title: Pilot study on the use of sublingual misoprostol for medical abortion.
abstract: A new route of sublingual administration of misoprostol was used by 25 women with first trimester, non-viable intrauterine gestation and by 18 women requesting mid-trimester termination of pregnancy. Twenty-three women (92%, 95% CI 75, 98) with first trimester, non-viable gestation had complete abortion after sublingual misoprostol. All women (100%, 95% CI 82, 100) requesting second trimester abortion aborted, and the median induction-to-abortion interval was 11.6 h. Our preliminary results on sublingual misoprostol show that it is a promising method for medical abortion. Prospective randomized studies are required to compare its efficacy and side effects with vaginal misoprostol and to work out the dosage and dosing interval.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China. ostang@graduate.hku.hk
authors.forename: O S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D016595:Misoprostol