Published in:
01-07-2015 | Original Article
Comparative Study of Misoprostol in First and Second Trimester Abortions by Oral, Sublingual, and Vaginal Routes
Published in: The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India | Issue 4/2015
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Objective
To identify an effective misoprostol-only regimen for termination of pregnancy between 12 and 20 weeks of gestation, a prospective randomized study comparing sublingual, vaginal, and oral routes of administration of misoprostol was done.
Methods
One hundred and fifty women (12–20 weeks gestation) were randomly divided into three groups and given 400 mcg misoprostol sublingually, vaginally, and orally every 4 h up to a maximum of four doses. Primary outcome was the success rate at 24 h. Secondary outcomes were failure rate, induction–abortion interval, and need for surgical intervention. Various side effects and patients’ subjective assessment of comfort with the route of administration were also studied.
Results
Success rate at 24 h of sublingual (86 %) group was higher compared to oral (64 %) group (P = 0.011). Complete abortion rate of sublingual (76 %) group was higher than that of oral (48 %) group (P = 0.004). There was no significant difference in the failure rate and need for surgical intervention in the three groups. Induction–abortion interval in sublingual (9.8 ± 3.6 h) and vaginal (10.6 ± 2.9 h) groups was shorter than that in oral group (14.3 ± 3.3). Diarrhea occurred significantly more in the oral group (28 %) and sublingual (22 %) compared to vaginal group (6 %). Fever was significantly higher in vaginal (36 %) than that in the oral group (12 %). Oral route of administration was most comfortable.
Conclusion
Sublingual route results in significantly higher abortion rate compared to oral route. Vaginal route has efficacy similar to sublingual route.