The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol for the termination of pregnancy

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2011 Oct;115(1):1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2011.07.013. Epub 2011 Aug 27.

Abstract

The combination of 200mg of mifepristone followed by 25 μg to 800 μg (depending on gestational age) of misoprostol has been shown to be effective for the termination of pregnancy throughout gestation. The dose of misoprostol should be reduced as gestational age increases. Mifepristone is not indicated for induction of labor with a live fetus because there are no data to confirm that it does not have a possible deleterious fetal effect. The course of treatment and prerequisites for medical abortion and recommended mifepristone and misoprostol regimens for different gestational ages are described, along with the side effects, management of complications, and postabortion care. The use of the mifepristone-misoprostol combination regimen for induction of labor in cases of fetal death is also described.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline

MeSH terms

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / administration & dosage
  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / adverse effects
  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / therapeutic use
  • Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal / administration & dosage
  • Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal / adverse effects
  • Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Abortion, Induced / methods*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Fetal Death
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Labor, Induced / methods
  • Mifepristone / administration & dosage
  • Mifepristone / adverse effects
  • Mifepristone / therapeutic use*
  • Misoprostol / administration & dosage
  • Misoprostol / adverse effects
  • Misoprostol / therapeutic use*
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal
  • Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal
  • Misoprostol
  • Mifepristone