Overdosage of misoprostol in pregnancy

We report the clinical course of a woman 31 weeks pregnant who ingested misoprostol (a prostaglandin E1 analog, Cytotek, used to prevent gastric ulcer) and trifluoperazine (Stelazine). Manifestations of toxicity included hypertonic uterine contraction with fetal death, hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis, hypoxemia, respiratory alkalosis, and metabolic acidosis. We are concerned that misoprostol may be used as an llicit abortifacient.