Vaginal prostaglandin E2 for interruption of pregnancy and management of intrauterine death.

Vaginal suppositories containing 20 mg prostaglanding E2, administered at 2-5h intervals, are very effective in interrupting second-trimester pregnancy and in inducing labor in case of death in utero. However, side effects are common and make the treatment unpleasant to most patients. Premedication with an maintenance of a potent anti-emetic (e.g. haloperidol) and an anti-diarrheic (e.g. loperamide) considerably reduce the frequency and severity of these side effects.