What are some side effects of carboprost (Hemabate)?

Since carboprost (Hemabate) causes muscle contractions, it can also stimulate (wake up) the stomach muscles and cause vomiting or diarrhea. Your provider might give you medications before or during Carboprost (Hemabate) treatment to help lower the risk of stomach-related side effects. Carboprost (Hemabate) can also raise your body temperature and might cause a fever during treatment. Additionally, some people who received carboprost (Hemabate) for bleeding after childbirth have experienced a rise in blood pressure, but didn't require any treatment. These side effects are temporary and generally go away when the treatment ends.

Will carboprost (Hemabate) always work for medical abortion?

Medical abortion with carboprost (Hemabate) might not be completely successful in about 20% of cases (1 out of 5 people). Get medical help right away if you experience [symptoms of an incomplete abortion](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559071/#:~:text=An%20incomplete%20abortion%20usually%20presents,buttocks%2C%20genitalia%2C%20and%20perineum.) after receiving carboprost (Hemabate), such as having a lot of vaginal bleeding and lower stomach or pelvic pain. If carboprost (Hemabate) doesn't work, your provider will discuss other options with you.

Are there any risks after my medical abortion procedure with carboprost (Hemabate) that I should know about?

After getting discharged from the hospital, there's a risk of [endometritis](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553124/) (swelling of the lining of the uterus). This can look like a delayed fever typically starting on the third day after receiving carboprost (Hemabate), lower stomach pain, and foul-smelling, vaginal discharge. In addition, there's a risk of having pieces of the placenta left behind and a lot of vaginal bleeding. Discuss with your provider about the possible treatments for these complications.

carboprost

Q: What is carboprost (Hemabate)?

Carboprost (Hemabate) is a medication given as an injection into the muscle to end a pregnancy between the 13th and 20th week of pregnancy. This medication is used when a different [method of abortion](https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/abortion/how-abortions-work) hasn't worked or when there are certain complications involving the uterus (womb) and your body's ability to produce contractions. Carboprost (Hemabate) causes the uterus to contract in a similiar way to labor contractions at the final stage of pregnancy. The uterine contraction also helps stop the bleeding after childbirth, so carboprost (Hemabate) can also be used for this condition when other methods haven't worked.

Q: How many injections of carboprost (Hemabate) will I need?

Carboprost (Hemabate) is given as an injection into the muscle by a healthcare provider. For __medical abortion__, your provider will give you an injection of carboprost (Hemabate) every 1.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on how your uterus responds to the medication. You might need several injections to have the uterine contractions needed to have a successful medical abortion. For __postpartum bleeding__, most people will only need one injection of carboprost (Hemabate), but some might need additional injections every 15 to 90 minutes.

Generic Hemabate

Used for Hemorrhage, Labor Induction

Carboprost (Hemabate) is an injectable medication used between the 13th and 20th week of pregnancy for medical abortion (using prescribed medications to end a pregnancy). It's also used in the mother after giving birth (postpartum) to control any bleeding. Carboprost (Hemabate) is given by a trained healthcare provider at the hospital and only used when certain conditions have been met.

Reviewed by:

Yen Nguyen, PharmD

Allison Gourley, PharmD

Last reviewed on June 15, 2022

What is Carboprost (Hemabate)?

What is Carboprost (Hemabate) used for?

Ending a pregnancy between the 13th and 20th week of pregnancy in certain situations
Controlling bleeding in the mother after giving birth when other methods haven't worked

Drug facts

Common Brands	Hemabate
Drug Class	Prostaglandin
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

Hemabate

Drug Class

Prostaglandin

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Common questions about Carboprost

Carboprost is a medication given as an injection into the muscle to end a pregnancy between the 13th and 20th week of pregnancy. This medication is used when a different method of abortion hasn't worked or when there are certain complications involving the uterus (womb) and your body's ability to produce contractions. Carboprost causes the uterus to contract in a similiar way to labor contractions at the final stage of pregnancy. The uterine contraction also helps stop the bleeding after childbirth, so Carboprost can also be used for this condition when other methods haven't worked.

Since Carboprost causes muscle contractions, it can also stimulate (wake up) the stomach muscles and cause vomiting or diarrhea. Your provider might give you medications before or during Carboprost treatment to help lower the risk of stomach-related side effects. Carboprost can also raise your body temperature and might cause a fever during treatment. Additionally, some people who received Carboprost for bleeding after childbirth have experienced a rise in blood pressure, but didn't require any treatment. These side effects are temporary and generally go away when the treatment ends.

Medical abortion with Carboprost might not be completely successful in about 20% of cases (1 out of 5 people). Get medical help right away if you experience symptoms of an incomplete abortion after receiving Carboprost, such as having a lot of vaginal bleeding and lower stomach or pelvic pain. If Carboprost doesn't work, your provider will discuss other options with you.

Carboprost is given as an injection into the muscle by a healthcare provider. For medical abortion, your provider will give you an injection of Carboprost every 1.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on how your uterus responds to the medication. You might need several injections to have the uterine contractions needed to have a successful medical abortion. For postpartum bleeding, most people will only need one injection of Carboprost, but some might need additional injections every 15 to 90 minutes.

After getting discharged from the hospital, there's a risk of endometritis (swelling of the lining of the uterus). This can look like a delayed fever typically starting on the third day after receiving Carboprost, lower stomach pain, and foul-smelling, vaginal discharge. In addition, there's a risk of having pieces of the placenta left behind and a lot of vaginal bleeding. Discuss with your provider about the possible treatments for these complications.

Carboprost (Hemabate) dosage

Typical dosage for Carboprost (Hemabate)

What are alternatives to Carboprost (Hemabate)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Carboprost (Hemabate). Compare a few possible alternatives below.

Carboprost (Hemabate)

Used for:

Ending a pregnancy between the 13th and 20th week of pregnancy in certain situations
Controlling bleeding in the mother after giving birth when other methods haven't worked

View prices

Methylergonovine (Methergine)

Used for: