title: Alternatives to mifepristone regimens for medical abortion.
abstract: Alternatives to regimens with mifepristone and a prostaglandin analog for medical abortion emerged because of the need for accessible, effective, and safe options in areas of the world where mifepristone was unavailable. Studies of oral or intramuscular methotrexate combined with misoprostol have demonstrated complete abortion rates in the same range as mifepristone regimens at </=49 days' gestation. The overall abortion process with methotrexate and misoprostol takes longer, however, with 20% to 30% of women requiring from 1 to 5 weeks for the abortion to occur. Multiple investigators have confirmed the safety, efficacy, and acceptability of various methotrexate and misoprostol regimens. Recent reports suggest that misoprostol alone may have similar efficacy, but with significantly higher rates of side effects. Randomized trials are needed to directly compare the clinical efficacies and acceptabilities of available medical abortion regimens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Pymar
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Creinin
mesh_terms: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal; D015735:Mifepristone; D008727:Methotrexate