Interruption of pregnancy by prostaglandin 15-methyl F2alpha.
The current study was formulated to investigate the abortifacient activity of prostaglandin 15-methyl F2alpha (15-methyl PGF2alpha) administered intramuscularly to 80 healthy women with gestations between 8 and 22 weeks. Goals were the establishment of an effective dosage schedule and assessment of the incidence and severity of side effects. All 80 gravidas were aborted, with a mean time to abortion of 15.70 hours (SD, 6.52). Gastrointestinal side effects occurred in 89% of the patients; temperature elevations  greater than or equal to 100.6 degrees F were noted in 14 cases. No other significant complications were encountered. Transabdominal intra-amniotic pressure monitoring indicated the need to administer the drug at 2-hour intervals. The 15-methyl PGF2alpha patients were matched for parity and gestational length with 80 gravidas aborted with PGE2 20-mg vaginal suppositories. The difference in interval to abortion in the two groups was not statistically significant. While gastrointestinal side effects were more common with 15-methyl PGF2alpha, the frequency of drug-induced temperature elevations was reduced.
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000145:classification; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000187:drug effects*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000187:drug effects; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second / Q000187:drug effects; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011460:Prostaglandins F / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013488:Suppositories; D014619:Vacuum Curettage; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology
D011458:Prostaglandins E; D011460:Prostaglandins F; D013488:Suppositories; D010121:Oxytocin