Medical treatment of ectopic pregnancy: a committee opinion

Fertil Steril. 2013 Sep;100(3):638-44. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.06.013. Epub 2013 Jul 10.

Abstract

Methotrexate, a folic acid antagonist, is an effective treatment for early unruptured ectopic pregnancy. Several treatment regimens are available. Methotrexate is more effective when used to treat ectopic pregnancies with lower human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. However, there is no consensus on a threshold value that best predicts success or failure. Methotrexate can be used to treat ectopic pregnancies that occur in cornual, cervical, and cesarean scar locations, and it does not adversely affect ovarian reserve or subsequent fertility. This document replaces the previous document of the same name, last published in 2008 (Fertil Steril 2008;90:S206-12).

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline

MeSH terms

  • Abortifacient Agents / administration & dosage
  • Abortifacient Agents / economics
  • Abortifacient Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Abortion, Induced / economics
  • Abortion, Induced / methods
  • Abortion, Induced / statistics & numerical data
  • Costs and Cost Analysis
  • Female
  • Folic Acid Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Folic Acid Antagonists / economics
  • Folic Acid Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Methotrexate / economics
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / etiology
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Abortifacient Agents
  • Folic Acid Antagonists
  • Methotrexate