title: Misoprostol for induction of labor with a live fetus.
abstract: Induction of labor is common in clinical practice. Many different medical and mechanical methods have been used, but the current gold standard is vaginal dinoprostone. Misoprostol has been used for the induction of labor since 1987. In early studies with large misoprostol doses (e.g. 200 microg) there were high rates of uterine hyperstimulation. Cochrane meta-analysis, however, shows that when used in low doses it is as effective as vaginal dinoprostone and with no excess of hyperstimulation. 25 microg vaginal misoprostol 4-hourly, 50 microg oral misoprostol 4-hourly or 20 microg oral misoprostol solution 2-hourly are all safe and effective regimens. Reports of uterine rupture in women with previous cesarean sections mean that it remains contraindicated in this group.
authors.affiliation: School of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Women's Hospital, Liverpool, UK. aweeks@liv.ac.uk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weeks
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Alfirevic
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Faúndes
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Hofmeyr
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Safar
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wing
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000284:Administration, Oral; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics; D016595:Misoprostol