Medical abortion in women of less than or equal to 56 days amenorrhoea: a comparison between gemeprost (a PGE1 analogue) alone and mifepristone and gemeprost.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of a new dose regimen of vaginal gemeprost (1 mg every 6 h up to three doses) in induction of abortion in women less than or equal to 56 days gestation, and to compare this regimen with mifepristone (200-600 mg) followed 48 h later by a single dose of gemeprost (1 mg).


METHODS
Two separate protocols, with 50% of the subjects randomized to one or other protocol.


METHODS
The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.


METHODS
301 referred by their general practitioner or local family planning clinic, requesting termination of pregnancy at less than or equal to 56 days amenorrhoea.


METHODS
Ongoing pregnancies and incomplete abortions were terminated surgically.


METHODS
Number of complete abortions, analgesic requirements and bleeding pattern following treatment.


RESULTS
Complete abortion occurred in 87% of women treated with gemeprost alone and 98% of women treated with mifepristone and gemeprost (P = 0.0004). Analgesic requirements were greater in the group treated with gemeprost alone, compared with the group treated with mifepristone and gemeprost (P = 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The new dose regimen of gemeprost can be used for early induced abortion, but the use of mifepristone and gemeprost has several advantages over the use of gemeprost alone.
Norman
J E
JE
University of Edinburgh, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UK.
Thong
K J
KJ
Rodger
M W
MW
Baird
D T
DT
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000328:Adult; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000568:Amenorrhea; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D015735:Mifepristone; C021182:gemeprost; D000527:Alprostadil