Objective: To compare the effectiveness of Misoprostol administered
intravaginally every 12 versus 6 hours for termination of pregnancy in the
first and second trimesters.
Methods: Fifty six pregnant patients at 7 – 22 weeks of gestation were
ran
domized to receive 800 μg (first trimester) and 200 μg either every 12 or
every 6 hours for 48 hours.
Results: The incidence of abortion within 48 hours after initial dose, in the
first trimester was 100% in the two groups, in the second trimester the
incidences were 95.5 and 100%. The incidences of abortion by a single dose
in the first trimester were 85 and 10% in the 12 and 6 hours groups
respectively (P <0.001) The mean abortion intervals 8.3 , 20.2 and 12.4
hours in the 12 and 6 hour group respectively. Side effects were similar in
both groups.
Conclusion: Misoprostol administered vaginally is effective for termination
of first and second trimester pregnancies in non scared uterus. Giving the
medication at a shorter interval from 12 to 6 hours appeared to have no
significant benefit.
