Simultaneous very low dose mifepristone and vaginal misoprostol for medical abortion

Abstract

Objective This pilot study was designed to evaluate the outcome of medical abortion following simultaneous mifepristone (100 mg) and misoprostol (800 μg). Methods Enrollees had gestational ages up to 56 days and desired a medical abortion. They received 100 mg of mifepristone orally and 800 μg of misoprostol vaginally. Follow-up examination occurred in 2–7 days. A phone call 3 weeks later assessed symptoms and acceptability. A 95% success rate, as seen in higher dose studies, gives a 95% confidence interval of 88–100% for 40 subjects. Results Forty women were enrolled; 39 women had follow-up visits. Completed medical abortion was confirmed for 35 (90%) of 39 women. Four women had uterine aspiration. Two patients required repeat misoprostol. Median time from medication to abortion was 7 h. Most women (92%) strongly preferred taking all medications in the clinic. Conclusions The simultaneous administration of vaginal misoprostol with 100 mg of oral mifepristone had the outcome of completed abortion within the predicted confidence interval. In addition, simultaneous dosing was highly acceptable.