Misoprostol (Cytotec)
Let us remember that it was women who discovered this drug in the first place, specifically to circumvent the weakness of the health-care system. Let us give them back this powerful tool and get out of their way - Francine Coeytaux & Elisa Wells
image by: KTSM 9 News
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Misoprostol Is a Game-Changer for Safe Abortion and Maternal Health Care. Why Isn’t it More Widely Available?
Pragmatic Brazilian women first discovered the potential of misoprostol (or Cytoteca, in their parlance) in the 1980s. According to the label on this widely used peptic ulcer drug, it was not to be taken during pregnancy as it could induce bleeding. Living in a country with very restrictive policies and little access to safe abortion services, they recognized the opportunity to circumvent the system and, by word of mouth, spread the word to other women about this easily obtainable pill that could help them safely end an unwanted pregnancy... What began in Brazil as a natural public health experiment has been validated by rigorous clinical studies conducted by international groups such as the…
Resources
Misoprostol – a pill that saves women's lives or an excuse not to give them care?
With a quarter of women's deaths in childbirth caused by bleeding, a pill to prevent or stop haemorrhage is a godsend, say many. But the evidence for the safety and efficacy of misoprostol, which can also be used to bring about abortion, continues to be furiously contested
Efficacy of Misoprostol Alone for First-Trimester Medical Abortion: A Systematic Review
Despite these limitations, currently available data suggest that misoprostol as a single agent is a reasonable option for women seeking abortion in the first trimester. This treatment is clearly less effective than standard regimens that also contain mifepristone.
Everything You Need To Know About The Abortion Pill
For Nicole, taking the abortion pill was like getting through "an extremely painful poop." It hurt, a lot, and then it was done. She was bartending at the time, lightyears away from thinking about motherhood, and decided on medication abortion.
The FDA holds the key to expanding abortion access
About a month ago in Mexico City, I walked into a pharmacy to see how easy it would be to buy misoprostol, a drug for ulcers that is also used to induce abortions. Very easy, it turned out: All I had to do was ask for the drug and pay 699 Mexican pesos (about $35), no questions asked.
The Science Behind the “Abortion Pill”
“Overall [a medication abortion] is extremely safe,” says Thaxton, who is also a member of Physicians for Reproductive Health. Common symptoms include nausea, cramping and heavy bleeding, similar to what women experience during a miscarriage. Thaxton generally tells her patients that if they soak through four maxi pads in two hours, that's too much bleeding, and they should consult their physician
Misoprostol Is a Game-Changer for Safe Abortion and Maternal Health Care. Why Isn’t it More Widely Available?
If we have a cheap and readily available drug that can prevent and treat the two largest causes of maternal mortality worldwide—postpartum hemorrhage and unsafe abortion—why have we not taken more advantage of it?
Mifepristone and misoprostol: Recommended regimen
Mifepristone 200mg orally followed 1-2 days later by misoprostol 800mcg buccally, sublingually or vaginally. The dose of misoprostol can be repeated to achieve abortion success. After 9 weeks gestation, routinely using at least two doses of misoprostol, administered 3-4 hours apart, improves abortion success rates. A combined regimen of mifepristone and misoprostol is effective and safe with abortion success rates over 95%, continuing pregnancy rates around 2% and complication rates of 1-3%.
Misoprostol.org
Use of misoprostol in obstetrics and gynaecology. The correct dosage varies greatly according to gestation, indication and route of administration - using the correct dosage is vital for success and to prevent complications.
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