title: Low-dose mifepristone 200 mg and vaginal misoprostol for abortion.
abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine the effectiveness, side effects, and acceptability of one-third the standard 600 mg dose of mifepristone (200 mg) to induce abortion. A prospective trial at seven sites enrolled women > or = 18 years, up to 8 weeks pregnant, and wanting an abortion. The women received 200 mg mifepristone orally, self-administered 800 micrograms misoprostol vaginally at home 48 h later, and returned 1-4 days later for ultrasound evaluation. Surgical intervention was indicated for continuing pregnancy, excessive bleeding, persistent products of conception 5 weeks later, or other serious medical conditions. Of the 933 subjects, 906 (97%) had complete medical abortions, 22 had surgical intervention, two were protocol failures, and three were lost to follow up. Of the 746 subjects who had no or minimal bleeding before misoprostol, 80% bled within 4 h and 98% within 24 h of using misoprostol. By day 7, 95% of women had a complete abortion. Side effects were aceptable in 85% of subjects, and 94% found the procedure acceptable. Low-dose mifepristone followed by vaginal misoprostol was highly effective as an abortifacient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine, New York 14620, USA. eschaff@aol.com
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Schaff
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Eisinger
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Stadalius
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Franks
authors.forename: B Z
authors.initials: BZ
authors.lastname: Gore
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Poppema
mesh_terms: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012646:Self Administration; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal; D016595:Misoprostol; D015735:Mifepristone