As an abortifacient

Gemeprost (73 16.16-dimethvl-trans-A -prostaglandin-E]) is dramatically more potent on a dosage basis as an abortifacient than prostaglandin E2 itself and has fewer side effects. The gem-dimethyl groups at C-16 protect the alcohol moiety at C-15 from rapid metabolic oxidation. 

Toxicological observations indicate that pulegone is an insect neuro-toxin, as well as an abortifacient in women and in animals. (15)-( — )-Pulegone is far less toxic in mice than (li )-(+) pulegone (both hepatotoxic and pneumotoxic). 

Reports, primarily from Brazil, of congenital anomalies and fetal death subsequent to use of misoprostol alone, as an abortifacient, have been received. 

Vance BM. 1945. Intrauterine injection of Lysol as an abortifacient Report of a fatal case complicated by oil embolism and Lysol poisoning. Arch Pathol 40 395-398. 

TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL USES Algeria. Hot water extract of the seed, mixed with Euphorbia species and a beetle, is taken orally to facilitate childbirth° °. Arabic countries. The dried seeds are used as an abortifacient in the form of a pessary in Unani medicine° . 

Dried seeds are mixed with crude sugar and eaten to terminate early pregnancy " " . Hot water extract of the dried root is taken orally as a tonic, expectorant, diuretic, stomachic, and liver cleanser " "" ". Hot water extract of the leaf is taken orally as a uterine stimulant during parturition " """". Hot water extract of the seed is taken orally as an abortifacient, emmenagogue, and aphrodisiac " """ . The dried seeds are used as a powerful abort -facient " """". The root is taken orally as a hypotensive medication " """ . 

South Korea. Hot water extract of the dried fruit is taken orally as an abortifacient and emmenagogue° . 

Arabic countries. In Unani medicine, dried plant is taken by fumigation as an abortifacient . 

India. Hot water extract of the grain is taken orally for jaundice h Powdered grain is taken orally for typhoid fever. The grain is kept for a month with birbahuti (cochineal insects) before given . Indonesia. The charred stem is immersed in water, and the liquid is taken orally by pregnant women as an abortifacient " . The stem ash is eaten twice daily as an abortifacient L... 

Jordan. Seed oil is taken orally to induce lactation and as an antitussive Malaysia. Hot water extract of seeds is taken orally as an emmenagogue and in a large dose as an abortifacient . Seed oil is taken orally as an emmenagogue and used by males as a tonic for sexual neurasthenia . 

Nepal. Seed oil smeared around umbilicus and 3-5 mL placed inside the ostium is used as an abortifacient " ". 

Indonesia. Hot water extract of the rhizome is taken orally to aid in childbirth ". As an abortifacient, the rhizome, in combination with cinnamon. Capsicum annuum, a piece of black cane stalk pound with half of an... 

Data from Brazil, where misoprostol has been used orally and vaginally as an abortifacient, have suggested a relation between the use of misoprostol by women in an unsuccessful attempt to terminate pregnancy and Mobius syndrome (congenital facial paralysis) in their infants (33). The frequencies of misoprostol use during the first trimester by mothers of infants in whom Mobius syndrome was diagnosed and mothers of infants with... 

Mothers who used misoprostol during pregnancy as an abortifacient had an increased risk of having a baby with congenital anomalies (OR = 2.4 95% Cl = 1.0, 6.2), as reported in a case-control study in Fortaleza, Brazil (36). Multiple malformations have been described associated with the use of misoprostol (37). 

The antiprogesterone mifepristone, almost exclusively used as an abortifacient, has also been tried as a post-coital contraceptive (11). In one randomized... 

Controversy surrounding the use of mifepristone as an abortifacient has continued, particularly in the USA. Many of the objections raised reflect ethical or religious views, but various papers have stressed the risks involved, such as the fact that in the USA at least two preventable deaths have occurred, as well as other life-threatening complications. It has also been argued that approval of mifepristone as an abortifacient breached the FDA s procedural rules. In 2002 a Citizen Petition to the Congress called for a revocation of the drug s approval (4). 

Secondly, if juniper berries are abortifacient and if the component responsible for this is unknown, then suspicion could naturally fall on the essential oil. Gin has a reputation as an abortifacient, but again juniper oil is very unlikely to be responsible for any such effects, since the average maximum concentration of juniper oil in alcoholic beverages is only 0.006%. 

A report from Hong Kong described a fatal case due to the ingestion of a decoction of more than 200 dried Mylabris beetles as an abortifacient (53). 

The antiprogesterone mifepristone, almost exclusively used as an abortifacient, has also been tried as a post-coital contraceptive (11). In one randomized comparative trial, a single dose of mifepristone 600 mg was at least as effective as the usual hormonal method (12). Women who took mifepristone had lower rates of adverse effects, particularly nausea and vomiting, but their next menstrual period was more likely to be delayed. In another randomized trial, both methods were equally effective (SEDA-16, 466). The use of an estrogen + a progestogen had a higher total incidence... 

The volatile oil of pennyroyal (prepared from Hedeoma pulegoides or Mentha puiegium) is a folk medicine used as an abortifacient. The doses that are required for this effect can cause serious symptoms, including vomiting, seizures, hallucinations, renal damage, hepatotoxicity and shock deaths have also occurred (1,2). 

Pennyroyal has bc cn used as an abortifacient since the time of Pliny the Eldcr. an insect repellent (the tcrpcncs in the oil have citroncllal-likc properties), an aid to induce menstruation, and a treatment for the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. It has also been used as a flea repellent on dogs and cats. 

When used as an abortifacient. the drug often causes liver failure and hemorrhage, leading to death. Pennyroyal is sometimes used with black cohosh to accelerate the abortifacient effect. Coma and death have been reported. Pennyroyal is an example of an herb that has no safe uses. It should not be sold. 

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