SPECIAL ARTICLE Mifepristone versus the Yuzpe regimen (PC4) for emergency contraception P.W. Ashok * , H. Hamoda, G.M.M. Flett, A. Templeton Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Foresterhill, Cornhill Road, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom Received 16 March 2004; received in revised form 1 June 2004; accepted 3 June 2004 Abstract Objective: To compare side effects, women’s acceptance and satisfaction with mifepristone (100 mg) versus the Yuzpe regimen for emergency contraception (EC). Methods: A total of 1000 women requesting EC within 72 h of unprotected intercourse were randomized to receive mifepristone 100 mg or the standard Yuzpe regimen. Outcome measures included patient acceptability and satisfaction. Results: A total of 620 (62%) questionnaires were returned, 64% in the mifepristone group and 60% in the Yuzpe group. Mifepristone was better tolerated than the Yuzpe regimen. The rates of nausea ( Pb0.0001), abdominal pain ( P=0.001), tiredness ( Pb0.0001), lethargy ( P=0.001), hot flushes ( Pb0.0001) and dizziness ( Pb0.0001) were all significantly higher in women given the Yuzpe regimen compared to those who received mifepristone. Of these 94% and 80% in the mifepristone and Yuzpe groups, respectively, were satisfied with treatment ( Pb0.0001). Of women in the mifepristone group, 56% (181/321) had used the Yuzpe regimen of EC in the past and of these, 93.6% (161/172) indicated they would use mifepristone in the future. A total of four women in the Yuzpe group had mifepristone in the past and all four said they would use mifepristone in the future. Conclusion: Mifepristone has high patient acceptability and few side effects compared to the standard Yuzpe regimen for EC. D 2004 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. 0020-7292/$ - see front matter D 2004 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.ijgo.2004.06.012 * Corresponding author. Tel.: +44-1224-554978; fax: +44-1224-589680. E-mail address: ogy159@abdn.ac.uk (P.W. Ashok). KEYWORDS Emergency contraception; Postcoital contraception; Mifepristone; Yuzpe; Acceptability International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics (2004) 87, 188–193 www.elsevier.com/locate/ijgo