Cytotec (Misoprostol)
Cytotec, like the vast majority of drugs, has potential adverse effects. The Summary of Product Characteristics for Misoprostol lists adverse effects and potential dangers of the drug. When you buy Cytotec for use in the field of reproductive health, different doses and routes are used. Thus the severity of side effects may differ from those mentioned in the Summary of Product Characteristics.
Taken together with aspirin, Cytotec intended to prevent the formation of ulcers in the stomach. This way, it is meant to offer protection to tens of thousands of women who lose their lives due to blood loss during child birth. Cytotec is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers resulting from chronic administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Cytotec has been extensively studied in reproductive health, and is widely recommended for the treatment of missed and incomplete miscarriages, the induction of abortion, and cervical preparation before uterine instrumentation, induction of labour and postpartum haemorrhage prophylaxis and treatment.
When used for abortion woman should buy at least 12 pills of 200 mcg Misoprostol. One pill of Cytotec should contain 200 micrograms of Misoprostol. Look for the dosage of Misoprostol on the package, usually the tablets contain 200 mcg but other dosages do exist. If the pills do not contain 200 micrograms of Misoprostol, recalculate the number of pills so that the same total amount of Misoprostol is used. Using Cytotec (or Misoprostol) alone to cause an abortion will be successful 99% of the time. If it is not effective the first time, you can try again after 3 days. The information is based on research by the World Health Organization.
Misoprostol added to list of Medicines for the treatment of incomplete miscarriage and abortion
The World Health Organization announced the inclusion of misoprostol to its Model List of Essential Medicines based on its proven safety and efficacy for the treatment of incomplete abortion and miscarriage. The judgment was made by an expert committee that evaluated available evidence, which includes several guidelines and numerous randomized and comparative clinical trials for this indication.
Cytotec (misoprostol) is prescribed to decrease the chance of getting stomach ulcers related to the arthritis or pain medication that you take. The original leaflet says that Cytotec can cause abortion, premature birth. It is also important to avoid pregnancy while taking this medication and for at least one month or through one menstrual cycle after you stop taking it.
The proposal was submitted by Gynuity Health Projects based on the following evidence and considerations:
- Misoprostol is effective for this purpose. More than a dozen randomized or comparative trials have been carried out, the most recent showing that misoprostol has a success rate of about 99% for treatment of incomplete abortion and miscarriage.
- Medical evacuation of the uterus with misoprostol offers an alternative to surgical treatment, which in low-resource settings is often unavailable and may be associated with significant morbidity.
- Misoprostol is inexpensive and so offers a low-cost but safe and effective means of treating this common obstetrical condition.
- Misoprostol is safe. More than 500 studies have been published on the use of misoprostol in obstetrics and gynecology that have involved well over 100 000 women.
- Incomplete abortion contributes disproportionately to maternal morbidity and mortality in much of the developing world.
The recommended doses for treatment of incomplete abortion and miscarriage are:
- A single oral dose of 600 micrograms
- A single sublingual dose of 400 micrograms
Unsafe Abortion
Millions unsafe abortions occur annually, resulting in the deaths of 50 000 women, nearly all in developing countries. Increasing access to life-saving treatment for complications of unsafe abortion is a pressing public health priority.
Misoprostol (Cytotec) is an effective means to save a woman's life after she experiences complications from miscarriage or unsafe abortion and considered an essential medicine by the World Health Organization for management of incomplete abortion and miscarriage.
How does an abortion with Cytotec work
The best and safest way a woman can do an abortion herself until the 12th week of pregnancy is with the use of medicine called Misoprostol (also known as Cytotec, Arthrotec, Oxaprost, Cyprostol, Mibetec, Prostokos or Misotrol). If you live in a country where there is no access to safe abortion services and you would like to obtain a medical abortion with Misoprostol, please read this.
Cytotec for medical abortion works best in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. After that, there is an increased risk of a complication and need for medical attention. A woman should make sure she is pregnant. She can do a pregnancy test or have an ultrasound.
To cause an abortion, a woman must put 4 pills of of 200 micrograms (in total 800 mcg) Cytotec under the tongue. Do not swallow the pills (at least until 30 minutes after putting the tablets under the tongue).
After 3 hours she should put another 4 pills of Cytotec under the tongue.
After 3 hours she should put another 4 pills of Cytotec under the tongue again for a third time. Do not swallow.
How can I buy Misoprostol Online?
In some countries women can buy Misoprostol at their local pharmacies and use it. But it is better to do a medical abortion with Mifepristone and Misoprostol. It is much more likely you will have a successful abortion than if you uses Misoprostol alone 98% effective with both medicines compared to only 90% with Misoprostol alone.
