Selected Cochrane Systematic Reviews: Oral Misoprostol for Induction of Labour with a Viable Fetus
Authors: Alfirevic Z. , Howarth G. , Gaussmann A. 
Published: March 2003

A substantive amendment to this systematic review was last made on 6 November 1998. Cochrane reviews are regularly checked and updated if necessary.

Background: Misoprostol is a synthetic prostaglandin which has been used to induce labour. Oral use of the drug misoprostol may be convenient, but an overdose could cause uterine hyperstimulation and precipitate labour, which may be life‐threatening for both mother and fetus.

Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of oral misoprostol used for labour induction in women with a viable fetus.

Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register.

Selection criteria: Randomised trials of oral misoprostol vs. any other method, placebo or no treatment given to women with a viable fetus for induction of labour.

Data collection and analysis: The selection of trials and data extraction were undertaken by one reviewer and independently checked by two other reviewers.

Main results: Five trials were included. In one placebo trial, oral misoprostol reduced the need for oxytocin infusion and shortened delivery time in women with prelabor rupture of membranes at term. In another trial, compared to vaginal prostaglandins, oral misoprostol reduced the need for oxytocin (relative risk 0.62, 95% confidence interval 0.47–0.82). Based on two trials, the caesarean section rate with oral misoprostol was 20.2% (55/272) compared with 15.5% (42/270) for vaginal prostaglandins (relative risk 1.29, 95% confidence interval 0.90–1.86). Different doses (100 micrograms three hourly and 200 micrograms six hourly) were used in the two trials that compared oral with vaginal misoprostol. The caesarean section rate was 21.8% in the oral misoprostol group compared with 13.5% for vaginal misoprostol (relative risk 1.62, 95% confidence interval 0.85–3.09). The uterine hyperstimulation rate with oral misoprostol was 37.5% (36/96) compared with 28% (25/89) for vaginal misoprostol (relative risk 1.32, 95% confidence interval 0.86–2.04). There was significant heterogeneity between these two trials.

Reviewers' conclusions: Oral misoprostol may be an effective method for labor induction. However, clinically effective oral regimens may have an unacceptably high incidence of uterine hyperstimulation and possibly uterine rupture.

Citation: Alfirevic Z, Howarth G, Gaussmann A. Oral misoprostol for induction of labor with a viable fetus (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2000. Oxford: Update Software.

The preceding report is an abstract of a regularly updated, systematic review prepared and maintained by the Cochrane Collaboration. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464–79OX).

The Cochrane Library is prepared and published by Update Software Ltd. All rights reserved. See
http://www.update‐software.com
or contact Update Software,
info@-update.co.uk
for information on subscribing to The Cochrane Library in your area.

Update Software, Ltd, Summertown Pavilion, Middle Way, Oxford OX2 7LG, United Kingdom (Tel.: + 44 1865 513902; Fax: + 44 1865 516918).