A randomised controlled trial of 6 and 12 hourly administration of vaginal misoprostol for second trimester pregnancy termination.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of vaginal misoprostol administered 6 or 12 hourly for second trimester pregnancy termination.


METHODS
A randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
University teaching hospital.


METHODS
Two hundred and seventy-nine pregnant women at gestations between 14 and 26 weeks undergoing pregnancy termination.


METHODS
Women were randomised to receive 600-microg misoprostol tablets vaginally either every 6 hours or every 12 hours until abortion occurred.


METHODS
Induction-abortion interval, success rate within 24 and 48 hours and adverse effects.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the median induction to abortion interval 6 hours (16 hours) and 12 hours (16 hours; P= 0.80). The total dose of misoprostol was higher in the 6-hour group (1800 vs 1200 microg). The cumulative abortion rates within 24 hours were 74% and 67% and within 48 hours 94% and 92%, in the 6- and 12-hour groups, respectively. Fever was more common in the 6-hour group (53%) versus the 12-hour group (31%; P < 0.001). The incidence of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, severe bleeding and abdominal pain were similar.


CONCLUSIONS
Misoprostol (600 microg) administered at 12-hour intervals was associated with fewer adverse effects and was as effective as a 6-hour interval.
Herabutya
Yongyoth
Y
Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Chanrachakul
Boonsri
B
Punyavachira
Piyaporn
P
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D016595:Misoprostol