- Induction of labour:
- Vaginal pessary: 3mg then 3mg after 6-8 hours, to be given if labour not established
- Max: 6mg per course
- Vaginal pessary: 3mg then 3mg after 6-8 hours, to be given if labour not established
-
- Vaginal gel: 1mg then 1-2 mg after 6hours if required
- Max: 3mg per course
- Vaginal gel: 1mg then 1-2 mg after 6hours if required
- Induction of labour (unfavourable primigravida):
- Adult: 2mg then 1-2mg PRN every 6 hours
- Max: 4mg per course
- Avoid administration into the cervical canal
- Adult: 2mg then 1-2mg PRN every 6 hours
Tablet: 3mg
Gel: 1mg/g
When using gel:
- Use syringe and catheter
- Warm to room temp prior to insertion
- Remain supine for 15-30min
Prostaglandin
PGE2 induces cervical softening, effacement and uterine contractions
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Abdominal cramps
- Uterine contractions
- Headache
- Back pain
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Hot flashes
- Rigors
- Shivering
- Fever
- Cough
- Wheezing
- Dyspnea
- Chest tightness
- Uterine hypertonicity
- Hypersensitivity to class/ components
- If oxytocics are contraindicated
- If vaginal delivery is contraindicated
- Placenta previa
- Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
- Uterine hypertonicity
- Uterine hyperactivity
- Fetal distress without imminent delivery
- Cephalopelvic disproportion
- History of Cesarean section
- History of major uterine surgery
- Cephalopelvic disproportion
- Oxytocin
Drug Status
| Availability | Prescription only |
| Pregnancy | Category C unless indicated |
| Breastfeeding | Unknown; weigh risk vs benefit |
| Schedule | Not controlled |
| BRAND NAME | STRENGTH | FORMULATION | PACK SIZE | MANUFACTURER | DISTRIBUTOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glandin E2 | 3mg | Pessary | 4’s | Nabiqasim Industries | Harley’s Ltd |
| Prostin E2 | 3mg | Pessary | 4’s | Pfizer Labs | Pfizer Labs |