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What Are The Side Effects Of Misoprostol?
Question: Hi Dr,
Thank you for the reply.
Is Misoprostol safe to use without doctors advise or consultation? What are the side effects and possible complications?
Regards
Thank you for the reply.
Is Misoprostol safe to use without doctors advise or consultation? What are the side effects and possible complications?
Regards
Brief Answer:
Not safe at all.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
It is not at all safe to use Misoprostol without a doctors advise or consultation.
In fact you should consult a gynecologist as soon as possible.
Medical abortion is possible in early pregnancy, and I will explain the procedure to you, but it should be done under a doctor's guidance and supervision.
Firstly, the pregnancy should be confirmed by a doctor , preferably with an ultrasound scan.
This has two purposes.
IT dates the pregnancy accurately, because these abortion pills work only within a narrow frame of time.
Secondly, it confirms that the pregnancy is inside the uterus, rarely, there is a condition called ectopic pregnancy ( pregnancy outside the uterus ) which is very dangerous.
AFter confirming the pregnancy, tablets are taken by prescription.
GEnerally 1 tablet of Mifepristone is taken orally, 48 hours later 4 more tablets of Misoprostol are taken orally or inserted vaginally.
Bleeding with cramps starts in a few hours, and lasts heavily for a few days.
Spotting might continue for 15 days or more.
It is compulsory to have a follow up scan after 15 days to establish that the uterus is empty and the abortion is now complete.
Pills are more than 96 % effective in early pregnancy, however rarely there maybe complications such as - heavy bleeding, infection, failure of pills leading to surgical abortion , fainting etc.
Hence it is a must to keep a doctor in the loop throughout.
Take care.
Not safe at all.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
It is not at all safe to use Misoprostol without a doctors advise or consultation.
In fact you should consult a gynecologist as soon as possible.
Medical abortion is possible in early pregnancy, and I will explain the procedure to you, but it should be done under a doctor's guidance and supervision.
Firstly, the pregnancy should be confirmed by a doctor , preferably with an ultrasound scan.
This has two purposes.
IT dates the pregnancy accurately, because these abortion pills work only within a narrow frame of time.
Secondly, it confirms that the pregnancy is inside the uterus, rarely, there is a condition called ectopic pregnancy ( pregnancy outside the uterus ) which is very dangerous.
AFter confirming the pregnancy, tablets are taken by prescription.
GEnerally 1 tablet of Mifepristone is taken orally, 48 hours later 4 more tablets of Misoprostol are taken orally or inserted vaginally.
Bleeding with cramps starts in a few hours, and lasts heavily for a few days.
Spotting might continue for 15 days or more.
It is compulsory to have a follow up scan after 15 days to establish that the uterus is empty and the abortion is now complete.
Pills are more than 96 % effective in early pregnancy, however rarely there maybe complications such as - heavy bleeding, infection, failure of pills leading to surgical abortion , fainting etc.
Hence it is a must to keep a doctor in the loop throughout.
Take care.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Answered by
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