Comparison of the efficacy and safety of sublingual misoprostol with that of vaginal misoprostol for labour induction at term

Abstract

Objective

To compare the efficacy and safety of 50 mcg of sublingual misoprostol with 25 mcg of vaginal misoprostol for induction of labour at term.

Method

Non blinded randomized prospective control study. 200 women with singleton term pregnancy, admitted for induction of labour, were randomized to receive either 25 mcg of vaginal misoprostol or 50 mcg of sublingual misoprostol. Outcome measures compared were the number of vaginal deliveries, induction-delivery interval, caesarean section for foetal distress, oxytocin for acceleration, number of doses required, side effects and neonatal outcome.

Result

Mean dose was smaller and induction to delivery interval was significantly shorter in the sublingual group (13.1 ± 4.1 h) compared with the vaginal group (17.9 ± 5.4 h), p value 0.001. There were no statistically significant differences in the other secondary outcome measures.

Conclusion

50 mcg of sublingual misoprostol was more effective than and as safe as 25 mcg vaginal misoprostol for labour induction at term.

Keywords::

• Induction of labour
• misoprostol
• sublingual
• vaginal

Declaration of interest: The authors report no declarations of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.