Induction of abortion with intra-amniotic or intra-muscular 15(S)-15-methyl-prostaglandin F2alpha.

In order to evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of 15(S)-15-methyl-prostaglandin F2alpha (15-me-PGF2alpha) for pregnancy termination, we induced 30 abortions with single intra-amniotic injections of 2,5 mg of 15-me-PGF2alpha and 25 abortions with intra-muscular 15-me-PGF2alpha administered 200 mug initially and 300 mug every third hour until 30 hrs or abortion. Abortion occurred within 30 hrs in 97% of cases in the intra-amniotic group, with a mean abortion time of 17,6 hrs and in 80% in the intramuscular group, with a mean abortion time of 15.0 hrs. Neither parity nor gestational age was significantly related to the abortifacient efficacy of 15-me-PGF2alpha. No serious complications occurred. Vomiting (83-84%) and diarrhoea (23-92%) were the most common complaints. Uterine contractions were more painful if induction was effected with intra-amniotic rather than intramuscular injections. 15-me-PGF2alpha appears to be an effective and practicable abortifacient which can be used intra-amniotically or intramuscularly according to the ease of amniocentesis.