Misoprostol use in obstetrics

Key points

• Misoprostol is a prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) analogue that has been on the World Health Organization (WHO) List of Essential Medicines since 2005.

• Brazil has one of the most restrictive regulations in the world related to the use of misoprostol establishing it is exclusively for hospital use with special control, and sale, purchase and advertising prohibited by law.

• Misoprostol is currently the reference drug for pharmacological treatment in cases of induced abortion, both in the first trimester of pregnancy and at more advanced gestational ages.

• Misoprostol is an effective medication for cervical ripening and labor induction.

• Misoprostol is an essential drug for the management of postpartum hemorrhage.

The National Specialized Commissions on Childbirth, Puerperium and Abortion Care, Antenatal Care, Gestational Trophoblastic Disease, High-Risk Pregnancy, Fetal Medicine, Maternal Mortality, Obstetric Emergencies, Sexual Violence and Pregnancy Interruption Provided for by Law and Professional Defense and Appreciation of the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations (FEBRASGO) endorses this document. Content production is based on scientific evidence on the proposed theme and the results presented contribute to clinical practice.

Publication History

Article published online:
21 July 2023

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