Pilot study on the use of sublingual misoprostol for medical abortion.

A new route of sublingual administration of misoprostol was used by 25 women with first trimester, non-viable intrauterine gestation and by 18 women requesting mid-trimester termination of pregnancy. Twenty-three women (92%, 95% CI 75, 98) with first trimester, non-viable gestation had complete abortion after sublingual misoprostol. All women (100%, 95% CI 82, 100) requesting second trimester abortion aborted, and the median induction-to-abortion interval was 11.6 h. Our preliminary results on sublingual misoprostol show that it is a promising method for medical abortion. Prospective randomized studies are required to compare its efficacy and side effects with vaginal misoprostol and to work out the dosage and dosing interval.