Does the route of administration of misoprostol make a difference?
OBJECTIVE: To compare the postpartum uterotonic effect and side effects of misoprostol administered by different routes. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty women were given misoprostol 400 microg either by the oral solution, oral tablet, rectal or vaginal route, or intramuscular syntometrine 1 ml after spontaneous vaginal delivery. Pre- and post-treatment uterine activity were measured with intrauterine pressure catheters. RESULTS: Uterine activity produced by oral solution misoprostol 400 microg was significantly higher than that of oral tablet, rectal and vaginal misoprostol (P = 0.004, 0.002, respectively). Onset of action after oral solution misoprostol was faster than by the oral tablet (P = 0.01), rectal (P < 0.001) and vaginal (P< 0.001) routes. Shivering and pyrexia were most common with oral solution misoprostol. Maximum body temperature recorded was significantly higher with oral solution misoprostol than with oral tablet, rectal and vaginal misoprostol (P = 0.009, 0.001, respectively). CON
