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Misoprostol – Drug That Changed the Practice of Gynecology and Obstetrics with Its Off-Label Indications

Dr. Sushil Kumar, Dr. Kalpana Gupta, Dr. Shanmukha Sowmya Jampani

Abstract


Misoprostol is a synthetic analogue of prostaglandin E1. The drug was developed by G. D. Searle & Company in 1973 for prevention of stomach ulcers. Since 1986, it is being used for its ‘off label’ indications in obstetrics and gynecology. [1] The common indications are medical termination of pregnancy (MTP), medical management of incomplete abortion, induction of labor, cervical ripening before surgical procedures and prevention and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage [2]. Since it is inexpensive, heat stable, no drug interactions and wide range of applications in reproductive health, ‘WHO’ in 2011 has added it in the model list of essential medicines. In this article we have reviewed misoprostol its uses and recommendations in modern obstetrics and gynecology.


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References


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