The use of misoprostol for termination of early pregnancy

Misoprostol is a prostaglandin analogue with uterotonic properties. A group of 141 women with less than 70 days of pregnancy received up to 3 doses of 800 micrograms of misoprostol every 48 hr. Failure was defined as the need for surgical abortion and success as the complete expulsion of the products of conception pharmacologically. In total, 132 cases (93.6%, 95% CI 89.4-97.8) aborted pharmacologically and 9 cases (6.4%) failed. The decrease in hemoglobin was statistically significant (p = 0.001) but without clinical repercussions; before treatment: 11.95 mg/dI (SD 1.19) and after: 11.14 (SD 1.20). Statistically significant differences were not noticed between success rates and failures in relation to gravidity, parity, previous abortions, race, or age, but were noticed with a gestation upwards of 9 weeks (p = 0.01). The third dose of misoprostol showed very little efficacy. The convenience of using more frequent doses and shortening the treatment, combined with different routes of administration, are discussed.