title: Pharmacotherapy options for labor induction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Induction of labor remains one of the most commonly performed procedures in the US and in other developed countries around the world. Various agents for cervical ripening are used prior to induction; the most commonly used are prostaglandins and oxytocin. The ideal agent is one that decreases time to vaginal delivery without compromising maternal and/or fetal safety.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article reviews the current pharmacologic methods available for induction of labor. Although these agents have been extensively studied and their safety and efficacy profile are well accepted, there is still ongoing research to determine the safest and most effective method. The article discusses the impact of pharmacogenomics as it relates to the most common induction agents. The dosing, route of administration, and side effects of these agents are reviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prostaglandins and oxytocin have been proven to be safe and effective methods of induction. However, the optimal medication for induction is yet to be determined. Although there are currently no pharmacogenomic findings that affect dosing of either prostaglandins or oxytocin, this is a growing area of research. In the near future, it may become clear that there is no 'one regimen for all' when selecting an induction or cervical ripening agent, or any other pharmaceutical altogether.
authors.affiliation: University of California Irvine School of Medicine - Obstetrics & Gynecology , 101 The City Drive Building 56 800, Orange, CA 92868 , USA +1 714 456 5967 ; +1 714 456 8383 ; dwing@uci.edu.
authors.forename: Deborah A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Wing
authors.forename: Lili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sheibani
mesh_terms: D020070:Cervical Ripening / Q000187:drug effects; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics; D016595:Misoprostol; D010121:Oxytocin; D015232:Dinoprostone
keywords: dinoprostone; induction agents; labor; misoprostol; oxytocin; pharmacogenomics; prostaglandins