A pilot study of mifepristone and misoprostol administered at the same time for abortion up to 49 days gestation

HYPOTHESIS: Simultaneous administration of mifepristone and misoprostol for medical abortion in women up to 49 days gestation will result in complete abortion in 90% of women within 24 h of treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty women with pregnancies up to 49 days gestation inserted 800 mug vaginal misoprostol in our office immediately after taking mifepristone 200 mg orally. Follow-up visits, which included vaginal ultrasonography, occurred 24+/-1 h and 2 weeks after treatment. If a gestational sac was still present at the first follow-up visit, the misoprostol dose was repeated. Suction abortion was performed for a viable gestation at the second follow-up visit, presence of a nonviable gestation within 5 weeks of treatment and when clinically indicated. RESULTS: Expulsion occurred in 36/40 (90%, 95% CI 80-99) and 39/40 (98%, 95% CI 93-100) women by the first and second follow-up visits, respectively. One woman who had initially expelled the gestational sac after a single dose of misoprostol later required a suction curettage for an incomplete abortion. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous administration of mifepristone and vaginal misoprostol is a promising regimen for medical abortion up to 49 days gestation.