Cervidil vs. Misoprostol for Labor Induction: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Cervidil

(dinoprostone)

Misoprostol

(Cytotec)

Summary for Cervidil

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.

Indications for Cervidil

Labor induction

Pros and Cons for Cervidil

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

Common Side Effects for Cervidil

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%)

Warnings for Cervidil

Blood-clotting problem
Amniotic fluid embolism syndrome
Frequent or very strong contractions
Glaucoma

Summary for Misoprostol

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 for Misoprostol

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

Pros and Cons for Misoprostol

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 for Misoprostol

Diarrhea (14-40%)
Stomach pain (13-20%)

Warnings for Misoprostol

Harm to unborn baby if used for stomach ulcer prevention

Prices with our coupons for Cervidil vs. Misoprostol

Cervidil1 insert / 10mg

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Misoprostol2 tablets / 200mcg

$6.65$9.72

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Cervidil vs. Misoprostol

Cervidil

Misoprostol

Summary for Cervidil

Indications for Cervidil

Pros and Cons for Cervidil

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Cervidil

Warnings for Cervidil

Summary for Misoprostol

Indications for Misoprostol

Pros and Cons for Misoprostol

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Misoprostol

Warnings for Misoprostol

Prices with our coupons for Cervidil vs. Misoprostol

Browse medications by letter

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Cervidil

Misoprostol

Summary for Cervidil

Indications for Cervidil

Pros and Cons for Cervidil

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Cervidil

Warnings for Cervidil

Summary for Misoprostol

Indications for Misoprostol

Pros and Cons for Misoprostol

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Misoprostol

Warnings for Misoprostol