anyone know about the cytotec? and what's that all about?

Answer 1

DO NOT consent to being induced with cytotec! This is a dangerous, off label use of the drug. It is NOT INTENDED to be used for induction of labor. There is a serious risk of uterine rupture with this drug. Read the links below for more information about why you don't want to ever allow a doctor to use this to induce you.

Answer 2

Cytotec is licenced for use to treat ulcers.

However doctors use it to induce labour even though it has been proven to be dangerous and the FDA continues to warn them not to. However it is cheap and easier than other methods and it is all about profit.

Answer 3

Misoprostol is a drug that is Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for the treatment and prevention of stomach ulcers. It is also used to induce labor and as an abortifacient. It is marketed by G.D. Searle & Company under the trade name Cytotec, but generic versions are available as well.

Chemically, misoprostol is a synthetic prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) analogue.

Misoprostol stimulates increased secretion of the protective mucus that lines the gastrointestinal tract and increases mucosal blood flow, thereby increasing mucosal integrity. It is sometimes co-prescribed with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent their common adverse effect of gastric ulceration (e.g. with Diclofenac in Arthrotec).


[edit] Side effects and contraindications
The most common adverse effects of misoprostol include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, chills, shivering, sweating, and fever that can last as long as 3 weeks. Because of its abortifacient properties, it should not be taken by pregnant women.


[edit] Off label uses

[edit] Obstetric and gynecological

[edit] Labor Induction
Misoprostol is commonly prescribed off-label to cause birth induction by uterine contractions and the ripening (opening) of the cervix. Misoprostol is highly effective and much less expensive than pitocin and cervidil, the FDA-approved drugs for medically necessary labor induction. Trial meta-analysis by the Cochrane Collaboration demonstrates no difference in efficacy or side effects between inductions undertaken with cervidil or misoprostol (when used at the correct dosage).

Concern has been expressed about the overuse / misuse of misoprostol for labor induction. High doses can cause uterine rupture (especially in women who have previously had a caesarean section), fetal death and severe fetal brain damage [1] All induction agents cause uterine contractions - this can affect the blood supply to the fetus, especially if contractions become very frequent. Induction agents therefore need to be used with great care and with close fetal monitoring. One of the problems with induction using prostaglandins (either cervidil or misoprostol) is that once given, the process is difficult to reverse. In contrast, Pitocin (oxytocin - a hormone that also causes contractions) has a half-life of about 10 minutes and is administered via intravenous drip, which can be stopped immediately in the event of adverse reaction. [2] A clinical trial is currently underway to establish a controlled delivery method for misoprostol.[3]

Speeding delivery can be medically necessary when the mother is overdue or at risk because of high blood pressure or diabetes, but critics charge that doctors often rely on induction for "convenience" using drugs to induce labor during office hours rather than letting nature take its course.[4]

The manufacturers of misoprostol have never sought to license misoprostol for labor induction. Recently, however, generic forms of misprostol have become available, and it is now licensed for labor induction in Egypt and Brazil, and a licensed induction product is expected in the UK in 2008.[5] [6]

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advocates misoprostol for labor inductions, and it is on the WHO essential drug list for labour induction.[7]Other agencies await more evidence as to its safety, including obstetric organizations in Britain, Canada and Scandinavia.[8]


[edit] Abortion
Misoprostol is one of the drugs used for medical abortions. In many countries it is used in conjunction with mifepristone (RU-486). After mifepristone is taken orally, misoprostol is taken 24-72 hours later causing the expulsion of the fetus and associated matter in approximately 92% of the cases. No large studies have established a protocol for the use of misoprostol alone,[9] and the range of efficacy is 65%-93% depending on sample size, gestational age, and other test variables;[10] Misoprostol alone may be more effective in earlier gestation.[11] The side effects associated with the misoprostol-only regimen are generally much more severe than those associated with the combined regimens. Misoprostol is used for self-induced abortions in Brazil, where black market prices exceed US $100. per dose. Illegal medically-unsupervised misoprostol abortions in Brazil are associated with a lower complication rate than other forms of illegal self-induced abortion, but are still associated with a higher complication rate than legal, medically supervised surgical and chemical abortions. Failed misoprostol abortions are associated with birth defects in some cases. [12] [13][14] [15] [16] Poor immigrant populations in New York have also been observed to use self-administered misoprostol to induce abortions, as this method is much cheaper than a surgical abortion (about $2 per dose).[17]

Misoprostol is sometimes used to treat early fetal death in the absence of spontaneous miscarriage, but further research is needed to establish a a safe, effective protocol. [18] It can also be used to dilate the cervix in preparation for a surgical abortion. Misoprostol is also used to prevent and treat post-partum hemorrhage, but it has more side effects and is less effective than oxytocin for this purpose. [19]

Answer 4

momma2mingbu's said it all.