Expert: Pat G - 6/26/2009

Question
Hello, I have a friend who is more than a month pregnant now and has Cytotec pills but is not sure how to take them.
Can you please help us and tell me how to take them and which is better orally or vaginally? or is it both?
How many pills do we need? for how many hours/days should she be taking them?
some people said she should have an empty stomach and not eat all day, is that true?
I need the details please.
Thank you.

Answer
Hi, Meera,

I am aware of some of the situations in UAE that lead women to seek abortion. That said, what you are suggesting can be deadly. She should see if she can get out of the country to a safe place.

Now on to your question. Vaginally is very dangerous and can be deadly. It can cause toxic shock syndrome, and that can kill a woman within hours. Cytotec was not designed for the purpose where it has been used. The manufacturer says specifically it should not be taken by a pregnant woman. There are a couple of reasons for this. For one thing, it can cause contractions so severe they can rupture a woman's uterus. And a lot of women who take it end up bleeding to death. Another problem is that it might not even cause abortion, and if so, it can cause birth defects in the baby. So no, she shouldn't be taking Cytotec at all. I can't tell you how to take them for two reasons. The first is that if I did, I would be practicing medicine without a license, and I could get into a lot of trouble. The second reason is that because Cytotec is so dangerous, I would be helping your friend hurt herself. I won't do that.

Whatever your friend is facing that causes her to want an abortion, I am concerned, and I can possibly help. But if she is unmarried or has been accused of adultery, she needs to get to a safe country.

That's really all I can tell you. I don't have any magic answers. But taking Cytotec is a VERY bad idea. Please don't let her do it! She is precious and she deserves better. Take care of her, and protect her. Don't help her hurt herself.

Let me know what happens. If you need any further assistance, the kind that isn't harmful to her, please ask.