Pilot study on the use of sublingual misoprostol in termination of pregnancy up to 7 weeks gestation.
BACKGROUND
This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and incidence of side effects of a regimen of repeated doses of 400 microg sublingual misoprostol for termination of pregnancy of <7 weeks gestation.


METHODS
Fifty women were given 400 microg sublingual misoprostol every 3 h for three doses. Two additional doses were given if necessary.


RESULTS
Forty-three women (86%) had a complete abortion. Two women (4%) had incomplete abortion and 5 (10%) had an ongoing pregnancy. The median interval between the first dose of misoprostol and the passage of tissue mass was 14.1 h (3.25-561.6 h). The median duration of vaginal bleeding was 20 days (8-85 days). Side effects were mild and there was no significant drop in hemoglobin level.


CONCLUSIONS
Our preliminary results on sublingual misoprostol show that it is a promising method for medical termination of pregnancy of <7 weeks. It may be used as an alternative for women who do not want surgical evacuation and who live in an area where mifepristone is not available.
Cheung
Wai
W
The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China. w8382982@netvigator.com
Tang
Oi Shan
OS
Lee
Sharon W H
SW
Ho
Pak Chung
PC
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010865:Pilot Projects
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D016595:Misoprostol