[Induction of labour at term with misoprostol: an effective, safe and inexpensive alternative]

Misoprostol is a prostaglandin E1 analogue marketed for use in the prevention of peptic ulcer disease. It is inexpensive and has few side-effects. Although not registered misoprostol has been widely used for obstetric and gynaecologic indications, such as induction of labour at term. In our clinic misoprostol has been use since April 15, 2003. The data of 70 women, who had been treated with misoprostol for induction of labour at term form April 15 to August 15, 2003, were analysed retrospectively and compared with the data of those women treated with dinoprostin in the same period 2002. The time to active labour was longer with dinoprostin compared to misoprostol (19.2 h vs. 15.5 h). Parity did not influence the time to active labour. The rate of cesarean sections was lower with misoprostol (17.2 vs. 25.8 %). The induction of labour with Misoprostol caused costs of 58.80 euro. If dinoprostin had been used, it would have cost 4 368.00 euro. Although not registered, misoprostol is a safe, effective and inexpensive alternative for induction of labour with few side-effects. However, patients accept the off-label use.