Dinoprostone by vaginal route is given to induce labor in pregnant women. It is a prostaglandin medicine that promotes dilatation of the cervix and also increases uterine contractions.
Only a doctor or other trained health personnel under the direct supervision of a doctor can administer this medicine.
Your doctor may also prescribe this medicine for other purposes, including:
- Postpartum hemorrhage: Excessive blood loss following childbirth
It is available as:
- Tampon
- Suppository
- Gel/Jelly
- Extended release insert
Before using any medication, remember that benefits of using the medication should outweigh the potential risks. Together with your doctor, you can decide whether the medication will do you more goods than the harms. Here are some factors to be considered before deciding to use this medicine:
Allergies
Inform your doctor about the allergies you have, such as to this medication, other medications, or to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Pregnancy
It falls under pregnancy category C for all trimesters. Use when potential benefits clearly outweigh the risks.
Breastfeeding
Use only after assessing the risks and benefits.
Drug Interactions
Taking two medicines together can be harmful due to possible interactions. In other cases, even if there is a possible interaction between two medicines your doctor may advise you to take them together after adjusting the dose or issuing precautions. Inform your doctor about your intake of any other prescription or nonprescription medicine.
Other Interactions
Taking your medicine together with certain foods or items such as alcohol or tobacco may cause undesirable interactions. Talk to your doctor to know if using this medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco is safe.
Medical Problems
Inform your doctor if you have any other health condition, including:
- Current or past anemia
- History of asthma or other lung problems: Symptoms of lung problems may be exacerbated by dinoprostone.
- Current or past epileptic seizures
- Glaucoma
- Blood pressure abnormalities in the past
- Diseases affecting the heart or blood vessel
- Kidney or liver problems
- Abnormal previous delivery
- Uterine surgery in the past
- Abnormal vaginal blood loss
A bed rest of 10 minutes to 2 hours is recommended after the administration of dinoprostone.
Dosing: For best results, follow your doctor to know what amount of medicine you should take in a single dose. The doses of a medicine can differ according to the conditions for which it is being prescribed, your age and your overall health status. Remember your doses can differ.
Consult your doctor if you have anything to ask.
1. Gel
To induce dilatation of the cervix just prior to or at the time of delivery
- Adults and teenagers: After your doctor places 0.5 milligram (mg) of dinoprostone into the cervical canal, take a bed rest for 10 to 30 minutes.
To induce uterine contractions
- Adults and teenagers: After your doctor places 1 mg of dinoprostone into the vagina, take a minimum of 30 minutes bed rest. 6 hours later, a next dose containing 1 to 2 mg of the medicine may be administered if the first dose fails to produce expected results.
2. Vaginal suppositories
To induce uterine contractions for abortion
- Adults and teenagers: 20 mg of dinoprostone is placed into the vagina. Depending upon the condition, the doses are repeated every 3 to 5 hours as required. Take a minimum of 10 minutes bed rest after each application.
3. Vaginal insert
To induce dilatation of the cervix just prior to or at the time of delivery
- Adults and teenagers: After your doctor places 10 mg of dinoprostone into the vagina, take a minimum of 2 hours bed rest.
Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of these rare but very serious side effects:
Seek immediate medical help if you develop any of the symptoms indicating a serious allergic reaction, such as:
- Breathing problems
- Itchy or swollen face, tongue, or throat
- Rash
- Severe dizziness
The side effects of the medicine are not limited to the ones listed above.
Call your doctor immediately if you experience any side effects that are uncommon or worry you.
To report side effects to the FDA, contact at 1-800-FDA-1088.
