anyone induced with cytotec?

BreckBride09

I just had my 40w3d appt and my doc mentioned induction using Cytotec -- I just did some research on it and it is only approved by the FDA to treat gastric ulcers and is never, ever recommended for induction. Has anyone else been induced with this drug? I'm about 99% positive she said Cytotec and not Cervadil, but I could be wrong.

E&RMommy

ACOG supports its use for induction of labor despite that the FDA does not.  Discuss with your doctor the risks/benefits.   Good luck!

mcadams1

I will be tonight! Let me just tell you this- the stuff online is by and large really bad info and highly dated. I had a labor fail the other night and really drilled the nurses about it b/c it just sounds terrible from what you read. However, IV fluids and a certain medicine can be used to counteract it if it causes too strong of contractions. And its only people who have clotting issues (meaning those who clot more naturally) that it would be bad for.  Women are actually given it during labor and post partum for bleeds routinely. My nurses told me that cytotec is usually used to start with, then they switch to pitocin because its not strong enough usually to get you through labor. Now, its not perfect and there are risks but the things I mentioned were what were worrying me so I wanted to pass that along. I really suggest you talk to your ob about the risks etc. and what makes them prefer cytotec. I'm sure I'll be the only one with anything remotely positive to say about it, but I do know there are risks. I just trust my ob and nurses and so that's who I say you should ask.

BrittH05

I will be tomorrow! I did a lot of research and talked to a lot of people about it.  It is always easier to find negative stuff then the good.  There are many drugs that are not approved by the FDA for uses that the end up using them for. A lot of that is the time and money it cost to get FDA approval.  After talking to many people and my Dr I feel really good about the induction with cytotec 1st.  It puts many weman straight into labor, as well as if monitored and given in the right doses very safe.  Good luck to us all!!!

BreckBride09

Thank you for posting all that info -- I feel much better! I FREAKED when I read the lawsuits and it being called "Cytobomb" on the internet. I am praying I don't make it to induction but if I do, I will be sure and drill them about it before using it! Thanks again!

jkelly41

With DS, I was induced with a dose of cytotec, then pitocin.  Neither I nor my son had any issues with it.  I had him in just under 12 hours!

 Good luck!!

WinesNotWhines

It's not just that Cytotec isn't recommended/indicated for induction. There is actually a black box warning on the label that says it should NOT be used for induction. Personally, I would not consent to it. I've talked to my doctor about it, and he said he's fine with my decision. I also talked to my doula about it and she agreed with me 100% and said it was good that I was informed. I'm sure it works fine most of the time, but do you want to be in that small percentage who ends up with uterine rupture? I don't.

I know there are risks from every drug, but when there is a huge bolded warning on the drug's label that says "Do not use this for induction!" I think you have to be kind of insane to ignore it.

STAR15

I was induced with it (actually misoprostol - the generic form).  I had to be induced unexpectedly because LO was having heart decelerations, and that's what they gave me to get things started.  I naively thought it was the same as Cervadil and I was just reading today about it being an ulcer drug.

I didn't have any problems with it per se.  They had me lie in bed for an hour after it was inserted.  It was pretty much painless and thinned me out.  I only had one dose because LO had some more heart decels, then they moved me on to a foley bulb and eventually pitocin.

bluejayway

gtown_bride:

It's not just that Cytotec isn't recommended/indicated for induction. There is actually a black box warning on the label that says it should NOT be used for induction. Personally, I would not consent to it. I've talked to my doctor about it, and he said he's fine with my decision. I also talked to my doula about it and she agreed with me 100% and said it was good that I was informed. I'm sure it works fine most of the time, but do you want to be in that small percentage who ends up with uterine rupture? I don't.

I know there are risks from every drug, but when there is a huge bolded warning on the drug's label that says "Do not use this for induction!" I think you have to be kind of insane to ignore it.

I personally also wouldn't agree to being induced with Cytotec. Exactly what this PP said. All drugs have risks, but Cytotec was not made for inducing labor (in Ina May's book she discusses this at length--including the fact that many doctors use far too high of dosage without realizing it), and I would not want to risk being in that percentage of women where it goes horribly wrong. BUT, as long as you are informed and know the risks and have talked to your doctor, you should do whatever you feel comfortable with. 

Perhaps you could ask if there are any alternatives. Like why can they not use Cervadil in your case? Good luck with your decision, and I hope you have a safe and happy delivery!