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Abstract
The pattern and amount of blood loss following induction of therapeutic abortion using
mifepristone (RU 486) and a prostaglandin E analogue (gemeprost) was studied in 222
women of less than 63 days amenorrhoea. A single oral dose of mifepristone (400, 500
or 600 mg) was followed 48 hours later by a half or 1 mg gemeprost vaginal pessary.
Complete abortion occurred in 218 (98%) women without necessity for surgical evacuation
of the uterus. Bleeding commonly occurred following administration of mifepristone
and prior to prostaglandin administration. The median duration of bleeding following
abortion was 13 days with a range of from 1 to 44 days. There was a wide individual
variation in measured blood loss between women, from 14 to 512 ml, with a median loss
of 74 ml. The amount of blood loss was independent of the dose of mifepristone or
prostaglandin but was significantly correlated with gestation. These results confirm
that the combination of mifepristone and gemeprost is a highly effective and safe
method of inducing therapeutic abortion medically. As the amount of blood loss increases
with increasing gestation, it is suggested that its use should be restricted to women
with amenorrhoea ≤ 56 days.
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
June 26,
1989
Received:
June 21,
1989
Identification
Copyright
© 1989 Published by Elsevier Inc.
