POPLINE Document Number: 120521
Author(s):
Davey A
Urquhart DR
Templeton AA
Shinewi F
Chapman M
Hawkins K
McGarry J
Rodger M
Baird DT
Bjornsson S
Source citation:
CONTRACEPTION, 1997 Jan;55(1):1-5.
Abstract:
A multicenter study conducted in the UK confirmed the safety, efficacy, and acceptability of a mifepristone (RU-486)-prostaglandin regimen as an alternative to surgical termination of an early first trimester pregnancy. The 975 study subjects (median age, 24 years) were recruited from 13 hospital gynecologic units in Scotland and England; gestational age could not exceed 9 weeks. They received 600 mg oral RU-486 followed 48 hours later by vaginal gemeprost (1 mg). Of the 957 women for whom data were evaluable, 907 (94.8%) aborted successfully with no serious complications; surgical evacuation was required in another 5.2%. There was no association between efficacy and either gestational age or parity. Within 5 days of gemeprost administration, 660 women (75.6%) had ceased to bleed or had only light bleeding/spotting. Overall, 90 women (9.4%) complained of severe or excessive bleeding associated with the regimen. The incidence and severity of pain reached a maximum 2 hours after gemeprost, when 537 women (56%) complained of moderate or severe discomfort; 275 (28.5%) required narcotic analgesia. In the 4 hours after gemeprost insertion, 23.3% of women vomited and 11.2% had diarrhea. Since the majority of side effects recorded in this study were associated with gemeprost, the use of vaginally delivered misoprostol in conjunction with RU-486 may merit investigation.
Keywords:
United KingdomIndex page
Research Report
Clinical Research
Abortion
RU-486
Prostaglandins
Side Effects
Developed Countries
Europe, Western
Europe
Research Methodology
Fertility Control, Postconception
Family Planning
Hormone Antagonists
Hormones
Endocrine System
Physiology
Biology
Treatment