Increasing women's choices in medical abortion: a study of misoprostol 400 microg swallowed immediately or held sublingually following 200 mg mifepristone.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and acceptability of two misoprostol regimens (400 microg oral or sublingual) following mifepristone for medical abortion.

METHODS: Women seeking abortion with gestations of 56 days or less since onset of their last menstrual period were offered medical abortion as an alternative to a surgical procedure. A total of 207 eligible and consenting women were given mifepristone (200 mg oral) and the option of taking 400 microg misoprostol either orally or sublingually two days later, with the option of home-use. Two weeks later, treatment success, satisfaction, and the frequency and acceptability of side effects were assessed.

RESULTS: Most women (97.6%) opted for home use of misoprostol and almost three quarters selected the oral route. Overall efficacy, acceptability of side effects and satisfaction were high in both groups. The success rate was lower after sublingual than after oral administration but not significantly so (91.3% vs. 96.3%, p = 0.23, RR: 0.93, 95% CI = 0.85-1.02). The frequency and average duration of side effects in both groups were comparable except for pain/cramps and fever/chills, which were more frequently associated with the sublingual route.

CONCLUSIONS: This study re-emphasises the feasibility of integrating medical abortion into health services in Turkey and the potential to increase choices for women.