Side effects and efficacy of oral mifepristone plus sublingual misoprostol regimen in early medical abortion (gestation up to 63 days)

Abstract

Introduction: Medical abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol has few side effects that cannot be avoided. Efficacy of medical abortion varies with the routes of administration and the doses of mifepristone and misoprostol. This study aimed to investigate the side effects and abortifacient efficacy of 200 mg oral mifepristone and 800 mcg sublingual misoprostol regimen in termination of early pregnancy.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Marie Stopes Clinic, Gongabu, Kathmandu. Altogether 103 women with a period of gestation (POG) up to 63 days were selected by purposive sampling technique and were interviewed using two sets of the semi-structured questionnaire. Each woman received 200 mg mifepristone at the clinic. Then 800 mcg misoprostol was taken sublingually at home after 48 hours. Confirmation of abortion was done by ultrasonography. Association between efficacy and POG was calculated by using Chi-square and/or Fisher’s exact test.

Results: Side effects reported were nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, fever, chills/shivering, headache, lower abdominal pain, anorexia, lower back pain. The overall efficacy of the regimen was 98.1%. Rates of complete abortion were 98.8% in ≤49 days’ POG and 95.0% in >49days’ POG. The differences were not statistically significant (p-value >0.05).

Conclusion: Medical abortion done by using this regimen had few side effects, but no serious side effects or complications were reported. Efficacy of this regimen was high. This study will help to estimate the possible side effects, complications and effectiveness of the given regimen required for proper counselling to the women who opt for medical abortion.