Moving Misoprostol Out: What Next (Now)?

Jennifer Blum, M.P.H., Gynuity Health Projects

Introduction: This presentation will cover issues related to the improvement of current misoprostol regimens and lay out the steps for the expansion of misoprostol PAC services worldwide.

Materials and Methods: A review of the factors related to expanded use of misoprostol for postabortion care will be presented, covering appropriate health care infrastructure, cost, availability, and access. Some data from studies seeking to reduce the dose of misoprostol from 600 mcg orally to 400 mcg sublingually for PAC will also be presented.

Conclusion: At doses of 600 mcg orally and 400 mcg sublingually, misoprostol offers a safe and efficacious alternative to standard surgical care for the treatment of incomplete abortion. Providers and policy makers worldwide should be urged to consider misoprostol as a safe, low cost non-surgical alternative for the treatment of incomplete abortion. Pharmaceutical companies should be encouraged to register an appropriate misoprostol product for this indication.