Cytotec (generic name Misoprostol) first hit the market as a prescription drug for the prevention of ulcers. It was supposed to counteract the unfortunate side effects of certain medications for arthritis and pain relief that cause a higher rate of ulcers (I think I’d rather have the arthritis, personally!). The FDA ran trials and approved it for this use only.
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However, it was soon discovered that, given to a pregnant woman, a low dose of Cytotec will successfully start labor contractions at a fraction of the cost of pitocin. So, doctors began giving the drug “off-label” to millions of women.
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So, what’s the big deal? you may ask. It works, doesn’t it? Well, I’ll tell you what the big deal is.
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Cytotec kills women and babies.
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That’s a pretty big deal, right?
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I’ll say it again: using Cytotec for induction can kill or seriously injure both the mother and baby.
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One unfortunate side effect of misoprostol is that it can cause uterine rupture, which is life-threatening because the uterus detaches from the mother’s body. It causes severe bleeding, fetal distress, and the baby or placenta can be delivered into the mother’s abdominal cavity, rather than through the birth canal. Mothers who experience uterine rupture need an immediate cesarean to get the baby out and to repair or remove the uterus. The mortality rate for women who have a uterine rupture is extremely high, and their babies either die or are left seriously disabled.
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The deaths of healthy mothers and babies should be enough to keep doctors from giving the pill to anyone. However, it gets worse. The most shocking part of the use of Cytotec in this way is that the manufacturing company, Pfizer, clearly labels each bottle with a warning against using the drug on pregnant women. When doctors ignored it, they sent out an extra warning to all healthcare practitioners involved in prenatal care and childbirth:
The purpose of this letter is to remind you that Cytotec administration by any route is contraindicated in women who are pregnant because it can cause abortion…
Serious adverse events reported following off-label use of Cytotec in pregnant women include maternal or fetal death; uterine hyperstimulation, rupture or perforation requiring uterine surgical repair, hysterectomy, or salpingo-oophorectomy; amniotic fluid embolism; severe vaginal bleeding, retained placenta, shock, fetal bradycardia and pelvic pain.
(This excerpt was taken from the actual letter. If I knew how I would scan the whole letter and add it to the post, but I’m not quite that technologically adept yet).
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With all the reasons not to give Cytotec to any pregnant woman, you would think that no doctor would ever do so. And yet, even with the warnings and evidence of danger, women are still given this drug to induce labor and the fatalities continue.
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The biggest question is, of course, why?! If it causes so much damage, why on earth would doctors continue to prescribe it? There are only two reasons I can think of that Cytotec would be given for induction rather than pitocin: money and convenience. Cytotec is much cheaper than pitocin to induce labor, and it is also extremely easy to use: just pop a pill early in the morning, and the baby is out by evening. Or dead by evening.
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To all mothers-to-be, please, please do not allow anyone to give you Cytotec! Remember, it is also called misoprostol. If you choose to be medically induced for any reason, make sure you are given pitocin via IV rather than a pill that is either taken orally or placed in the vaginal opening. It is not worth the risk to you or your baby.
Natural Birth Blog 
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Thanks for the kind comment, Darrell! I wouldn’t say that I’m an expert, but I do love research and learning!
I was given Cytotec for induction and was completely dedicated to an unmediated birth plan. I was induced at 37 wks for borderline preeclampsia. After 24 hours of no progression, the dose was doubled and within 15 min I went from mild cramping to doubled over w intense contractions every 1-2 minutes which i was coping with using a bath and meditation/deep relaxation. Then they broke my water when I was 3 cm dilated and i was no longer able to cope. Prior to pushing I asked to turn off the epidural and pushing was nothing compared to the intense contractions this caused. I truly believe that I could have coped w any contractions that came naturally but between the intensity and frequency it broke my resolve. Ask for anything other than this drug. Demand anything other than this drug for induction.
Thank you for sharing your experience! That sounds brutal. You’re so right; induced contractions are so painful compared to normal ones! I’m so glad you and your baby are okay, though!
Thank you for posting this. I have never heard about this issue before. Its alarming, especially since I did a quick google search on Cytotec and all the relevant pages are about using the pills as an alternative to surgical abortions and D&C’s after a miscarriage. I will definitely be doing some research on this.
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Your mode of explaining the whole thing in this piece
of writing is really pleasant, all be capable of without difficulty be
aware of it, Thanks a lot.
I wasn’t given informed consent about the dangers of this drug before it was given to me at the hospital two years ago with my first. I am very angry about it and I’m going to be confronting the hospital soon.
You can’t just give a patient a drug not approved by the FDA and not inform the patient about that minor detail. It’s not like I had time to go research what “miso” was as I’m sitting in my hospital gown ready to be induced for labor with an IV in my arm. I trusted my doctor to tell me what I needed to know.
My contractions lasted for four and a half hours and they were completely on top of each other. My uterus was definitely hyper stimulated. To think that could have lead to death to either myself or my baby is terrifying.
Seriously angry about this.
I am so sorry that happened to you! It makes me so angry and sad to hear women say they were given that drug with no explanation of the risks associated. Your anger is well justified. I completely agree; it is unethical to give out unapproved drugs like that without informed consent. Especially when there are far safer options readily available. I am so glad that you and your baby are okay!
Having dealt with hospitals before, confronting the hospital or doctor is a good first step, but don’t be too discouraged if your confrontation doesn’t produce much change. Most doctors don’t like to be told they are wrong. If it isn’t well-received, contacting your state’s department of health is another option. Don’t give up! If enough women protest the way they are treated during childbirth, then change will eventually happen.
Thank you for reading! I wish you well in your parenting and in any more pregnancies you may have. 🙂
Modvigil online
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Im confused by this! So your saying the only outcome is death or disabled?
So your saying my son is disabled?
They gave me 2 misos with a 4hr gap between. And my everything went great and no issues at all. My son didnt even have to go to nicu and he never left my room! I was 41wks pregnant. Induction to birth was 18hrs and only 30mins of pushing and that was it. Im fine hes fine and hes almost a year old now.
No, that is not what I said. I said Cytotec increases the risk of uterine rupture because it causes contractions with no break. It is also NOT approved by the manufacturer for use during pregnancy or labor. A safer way is pitocin because you can stop if the baby starts going into distress. If a woman experiences a uterine rupture during labor, there is a very high chance that the baby will be severely harmed. I’m glad your little boy was born healthily! Congrats. 🙂