Pilot study on the use of repeated doses of misoprostol in termination of pregnancy at less than 9 weeks of gestation.

Pregnancy was terminated by repeated doses of vaginal misoprostol in 20 women at a gestational age of less than 9 weeks. The women were given 800 microg of vaginal misoprostol as an initial dose followed by 400 microg of vaginal misoprostol every 3 h for 4 doses. Fourteen women (70%, 95% confidence interval: 48 85%) had a complete abortion. Two women (10%) had a missed abortion, and two (10%) had an ongoing pregnancy. Two women ( 10%) had an incomplete abortion. The interval between the first dose of misoprostol and the passage of tissue mass was 25.3 +/- 34.4 h (median: 15 h). The duration of vaginal bleeding was 23.6 +/- 20.4 days (median: 14 days). Side-effects were mild and there was no significant drop in hemoglobin level. Repeated doses of vaginal misoprostol may be an alternative for women who do not want surgical abortion and who live in an area where mifepristone is not available.