Oral methotrexate and vaginal misoprostol for early abortion

A prospective trial including 300 pregnant women seeking elective abortion was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of methotrexate and misoprostol for abortion at less than or equal to 63 days' gestation. Subjects received methotrexate 50 mg orally and were randomly allocated to receive 800 mu g of misoprostol vaginally 3, 4, or 5 days after administration of the methotrexate. The misoprostol dose was repeated 48 and 96 h later if abortion did not occur. Outcome measures included successful abortion (complete abortion without requiring a surgical procedure) and side effects. Complete abortion occurred in 273 of 300 patients (91%, 95% CI 87, 94%) patients. No significant statistical differences were found in the success rates when misoprostol was given days 3, 4, or 5 after the administration of methotrexate IP = 0.69). Vaginal bleeding lasted 7.1 +/- 3.8 days, spotting 4.1 +/- 2.5 days, and total bleeding 11.2 +/- 4.1 days. Side effects for methotrexate were minimal, whereas, for misoprostol they were mild and transient except for pain. The use of methotrexate and misoprostol together could he an alternative to the intramuscular use of methotrexate or the use of antiprogestins and prostaglandin for medical abortion. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.