Mifepristone followed by home administration of buccal misoprostol for medical abortion up to 70 days of amenorrhoea in a general practice in Curaçao.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of home administration of buccal misoprostol after mifepristone for medical abortion up to 70 days' gestation in a general practice in Curaçao, where induced abortion is severely restricted by law.

METHODS: In a prospective study 330 women received 200 mg mifepristone and were instructed to take four tablets (800 μg) of misoprostol via the buccal route 24-36 h later, at home. One week later, follow-up took place.

RESULTS: The outcome could be evaluated in 307 of the 330 women. The efficacy of the mifepristone-buccal misoprostol procedure was 97.7% (300/307). In seven women vacuum aspirations for continuing pregnancy or incomplete abortion following treatment were required. Success rates at 64-70 days' gestation were the same as for gestations of less than 64 days duration. The main adverse effects were nausea and diarrhoea.

CONCLUSION: Home administration of buccal misoprostol 24-36 h after mifepristone is a safe and effective method of medical abortion up to 70 days. It could be applied in a general practice in Curaçao, where induced abortion is legally restricted.