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Compare Cervidil vs. Misoprostol

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

  • Cervidil (dinoprostone)
    Misoprostol (Cytotec)
  • Cervidil (dinoprostone)
    Misoprostol (Cytotec)

  • Summary of Cervidil vs. Misoprostol

    Summary for Prostaglandin
    Prescription only

    Cervidil (dinoprostone) is a small vaginal insert used during pregnancy to help induce (start) labor. The insert is placed in the vagina by your labor and delivery team in the hospital. It works by slowly releasing medication to soften your cervix, which helps prepare your body to give birth. Common side effects include more frequent or longer contractions.

    Summary for Prostaglandin
    Prescription only

    Misoprostol (Cytotec) is a prescription medication that's FDA approved to lower the risk of stomach ulcers in certain people who take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen. It's also sometimes used off-label for a medical abortion or to induce labor during pregnancy. You usually take it by mouth, and the dose depends on what you’re using it for. Common side effects include diarrhea and stomach pain.

  • Indications of Cervidil vs. Misoprostol

    Indications for
    •Labor induction
    Indications for
    •Reduce the risk of stomach ulcers caused by NSAIDs - FDA-approved
    •Medical abortion - Off-label
    •Labor induction - Off-label

  • Pros and Cons of Cervidil vs. Misoprostol

    Pros and Const for Prostaglandin
    Pros
    •Designed to prepare the cervix for labor in a controlled manner
    •Can speed up labor and delivery by several hours
    •Only inserted once per delivery for it to work
    Cons
    •Must be given at a hospital by the labor and delivery team
    •Can cause a drop in the baby's heart rate
    •Not safe if you’ve had any uterine surgery before, including a C-section
    Pros and Const for Prostaglandin
    Pros
    •FDA approved to lower the risk of stomach ulcers
    •Proven safe and effective when used for medical abortions or labor induction
    •Works within minutes to hours
    Cons
    •Can cause diarrhea and cramping
    •Needs to be taken four times a day with food if used for ulcer prevention
    •Must be taken at specific time intervals if taken for medical abortion

  • Common Side Effects of Cervidil vs. Misoprostol

    Common Side Effects for
    •Very frequent contractions without signs of stress in the baby (2-5%)
    •Signs of stress in the baby without very frequent contractions (3-4%)
    •Very frequent contractions with signs of stress in the baby (3%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Diarrhea (14-40%)
    •Stomach pain (13-20%)

  • Warnings of Cervidil vs. Misoprostol

    Common Side Effects for
    •Blood-clotting problem
    •Amniotic fluid embolism syndrome
    •Frequent or very strong contractions
    •Glaucoma
    Common Side Effects for
    •Harm to unborn baby if used for stomach ulcer prevention

  • Prices with our coupons for Cervidil vs. Misoprostol

    Learn more about Cervidil
    Learn more about Misoprostol

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