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Misoprostol for the termination of pregnancy with a live fetus at 13 to 26 weeks
Author(s) -
Ho P.C.,
Blumenthal P.D.,
GemzellDanielsson K.,
Gómez Ponce de León R.,
Mittal S.,
Tang O.S.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2007.09.007
Subject(s) - misoprostol , medicine , mifepristone , chills , obstetrics , regimen , pregnancy , gestation , products of conception , gynecology , abortion , surgery , genetics , biology
A combination of mifepristone and misoprostol is the regimen of choice for termination of pregnancy between 13 to 26 weeks. In many countries, mifepristone is still not available, and misoprostol has to be used alone. Many misoprostol‐alone regimens have been reported in the literature with apparently good results. Most of the trials were conducted in pregnancies between 13 and 22 weeks. For this gestational period, we recommend the regimen of 400 μg of vaginal misoprostol every 3 h up to 5 doses, as it appears to be effective without excessive side effects or complications. There is inadequate data to recommend a regimen for the gestational period of 23 to 26 weeks but it is advisable to reduce the dose and frequency of administration of misoprostol. Common side effects of misoprostol‐induced termination of pregnancy include gastrointestinal side effects, abdominal cramps, bleeding, fever and chills. Complications may include infection or rarely rupture of uterus.