Misoprostol for the Treatment of Postpartum Hemorrhage: Findings from Clinical Research Trials

This research summary describes the results of a series of clinical trials conducted by Gynuity and international colleagues on the use of misoprostol for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage. The findings show: * Sublingual misoprostol (800 mcg) is a safe, effective and acceptable alternative first-line treatment for PPH due to uterine atony. * Misoprostol is easy to administer and may be particularly useful in settings where administration of IV oxytocin is not possible, particularly at lower levels of the health care system. * Simultaneous administration of misoprostol (600 mcg) to conventional uterotonics for PPH treatment confers no clinical advantage. Results of two of the trials described in this summary were published in The Lancet, Volume 375, Issue 9710, Pages 210 - 216, and Volume 375, Issue 9710, Pages 217 - 223.