Some brand names for Cytotec are, Arthrotec, Oxaprost, Cyprostol, Prostokos and Misotrol. Sometimes it is sold over the counter without a prescription, or sometimes a prescription is required. It is less likely that one would need a prescription for Misoprostol.
Aid Access consults and prescribes misoprostol to residents of the United States for miscarriage management. (English and Spanish)
Cytotec Mexico has comprehensive information on mifepristone and misoprostol, and confidentially sends abortion pills to residents of Mexico. The cost of pills ranges from approximately 40 USD to 75 USD depending on dosage; prices are listed on the website in pesos. (Spanish)
TelAbortion sends abortion pills as part of a US-based study into the effective delivery of telemedicine abortion. The price of this service may vary from state to state and person to person. Services are currently available to eligible residents of Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, New Mexico, New York, Maine, Oregon, and Washington State.
Women Help Women provides various contraception options and mifepristone and misoprostol to people living in countries with restricted or no access to legal abortion. The United States is not on the list of supported countries, but residents of other countries can complete a confidential consultation online to evaluate if they are eligible to receive the medical abortion pills for a donation. (English, Spanish, French, German, and others)
Women on Web provides mifepristone and misoprostol to people living in countries with restricted or no access to legal abortion. United States residents cannot use this resource, but Women on Web offers the pill regimen to residents of 90+ countries across the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Asia for a sliding scale donation fee that may be waived in some circumstances. (English, Spanish, French, German and others)
Globally, millions of pregnant people have successfully completed their pregnancies using misoprostol. Misoprostol, which is often sold in pharmacies, is inexpensive, easy to store and use, and is a safe method for people who want to terminate a pregnancy. The medicine softens and dilates the cervix, causes the uterus to contract and expels the tissues of the pregnant woman. The multiple medical uses of misoprostol make it more affordable than other abortion pills such as mifepristone. Misoprostol is effective in terminating pregnancy in the first trimester when used as recommended.
Abortion with Misoprostol, how to use the Pill
Before Using The Pill be sure that your pregnancy is within the first 11 weeks (77 days) and you have a safety plan in case of emergency.
Step 1: Place 4 misoprostol pills (200 mcg each) under your tongue. Hold them under your tongue for 30 minutes. They may make your mouth dry or taste chalky as they dissolve. Do not eat or drink anything for these 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, rinse your mouth with water and drink down everything that is left of the pills. Wait 4 hours before proceeding to Step 2.
If you vomit during the 30 minutes that the misoprostol pills are under your tongue, it is likely they will not work. In this case, it is necessary to immediately repeat step 1. If you vomit after the pills have been under your tongue for 30 minutes, there is no need to repeat that step, as the pills have already absorbed into your system. Bleeding should begin within 3-4 hours of using misoprostol pills. The bleeding should be similar to or heavier than your normal menstrual period. This is a sign that the abortion is working.
Step 2: Repeat step 1 with another 4 pills, wait 3 hours. All women between 9-11 weeks pregnant should proceed to Step 3. If you are under 9 weeks pregnant and have had little or no bleeding after completing Step 2, proceed to Step 3. If you are under 9 weeks pregnant and have had period-like bleeding (or more) after Steps 1-2, you do not need to continue to the next step as the process is likely complete.
Step 3 (Only if you are 9-11 weeks pregnant, or had little or no bleeding after Steps 1-2): Repeat step 1 with another 4 pills.
We do not recommend using any more pills until the situation can be evaluated by a trained support person.
After You Take Misoprostol
Cramping and bleeding are the main effects. These symptoms are useful because they show the medicines are working. But how much cramping and bleeding will you have? For some women, cramping is very strong much more painful than menstrual cramps (if you have menstrual cramps). For some women, bleeding is heavier than a normal menstrual period. It is also common to pass blood clots in the first few hours after taking misoprostol. The size of the clots will vary depending on how far along the pregnancy was. For other women, cramping is mild and bleeding is like a normal menstrual period.
Do not be alarmed if you have more bleeding and cramping than a regular period. If you experience bad cramping ibuprofen is a good medicine to cope with pain. You can buy ibuprofen over the counter (without a prescription) in most countries. Take 3-4 pills (200 mg) every 6-8 hours. This should make your pain better. You can drink and eat as you like. Try to stay in a comfortable place until you feel better. Most women feel better in less than 24 hours. If you have extreme pain that does not get better even after you take the ibuprofen, seek medical help. This kind of extreme pain may mean that you could have a complication related to your pregnancy. Unresolved pain that is not relieved by ibuprofen can be a danger sign. We suggest any pregnant woman suffering pain seek medical care.
Note: Two weeks after your abortion, a pregnancy test will still be positive due to lingering hormones in your body. If you continue to feel pregnancy symptoms after using the pills, visit a doctor.