Misoprostol

Misoprostol is a medicine used for medical abortion (terminating a pregnancy). It is also used for preventing excessive bleeding after delivery. This medicine acts on the uterus and increases its contraction.

Misoprostol is given alone or in combination with some other medicine to attain the maximum benefit. It should be taken with food or as your doctor's advice. It should be taken orally, by swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. If you experience vomiting within 30 minutes of tablet intake, inform your doctor or take another tablet. The medicine may take 24 hours to show its action and you experience bleeding.

Common side effects of this medicine include infection following abortion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, uterine contractions or cramping, uterine bleeding, heavy bleeding, and fetal malformations. If these bother you or appear serious, let your doctor know. There may be ways of reducing or preventing them. Usually, vaginal bleeding may last for 12 days, inform your doctor if it lasts for more than 12 days or you notice severe abdominal pain.

Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have ever had an ectopic pregnancy, or you are breastfeeding or using an intrauterine device. Your doctor should also know about all other medicines you are taking as many of these may make this medicine less effective or change the way it works. You must avoid strenuous activity like heavy exercise, running, and driving while abortion as it can affect the bleeding. Your doctor may perform an ultrasound or pelvic examination to check for abortion completion.

• Medical abortion
• Treatment of Post-delivery bleeding

Medical abortion
Misoprostol is used to cause an abortion during the early part of pregnancy. It is used up to week 10 of pregnancy (up to 70 days after the first day of your last menstrual period). This medicine effectively blocks the natural female hormone, called progesterone, that is needed for your pregnancy to continue. Please use it only as advised by the doctor.

Misoprostol is used to cause an abortion during the early part of pregnancy. It is used up to week 10 of pregnancy (up to 70 days after the first day of your last menstrual period). This medicine effectively blocks the natural female hormone, called progesterone, that is needed for your pregnancy to continue. Please use it only as advised by the doctor.

Treatment of Post-delivery bleeding
Misoprostol helps to control excessive bleeding after giving birth. This helps to prevent severe loss of blood that can lead to dropping of blood pressure, shock and even death if not controlled in time. It helps proper contraction of the uterus and therefore prevents hemorrhage and further complications.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Meprostol

• Cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramp
• Uterine contractions
• Uterine cramps
• Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding)
• Infection following abortion

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Misoprostol is to be taken with food.

Misoprostol increases contractions of the uterus to cause abortion. It can also prevent post-delivery bleeding due to poor contraction of the uterus.

• Misoprostol helps terminate pregnancy when used along with another medicine called mifepristone.

• It may also be used to prevent excessive bleeding after delivery.

• For pregnancy termination:

  • Take it no later than 63 days after the first day of your last menstrual period.
  • Take it 36 – 48 hours after taking mifepristone.
  • Rest for at least 3 hours after taking the medicine.
  • If you vomit within 30 minutes of taking the tablet, talk to your doctor immediately, as you may need to take another tablet.
  • Take it only as prescribed by the doctor. Miscarriages, if incomplete, may result in serious medical complications leading to hospitalization, surgery and possible infertility.
  • Vaginal bleeding lasting for approximately 12 days may occur after taking this medicine. Inform your doctor immediately if excessive bleeding occurs or if you suffer from severe abdominal pain.

• Use caution while driving or doing anything that requires concentration as it can cause dizziness and sleepiness.

• It does not affect fertility. Use contraception to avoid pregnancy.

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Smyth EM, FitzGerald GA. The Eicosanoids: Prostaglandins, Tromboxanes, Leukotriens, & Related Compounds. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 315.

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 927-31.

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