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Mifepristone (RU 486) has been used to terminate pregnancy in Europe and China, but has not been available in the U.S. This large trial reports on the use of 600 mg of mifepristone, followed by 400 μg of misoprostol two days later in 2,121 women seeking abortion.
Overall, successful termination occurred in 92%, 83%, and 77%, respectively, of women with gestational ages of 49 days or less, 50 to 56 days, and 57 to 63 days (p<0.001). Half the women's pregnancies terminated within four hours of taking misoprostol, and 75% within 24 hours. Ongoing pregnancy ranged from 1% of those in the 49 days or less group to 9% of the 57 to 63 days group. All women had vaginal bleeding, and virtually all had abdominal pain; some had nausea, vomiting, and dia…