Mifepristone and misoprostol for medical termination of pregnancy: the effectiveness of a flexible regimen

Abstract

Background: Mifepristone, followed 48 hours later by administration of misoprostol, is a well-established regimen for medical termination of pregnancy (TOP). Although this regimen is effective, its inflexibility may limit its provision in an outpatient service.

Objective: To confirm that misoprostol administration is effective whether administered 24, 48 or 72 hours after oral mifepristone.

Design: Observational study of 234 consecutive women with pregnancies up to 83 days' gestational age in whom medical TOP was performed during the period December 2000-July 2001.

Setting: Women's Health Care Department, Royal Bolton Hospital, Bolton, UK.

Results: There was a high success rate for complete abortion in all groups whether mifepristone was administered 24, 48 or 72 hours prior to misoprostol.

Conclusion: This study suggests that a more flexible regimen of mifepristone/misoprostol administration for medical TOP is effective in routine clinical practice.