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Misoprostol (Misoprostol) - Summary

 
 



WARNING

MISOPROSTOL ADMINISTRATION TO WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT CAN CAUSE ABORTION, PREMATURE BIRTH, OR BIRTH DEFECTS. UTERINE RUPTURE HAS BEEN REPORTED WHEN MISOPROSTOL TABLETS WERE ADMINISTERED IN PREGNANT WOMEN TO INDUCE LABOR OR TO INDUCE ABORTION BEYOND THE EIGHTH WEEK OF PREGNANCY (see also PRECAUTIONS and LABOR AND DELIVERY). MISOPROSTOL TABLETS SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN BY PREGNANT WOMEN TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ULCERS INDUCED BY NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDs) (see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS, and PRECAUTIONS).

PATIENTS MUST BE ADVISED OF THE ABORTIFACIENT PROPERTY AND WARNED NOT TO GIVE THE DRUG TO OTHERS.

Misoprostol Tablets should not be used for reducing the risk of NSAID-induced ulcers in women of childbearing potential unless the patient is at high risk of complications from gastric ulcers associated with use of the NSAID, or is at high risk of developing gastric ulceration. In such patients, Misoprostol Tablets may be prescribed if the patient

  • has had a negative serum pregnancy test within 2 weeks prior to beginning therapy.
  • is capable of complying with effective contraceptive measures.
  • has received both oral and written warnings of the hazards of misoprostol, the risk of possible contraception failure, and the danger to other women of childbearing potential should the drug be taken by mistake.
  • will begin Misoprostol Tablets only on the second or third day of the next normal menstrual period.
 

MISOPROSTOL SUMMARY

Misoprostol oral tablets contain either 100 mcg or 200 mcg of misoprostol, a synthetic prostaglandin E1 analog. Misoprostol contains approximately equal amounts of the two diastereomers presented below with their enantiomers indicated by (±).

Misoprostol is indicated for reducing the risk of NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin)–induced gastric ulcers in patients at high risk of complications from gastric ulcer, e.g., the elderly and patients with concomitant debilitating disease, as well as patients at high risk of developing gastric ulceration, such as patients with a history of ulcer. Misoprostol Tablet has not been shown to reduce the risk of duodenal ulcers in patients taking NSAIDs. Misoprostol Tablets should be taken for the duration of NSAID therapy. Misoprostol Tablets has been shown to reduce the risk of gastric ulcers in controlled studies of 3 months’ duration. It had no effect, compared to placebo, on gastrointestinal pain or discomfort associated with NSAID use.


See all Misoprostol indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Misoprostol

Safety and efficacy of misoprostol versus oxytocin for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage. [2014]
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the commonest cause of maternal death worldwide. Studies suggest that the use of misoprostol may be beneficial in clinical settings where oxytocin is unavailable... Results from this study indicate that it may be considered as an alternative for oxytocin in low resource clinical settings.

A trial comparing the use of rectal misoprostol plus perivascular vasopressin with perivascular vasopressin alone to decrease myometrial bleeding at the time of abdominal myomectomy. [2013]
OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of rectal misoprostol plus perivascular vasopressin with perivascular vasopressin alone as hemostatic agents for the reduction of blood loss during myomectomies... CONCLUSION(S): We conclude that perivascular vasopressin plus misoprostol caused a significant reduction in blood loss compared with perivascular vasopressin alone.

Misoprostol vaginal insert and time to vaginal delivery: a randomized controlled trial. [2013]
vaginal delivery... CONCLUSION: Use of a 200-microgram misoprostol vaginal inset significantly

Cervical priming before diagnostic operative hysteroscopy in infertile women: a randomized, double-blind, controlled comparison of 2 vaginal misoprostol doses. [2013]
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of vaginal misoprostol for cervical priming at doses of 200 mcg and 400 mcg, 12 to 15 hours before diagnostic office hysteroscopy (OH) without anesthesia in patients with infertility. Sixty infertile patients requiring a diagnostic office hysteroscopy for investigation of infertility were included in the study...

Sublingual versus vaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening before hysteroscopy: a randomized clinical trial. [2013]
vaginal) for cervical ripening before hysteroscopy... CONCLUSION: Sublingual route of misoprostol could be considered as an effective

more studies >>

Clinical Trials Related to Misoprostol

Misoprostol Administration Before Operative Hysteroscopy [Completed]
The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of oral, sublingual, vaginal, and no misoprostol prior to operative hysteroscopy in premenopausal women.

Misoprostol for Cervical Priming Prior to Vacuum Aspiration [Completed]
Despite of the widespread use, and extensive studies, the optimal route of administration of misoprostol before surgical abortion remains to be defined. Following administration of 400 mcg vaginally as per clinical guidelines, the time for optimal priming seems to be 3 hours, but the longer the interval the greater the risk or bleeding and expulsion of the uterine contents before the surgical evacuation. Sublingual administration seems to give adequate plasma concentration and cervical priming faster than oral or vaginal administration. This may allow a shorter waiting time with maintained efficacy, less side effects and logistic advantages.

Comparitive Study of Two Misoprostol Regimen in Early Pregnancy Termination [Completed]
The aim of this study is to compare two misoprostol regimen in pregnancy termination.

Mifepristone Versus Misoprostol for Cervical Preparation Prior to Surgical Abortion Between 11 to 15 Weeks [Recruiting]
Surgical abortion in the late first trimester and early second trimester is usually performed with the aid of a cervical preparing agent, which helps to open up the uterine cervix for the procedure. Routine use of cervical preparants is recommended by several organizations during this period of pregnancy before surgical abortion, especially in younger women or those who have not delivered a baby, because their cervices may be more difficult to dilate without a preparant. The standard medication used for cervical preparation is misoprostol. Unfortunately, misoprostol may cause uncomfortable uterine cramping and vaginal bleeding in patients who use it. Another medication called mifepristone has been shown to dilate the cervix better than misoprostol in the first trimester, but little information exists about using mifepristone in the late first trimester and early second trimester. The investigators plan to perform a prospective, double-blind, randomized trial to evaluate if mifepristone is a better cervical preparant than misoprostol. A total of 110 participants who are pregnant women desiring pregnancy termination 11 to 15 weeks gestational age will be recruited. Half will receive mifepristone and the other half misoprostol. The investigators will measure the amount of cervical dilation achieved right before a surgical abortion to determine if mifepristone is significantly different than misoprostol as a cervical preparant at this stage of pregnancy. The investigators expect that mifepristone will work better than misoprostol for this purpose. The investigators hope to generate information about mifepristone so that women and their health care providers can know more about mifepristone as an option for cervical preparation before surgical abortion.

Mifepristone Plus Misoprostol Versus Misoprostol Alone for 2nd Trimester Abortion (14 - 21 Weeks Last Menstrual Period (LMP)) [Completed]
The primary goal of this study is to determine the clinical advantage of pre-treatment with mifepristone in second trimester misoprostol induction abortion. This will be a randomized controlled double-blinded trial of 120 women in each country comparing misoprostol alone to mifepristone plus misoprostol for second trimester (14-21 weeks' LMP) medical abortion.

more trials >>

Reports of Suspected Misoprostol Side Effects

Haemorrhage (176)Abortion Incomplete (174)Anaemia (62)Muscle Spasms (44)Pain (41)Pregnancy (41)Menorrhagia (28)Dizziness (24)Vomiting (21)Syncope (18)more >>


Page last updated: 2014-11-30

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