Interruption of pregnancy with vaginal suppositories containing 16,16-dimethyl-trans-Δ2-prostaglandin E1 methyl ester

Abstract A newly synthesized Prostaglandin E 1 analogue, 16,16-dimethyl-trans- Δ 2 -Prostaglandin E 1 methyl ester, has been shown to be effective in termination of 1st and second trimester pregnancy following vaginal administration. Suppositories, each containing 1 mg Prostaglandin E 1 derivative, were administered five times to each of fifty pregnant women of five to twenty gestational weeks at three-hourly intervals. The procedure was clinically effective in 86% of the patients resulting in 56% complete and 30% incomplete abortions. The cervix of all patients was dilated up to 7 mm in diameter at the second insertion of the suppository. Vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal pain not requiring sedation were observed in all patients. Diarrhea (42%), vomiting (6%), and fever (4%) were the most common side effects. The Karyopyknotic Index of the vaginal smear increased significantly ( p