Early abortion with a single dose of the antiprogestin RU-486.
RU-486 is a synthetic progesterone antagonist that is abortifacient in early pregnancy. This trial evaluated the effectiveness and safety of a single 600 mg oral dose given to 50 healthy women less than or equal to 49 days from their last menstrual period. Efficacy was inversely related to the initial beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin level, ranging from 100% at less than 5000 mIU/ml to 81% at greater than 20,000 mIU/ml (p less than 0.05). Uterine bleeding was the most serious side effect. However, the mean change in the hemoglobin value 14 days after treatment was -0.4 gm/dl, and no patient required blood transfusion. This regimen appears to be simple, effective, and safe.
Grimes
D A
DA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, Los Angeles, CA 90033.
Mishell
D R
DR
Shoupe
D
D
Lacarra
M
M
D000019:Abortifacient Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004963:Estrenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D015735:Mifepristone; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D013607:Tablets; D013997:Time Factors; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced
D000019:Abortifacient Agents; D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D004963:Estrenes; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D013607:Tablets; D015735:Mifepristone