written consent, received vaginal misoprostol every 24 h up to a maximum of three doses for abortion. Outcome measures assessed included: successful abortion (complete abortion without surgery), side effects, decrease in hemoglobin. mean time of vaginal bleeding, mean expulsion time and mean time of returning of menses. Complete abortion occurred in 279/300 (93.0%. 95% CI 90, 96) patients. Medication to relieve symptoms was administered to all subjects after every misoprostol dose. Vaginal bleeding lasted 14.7 +/- 5.4 days. Mean expulsion time was 8.1 +/- 3.0 h for those who aborted after the first misoprostol dose. The mean drop in hemoglobin was statistically significant (p = 0.0001) but without clinical relevance. The frequencies of nausea and diarrhea were high. According to the observed outcomes, 1000-mug misoprostol vaginally could be a valid method to terminate pregnancies up to nine weeks gestation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.