title: A dose-finding study of oral misoprostol for labor augmentation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We designed a dose-finding trial of oral misoprostol administered for labor augmentation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy, nulliparous women in active labor and diagnosed with arrest of dilation were enrolled in cohorts of 10 at a time. Five regimens were studied: (1) 25 μg every 4 hours, (2) 50 μg every 4 hours, (3) 100 μg every 4 hours, (4) 50 μg every 2 hours, and (5) 75 μg every 4 hours.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 46 women were enrolled. Baseline uterine activity approximately doubled with 4 of the regimens and tripled with the highest dosage regimen (100 μg) (P < .001). The 100-μg regimen was truncated due to excessive uterine hyperstimulation (40%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An oral dose of 75 μg of misoprostol given at a 4-hour interval for a maximum of 2 doses is the highest tolerated dose. Randomized, controlled trials will be required before a regimen is employed routinely.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, USA. Kathryn.Villano@gmail.com
authors.forename: Kathryn S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Villano
authors.forename: Julie Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Donald D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: McIntire
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Leveno
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D054796:Drug Dosage Calculations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics; D016595:Misoprostol