Multiple-dose and double-dose versus single-dose administration of methotrexate for the treatment of ectopic pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the effectiveness and safety among different dosage of methotrexate protocols for the treatment of unruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy was evaluated. Six studies of randomized contorlled trials were identified through searches conducted on PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library between January 1974 and March 2016. The overall success rate of multiple-dose protocol was similar to the single-dose protocol (RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.17, I2 = 0%). The difference between double-dose and single-dose groups was not significant (RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.98 and 1.20, I2 = 0%). The incidence of side-effects of double-dose regimen was similar with single-dose regimen. Side-effects, however, are more common in multiple-dose regimen (RR 1.64, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.34, P = 0.006, I2 = 0%). This meta-analysis indicated that the incidence of side-effects of multiple-dose protocol was significantly higher than single-dose protocol, and the success rates between them were similar. The double-dose regimen was an efficient and safe alternative to the single-dose protocol. Further high-quality researches are needed to confirm our findings and to develop the optimal protocol.