Mifepristone versus the Yuzpe regimen (PC4) for emergency contraception.
OBJECTIVE
To compare side effects, women's acceptance and satisfaction with mifepristone (100 mg) versus the Yuzpe regimen for emergency contraception (EC).


METHODS
A total of 1000 women requesting EC within 72 h of unprotected intercourse were randomized to receive mifepristone 100 mg or the standard Yuzpe regimen. Outcome measures included patient acceptability and satisfaction.


RESULTS
A total of 620 (62%) questionnaires were returned, 64% in the mifepristone group and 60% in the Yuzpe group. Mifepristone was better tolerated than the Yuzpe regimen. The rates of nausea (P<0.0001), abdominal pain (P=0.001), tiredness (P<0.0001), lethargy (P=0.001), hot flushes (P<0.0001) and dizziness (P<0.0001) were all significantly higher in women given the Yuzpe regimen compared to those who received mifepristone. Of these 94% and 80% in the mifepristone and Yuzpe groups, respectively, were satisfied with treatment (P<0.0001). Of women in the mifepristone group, 56% (181/321) had used the Yuzpe regimen of EC in the past and of these, 93.6% (161/172) indicated they would use mifepristone in the future. A total of four women in the Yuzpe group had mifepristone in the past and all four said they would use mifepristone in the future.


CONCLUSIONS
Mifepristone has high patient acceptability and few side effects compared to the standard Yuzpe regimen for EC.
Ashok
P W
PW
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Foresterhill, Cornhill Road, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom. ogy159@abdn.ac.uk
Hamoda
H
H
Flett
G M M
GM
Templeton
A
A
D000328:Adult; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003283:Contraceptives, Postcoital, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D003283:Contraceptives, Postcoital, Synthetic; D015735:Mifepristone; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel