First-trimester medical abortion service in Hong Kong.
Research on medical abortion has been conducted in Hong Kong since the 1990s. It was not until 2011 that the first-trimester medical abortion service was launched. Mifepristone was registered in Hong Kong in April 2014 and all institutions that are listed in the Gazette as a provider for legal abortion can purchase mifepristone from the local provider. This article aimed to share our 3-year experience of this service with the local medical community. Our current protocol is safe and effective, and advocates 200-mg mifepristone and 400-µg sublingual misoprostol 24 to 48 hours later, followed by a second dose of 400-µg sublingual misoprostol 4 hours later if the patient does not respond. The complete abortion rate is 97.0% and ongoing pregnancy rate is 0.4%. Some minor side-effects have been reported and include diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain, and allergy. There have been no serious adverse events such as heavy bleeding requiring transfusion, anaphylactic reaction, septicaemia, or death.
The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, 10/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.
Sue S T
SS
Lo
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
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PC
Ho
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D017211:Treatment Failure; D055815:Young Adult
D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal; D016595:Misoprostol; D015735:Mifepristone
Abortion, induced; Hong Kong; Pregnancy trimester, first