Termination of early pregnancy through a combination of the antiprogestin and prostaglandin analogue

Abstract

Termination of early pregnancy (less than 49 days of amenorrhea) was induced in 75 patients with the combination of the antigestagen mifepristone and a prostaglandin analogue, meteneprost. After 48 h a single oral dose of 600 mg of mifepristone was followed by a 10 mg meteneprost vaginal pessary. Pregnancy was confirmed by clinical and ultrasound examinations and plasma HCG assessment. Complete abortion occurred in 72 patients (96%) and the three others required a surgical uterine aspiration. Bleeding continued for 4 to 12 days (mean = 8). Uterine pain and side effects occurred during the 3 h following the use of prostaglandin. Only minor analgesic were required in 30 patients. The combination of mifepristone and meteneprost is a safe and effective method to terminate an early pregnancy.

PIP: Termination of early pregnancy (49 days of amenorrhea) was induced in 75 patients with the combination of the antigestagen mifepristone and a prostaglandin (PG) analogue, meteneprost. After 48 hours, a single oral dose of 600 mg mifepristone was followed by a 10 mg meteneprost vaginal pessary. Pregnancy was confirmed by clinical and ultrasound examinations and plasma hCG assessment. Complete abortion occurred in 72 patients (96%) and the 3 others required a surgical uterine aspiration. Bleeding continued for 4-12 days (mean=8). Uterine pain and side effects occurred during the 3 hours following the use of PG; only minor analgesics were required in 30 patients. The combination of mifepristone and meteneprost is a safe and effective method of terminating and early pregnancy.