Guidelines for non-doctors
These dosage guidelines were produced by the expert group convened by WHO in Bellagio in February 2007,and can be read by following the links to each indication or as a collection.
| Indication |
Dosage |
Notes |
|
Induced abortion (0-12 weeks)
|
800mcg inserted into the vagina every 12 hours (use a maximum of 3 dosages) |
Effective in around 80% of cases. It is more effective if used 48h after mifepristone (but this is difficult to get hold of). Help is available for women who want to self-administer this drug from www.womenonwaves.org |
|
Missed abortion (0-12 weeks)
(also known as a silent miscarriage)
|
800mcg inserted into the vagina every 3 hours
or
600mcg placed under the tongue every 3 hours
|
Give 2 doses and leave to work for 1-2 weeks (unless heavy bleeding or infection) |
| Incomplete abortion (0-12 weeks) |
600mcg swallowed as a single dose |
Leave to work for 2 weeks (unless heavy bleeding or infection) |
| Induced abortion (13-22 weeks) |
400mcg inserted into the vagina every 3 hours (maximum of 5 doses) |
Use 200mcg only in women with caesarean scar. Ideally used 48h after mifepristone 200mg |
Taken from Weeks A & Faúndes A. Misoprostol in obstetrics and gynecology. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2007;99,S156–S159. PDF (133 KB)
Warning!
Misoprostol is a very powerful stimulator of uterine contractions in late pregnancy and can cause fetal death and uterine rupture if used in high doses. Follow the dosage regimes carefully and do not exceed those doses.
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