Misoprostol administration in medical abortion - A comparison of three regimens

OBJECTIVE: To determine the best regimen for using misoprostol after methot rexate in medical abortion with respect to outcome and side effects. STUDY DESIGN: In a cohort study, toe compared vaginal misoprostol in one co hort of 134 women who used 800 mug dry tablets with 99 women who used 600 m ug wet and 147 women who used 800 mug wet. These cohorts were compared with respect to outcome and side effects. RESULTS: The "dry" group had fewer completed abortions by day 8 (55.2% as c ompared to 69.7% and 71.1%, P = .008) but similar surgery rates. The dry gr oup also had fewer side effects, especially fever and chills (4.5% as compa red to 25.3% and 40.6%, P = .0001) and vomiting (8.2% as compared to 16.2% and 20.3%, P = .01), CONCLUSION: Of the three methods, the one consisting of 600 mug of wet miso prostol is the most effective for early completion of abortion and has the fewest side effects.