INTRA‐AMNIOTIC ADMINISTRATION OF PROSTAGLANDIN 15 (S) 15‐METHYL‐E₂ METHYL ESTER FOR TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY

Abstract

Summary Intra–amniotic administration of a single dose of 100 μMg. of prostaglandin 15 (S) 15–methyl–E 2 methyl ester was successful in terminating 18 or 20 randomly selected mid‐trimester pregnancies. The remaining two patients aborted after intra–amniotic instillation of a second 100 μg. dose of the analogue 24 hours after the first one. The mean induction‐abortion interval was 16.5 hours. Side effects were limited to a rise in temperature (1.0°C. to 1.5 °C.) in three patients and vomiting in three patients. An additional group of 10 patients were given, by intra–amniotic injection, 200 μg. of prostaglandin 15 (S) 15–methyl–E 2 methyl ester, 24–hourly. No shortening of the mean induction‐abortion interval (17.25 hours) was noted. Although side effects after intra–amniotic administration of a 200 μg. dose were minimal (a temperature elevation of 1.6 °C. in one patient and vomiting in two patients), accidental injection or rapid absorption of this amount of compound into the general circulation could cause serious side effects.