A randomized comparison of two regimens of misoprostol for second-trimester pregnancy termination

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and side effects of two different misoprostol regimens for second-trimester pregnancy termination.

We performed a randomized clinical trial in patients who were at 14 to 23 weeks of gestation and who were admitted for medical termination of pregnancy. All patients received 800 microg of vaginal misoprostol and were assigned randomly to 400 microg of oral misoprostol or 400 microg of vaginal misoprostol every 8 hours. Efficacy and side effects were compared. The mean induction time of the study group was compared with that of an historic control group that had received 400 microg vaginally every 12 hours.

Forty-three women were assigned randomly, 22 women to vaginal misoprostol and 21 women to oral misoprostol. Induction time and hospital stay were slightly shorter for the oral group; however, the differences were not significant. Side effects were similar for both groups.

After an initial 800 microg dose of vaginal misoprostol, a regimen of 400 microg of oral misoprostol every 8 hours is as effective as the same dose of vaginal misoprostol with no additional side effects, which provides a convenient alternative for midtrimester pregnancy termination.