Misoprostol administered sublingually at a dose of 12.5 μg versus vaginally at a dose of 25 μg for the induction of full-term labor: a randomized controlled trial

Results of Induction of Labor with Prostaglandins E1 and E2 (The RIPE Study): A Real-World Data Analysis of Obstetrical Effectiveness and Clinical Outcomes of Pharmacological Induction of Labor with Vaginal Inserts

Despite extensive knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for childbirth, the course of labor induction is often unpredictable. Therefore, labor induction protocols using prostaglandin analogs have been developed and tested to assess their effectiveness in labor induction unequivocally. A total of 402 women were collected into two groups-receiving vaginal Misoprostol or vaginal Dinoprostone for induction of labor (IOL). Then, the patients were compared in groups depending on the agent they received and their gestational age. Most patients delivered within 48 h, and most of these patients had vaginal parturition. Patients who received the Dinoprostone vaginal insert required statistically significantly more oxytocin administration than patients who received the Misoprostol vaginal insert. Patients who received the Misoprostol vaginal insert used anesthesia during labor statistically more often. Patients who received Misoprostol vaginal inserts had a statistically significantly shorter time to delivery than those with Dinoprostone vaginal inserts. The prevalence of hyperstimulation was similar in all groups and remained low. Vaginal Misoprostol-based IOL is characterized by a shortened time to delivery irrespective of the parturition type, and a lower need for oxytocin augmentation, but also by an increased demand for intrapartum analgesia administration. A vaginal Dinoprostone-based IOL protocol might be considered a more harmonious and desirable option in modern perinatal care.

Women's preferences and acceptance for different drug delivery routes and products

To use or not to use, that is the first decision to take regarding a drug product. This mandatory step for adherence dictates product efficacy. The determinants for such decision do not only rely on the priority of the therapeutic or preventive strategy, but are related to a complex network of perceptions, preferences, personal and cultural backgrounds, and results from previous experiences. Women's preferences for dosage forms and even for drug delivery routes have been mainly studied in the fields of contraception and HIV prevention (and their related multipurpose approaches). Much less attention has been devoted to other therapeutic or preventive strategies. In a time when patient-centred approaches and shared decisions are increasingly valued, considering women's preferences and their main determinants is essential for product development and selection. Such products will be more likely to be chosen and used as intended, increasing efficacy, and reducing the overall costs related with these treatments. This knowledge shall be integrated in early stages of product development. This article reviews the state of the art related with women's preferences and acceptance for different dosage forms and drug delivery routes involved in women's health. The methodologies used for collecting these data and their major drawbacks are discussed. Results obtained from acceptability studies and the main determinants for selection of preventive and treatment drug products are discussed as tools for new developments in the field.

Labor induction with randomized comparison of cervical, oral and intravaginal misoprostol

Background

This study attempts to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of 50μgm intracervical misoprostol in comparison with intravaginal and sublingual for the induction of labor at term pregnant women.

Methods

This study is designed as a parallel clinical trial study. Three hundred and fifteen term pregnancies requiring induction of labor were treated with the maximum used misoprostol intracervical, sublingual, and vaginal doses. Participants were randomly allocated into three groups of 105. The dose was repeated every 4 h until adequate uterine contraction and Bishop Score were achieved. The duration of induction to births, time to the active phase, the rate of births, and the need for caesarean section were compared in three groups. Additionally, labor course and side effects were recorded and analyzed. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. A significance level of p <  0.05 was considered for statistical analyses.

Findings

Labor was successfully induced in all cases most (63%) of which required a single dose of misoprostol. Ninety-three (93.0%, p <  0.05) cervical participants proceeded to vaginal births. This figure was also the same in the vaginal and sublingual group of 83 cases (83.0%). The other 41 cases received caesarean section with more indications of failure to progress and meconium-stained liquor. The results indicated that 278 (92.7%) births were achieved in less than 10 h. Time from start of medication to the active phase of labor and childbirth was 3.01 ± 0.86 and 6.1 ± 1.3 h in the Cervical group, 4.2 ± 0.66 and 8.4 ± 0.92 h in the sublingual group, and 5.06 ± 1.1 and 9.2 ± 1.5 h in the vaginal group respectively (p < 0.001). The Caesarean rate was lower in the cervical group than in the two other groups (p = 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the study groups in terms of Apgar score and meconium-stained amniotic fluid. Furthermore, no maternal and neonatal complications were observed.

Conclusion

In addition to the sublingual and intravaginal routes of administration, intracervical misoprostol at a single dose of 50μgm appears to be an effective method for induction of labor in women with an unfavorable cervix. Like all medical interventions, a discussion of the risks, benefits, and alternatives to induction of labor with this medication in each woman should be undertaken before treatment.

Trial registration

This clinical study was approved by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with IRCT ID: IRCT20190415043278N1. Registration date was on May 13, 2019 and May 27, 2019 respectively (http://www.irct.ir).