Early pregnancy interruption by 15 (S) 15 methyl prostaglandin F2alpha methyl ester

Suppositories of 15-methyl PGF2alpha methyl ester in triglyceride were administered vaginally to 75 women in whom 31 to 49 days had elapsed since their last menstrual period. Three or four suppositories of 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mg were given at intervals of 3 hours. Pregnancy was later confirmed in 63 of the women. In the pregnant women vaginal bleeding usually started 3 to 6 hours after the initiation of therapy and continued for 10 to 14 days. Patients were followed for 2 to 4 weeks with serial measurement of serum progesterone and hCG. There were no failures in the trial, but in 2 cases the treatment resulted in incomplete abortion. In 2 other patients curettage was performed due to prolonged bleeding, but histologic examination revealed no remaining signs of pregnancy. Gastrointestinal side effects were well within acceptable limits, and no serious complications occurred. Clinical signs of pelvic inflammatory disease were not found. The vaginal use of 15-methyl PGF2alpha methyl ester seems promising as a reliable outpatient nonsurgical self-administered procedure for termination of early pregnancy.