MISOPROSTOL IS AS EFFECTIVE AS GEMEPROST IN TERMINATION OF 2ND TRIMESTER PREGNANCY WHEN COMBINED WITH MIFEPRISTONE - A RANDOMIZED COMPARATIVE TRIAL

A prospective randomized study was conducted to compare the efficacy o f misoprostol with gemeprost when combined with mifepristone for termi nation of second trimester pregnancy. Patients requesting termination of second trimester pregnancy were randomized into two groups. In both groups of patients, 200 mg of mifepristone was given 36 to 48 hours b efore the administration of prostaglandins. In Group 1, the women were given 400 mu g of oral misoprostol every 3 hours up to 5 doses. In Gr oup 2, patients were given 1 mg of vaginal gemeprost every 6 hours up to 4 doses. The main outcomes measured were the induction-abortion int ervals (the interval between the first dose of prostaglandin and abort ion) and the incidence of side effects. Altogether, 50 subjects were r ecruited with 25 women in each group. The mean age and parity oi the w omen and the mean gestational age of the two groups of women were comp arable. There was no significant difference in the median induction-ab ortion intervals (8.7 hours in Group 1 and 10.8 hours in Group 2) or t he incidence of side effects between the two groups of patients. We co nclude that misoprostol is as effective as gemeprost in termination of second trimester pregnancy when combined with mifepristone.