A medical abortion with an MTP Kit is one of the safest ways to end an early pregnancy. The MTP Kit has Mifepristone 200mg and Misoprostol 800mcg. Understanding how to use the abortion pills and the exact dosage are essential for an effective procedure. Knowing the dosage instructions also prevents health risks and chances of an incomplete abortion.
Since the side effects of medical termination are linked to dose you take as well, you must focus on following the correct administration of MTP Kit pills. Here is everything you need to know about MTP Kit dosage and mistakes to avoid regarding the same.
Understanding the Standard MTP Kit Dosage
An MTP Kit has a total of 5 pills, but of two types. It has Mifepristone 200mg one pill and four Misoprostol pills, each 200mcg.
1. Day 1:
On day 1 you consume a 200mg Mifepristone pill without breaking, chewing, or crushing it. Rather, you swallow this medicine with water. Mifepristone stops the pregnancy growth by blocking progesterone. As a result, the endometrial lining sheds, detaching the products of conception from the implantation site.
2. Day 2 or 3:
On day 2 to 3 or after 24 to 48 hours, place two 200mcg Misoprostol pills at either sides of the cheek pouches i.e. total 4 pills, or all the four pills under the tongue. Once the medicines melt in 30 minutes, consult the melted ingredients. Or, you may insert the four pills one by one with clean hands within the vagina and close to the cervix. Lay down on your back or side for the medicine to melt in half an hour.
3. What to Expect:
You will get uterine contractions within a couple of hours, and abdominal cramping with vaginal bleeding in 4 to 6 hours thereafter. The bleeding is like a heavy period. Usually, this dose is sufficient to expel all the pregnancy. But sometimes you may need an extra dose of Misoprostol (4 to 8 pills more over the first 800mcg dose) to complete the medical abortion.
Why Dosage Mistakes Happen and Their Risks
It is possible to make mistakes with abortion pill doses due to misinformation about dosage, self-doubt, accessibility problems, panic, and other issues. In regions where healthcare facilities are limited, medical abortion myths may thrive, leading to wrong details about dosage information. The associated risks are:
- Side effects increase such as fever, diarrhea, nausea, etc. due to improper intake of pills.
- Excessive bleeding caused from overdose, resulting in life-threatening hemorrhage/
- Incomplete abortion with pregnancy tissues in the uterus, leading to emergency surgery or infection.
- Ongoing pregnancy because of not taking the MTP Kit pills at proper intervals.
10 Dosage Mistakes to Avoid with MTP Kit
1. Skippingthe the Mifepristone Dose Entirely
Taking Mifepristone pill improves the chances of a complete abortion. While Misoprostol pills alone can end a pregnancy, the effectiveness enhances with use of Mifepristone medicine.
2. Doubling Mifepristone Without Guidance
Do not take more than 200mg Mifepristone as it may lead to increase in side effects as well as adrenal suppression. So, take one Mifepristone tablet orally with water.
3. Delaying Misoprostol Beyond 48 Hours
Mifepristone pill is taken on day 1. After 24 to 48 hours or within this duration, take Misoprostol pills as advised for abortion to happen properly.
4. Swallowing Misoprostol Instead of Sublingual Use
Do not swallow Misoprostol pills with water like Mifepristone medicine. Rather, use Misoprostol either sublingually or buccally for the pills to dissolve, or administer vaginally.
5. Reducing Misoprostol to One Tablet Per Dose
Take at least 4 Misoprostol pills at once in the first dose. Do not take any less. When you take an extra dose thereafter, take 2 x Misoprostol 200mcg at once, and follow the same if you need additional doses.
6. Overdosing Misoprostol (More than 800 mcg Total)
Do not exceed four tablets in the first dose at once. Some people make the mistake of administering more than 2 pills of Misoprostol initially itself, leading to heightened side effects and problems.
7. Ingoring the 3-4 Hour Gap Between Misoprostol Doses
You must maintain at least a 3 to 4 hours interval between Misoprostol dosage. This spacing ensures proper prostaglandin release required to cause uterine contractions needed to expel the pregnancy.
8. Consuming Food or Drink Misoprostol Dissolution
When you have Misoprostol pills taken buccally or sublingually, do not take any food or drink, including water. Wait for at least 30 minutes for the pills to dissolve. Then consume the melted contents just like that.
9. Using Expired or Improperly Stored Kit
Do not use expired abortion pills. Store the MTP Kit away from heat, moisture, and direct exposure of sunlight. Do not refrigerate the medicine but store below 25°C in original packaging for the pills to remain in good condition for abortion purposes.
10. Mixing with Alcohol, Caffeine, or Painkillers Prematurely
Bleeding and other side effects may increase if you take caffeinated and alcoholic beverages a lot during the medical abortion. Wait for at least an hour or two after the Misoprostol use to start with Ibuprofen for pain relief.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Here are the common FAQs about MTP Kit dosage mistakes:
1. Can I take an MTP Kit if the pregnancy exceeds 9 weeks?
MTP Kit can work for pregnancies up to 9 weeks and at times is considered safe and effective for pregnancies up to 12 weeks. Any duration over this, the abortion pill will not work as expected, leading to incomplete termination.
2. Should I restart abortion pill dose after the initial bleeding stops?
Vaginal bleeding is heavy once it begins but may pause or reduce briefly before increasing again. Keep a check on the bleeding and do not take extra Misoprostol just like that until the need arises.
3. When should I avoid abortion pill use?
Taking MTP Kit is not advisable if you have allergy to its contents, an adrenal issue, ectopic pregnancy, IUD unremoved, and have other contraindications or using interacting substances.
4. Is it important to time MTP Kit dose intervals?
Taking the MTP Kit medicines just a few hours apart without timing the intervals can lead to dosing at improper durations. Thus, you must keep a check on the dosage intervals on clock or app that helps track the spacing involved in using Misoprostol pills after Mifepristone.
5. Should I Stop abortion pill dose in between when cramping begins?
While light to moderate cramping in the abdomen is possible initially and some bleeding too after Mifepristone, do not forget to take Misoprostol pills as recommended by the doctor. The full effects of MTP Kit are realized after a few hours of completing the Misoprostol dosage, while peak effects are experienced within 6 to 12 hours of the initial Misoprostol dose.