A prospective randomized study was conducted to compare the efficacy of misoprostol with gemeprost when combined with mifepristone for termination of second trimester pregnancy. Patients requesting termination of second trimester pregnancy were randomized into two groups. In both groups of patients, 200 mg of mifepristone was given 36 to 48 hours before the administration of prostaglandins. In Group 1, the women were given 400 micrograms of oral misoprostol every 3 hours up to 5 doses. In Group 2, patients were given 1 mg of vaginal gemeprost every 6 hours up to 4 doses. The main outcomes measured were the induction-abortion intervals (the interval between the first dose of prostaglandin and abortion) and the incidence of side effects. Altogether, 50 subjects were recruited with 25 women in each group. The mean age and parity of the women and the mean gestational age of the two groups of women were comparable. There was no significant difference in the median induction-abortion intervals (8.7 hours in Group 1 and 10.8 hours in Group 2) or the incidence of side effects between the two groups of patients. We conclude that misoprostol is as effective as gemeprost in termination of second trimester pregnancy when combined with mifepristone.
PIP: Findings are presented from a prospective randomized study conducted to compare the efficacy of misoprostol with gemeprost when combined with mifepristone to terminate second trimester pregnancy. 50 patients requesting the induced abortion of second trimester pregnancy were randomized into two groups of 25 women each. The mean age, parity, and mean gestational age of the two groups of women were comparable. 200 mg of mifepristone was administered to both groups of women 36-48 hours before the administration of prostaglandins. Women in group 1 were given 400 mcg of oral misoprostol every 3 hours up to five doses, while patients in group 2 were given 1 mg of vaginal gemeprost every 6 hours up to four doses. There was no significant difference in the median induction-abortion intervals or the incidence of side effects between the two groups of patients. The authors therefore conclude that misoprostol is as effective as gemeprost in terminating second trimester pregnancy when combined with mifepristone.