A comparison of 600 and 200 mg mifepristone prior to second trimester abortion with the prostaglandin misoprostol.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the use of 600 and 200 mg mifepristone prior to second trimester termination of pregnancy with the prostaglandin misoprostol.


METHODS
A randomised study.


METHODS
A Scottish teaching hospital.


METHODS
Seventy women undergoing legal induced abortion between 13 and 20 weeks of gestation.


METHODS
Administration of either 600 or 200 mg mifepristone 36 to 48 hours prior to prostaglandin.


METHODS
Induction-abortion interval.


RESULTS
The geometric mean induction abortion interval was 6.9 (95% CI 5.8-8.4) h and 6.9 (95% CI 5.8-8.2) h in the 600 and 200 mg groups, respectively (no significant difference). The median dose of misoprostol was 1600 micrograms (three doses) in each group. Analgesic requirements and prostaglandin-related side effects were similar between groups. Overall, 11.4% of women required surgical evacuation of the uterus as a result of retained placenta.


CONCLUSIONS
The dose of mifepristone used in second trimester abortion can be reduced from 600 to 200 mg.
Webster
D
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, UK.
Penney
G C
GC
Templeton
A
A
D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second
D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal; D016595:Misoprostol; D015735:Mifepristone