Alprostadil Alprostadil is used for two main purposes: the treatment of newborns with
congenital heart defects and in treatment of
erectile dysfunction. When injected into the base of the penis, alprostadil may cause penile pain, dizziness, headache, high blood pressure,
Peyronie disease, and burning at the injection site. When inserted into the urethra, alprostadil may cause urethral burning, penile pain, dizziness, headache, and urethral bleeding. When someone engages in vaginal sex after using an alprostadil urethral suppository, their partner may experience vaginal itching.
Misoprostol Misoprostol has a variety of uses in
obstetrics and gynecology. It is also used to relieve pain from duodenal ulcers when other treatments have been ineffective. Misoprostol can be used to
induce labor in patients at the end of pregnancy. It causes
cervical ripening, or the thinning and shortening of the
cervix in preparation for birth. It also causes uterine contractions, allowing the body to expel the baby. For this purpose, it is placed inside the vagina. Misoprostol is also used to prevent and treat postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), or uncontrolled bleeding following childbirth. The
World Health Organization estimates that PPH causes 70,000 maternal deaths each year. Misoprostol induces uterine contractions, encouraging the uterus to shrink after childbirth. This shrinking puts pressure on blood vessels on the uterus, forcing them to close rather than continue to bleed. To prevent PPH, misoprostol is given orally or dissolved under the tongue immediately after delivery. To treat PPH, it is given orally, dissolved under the tongue, or placed in the rectum. Misoprostol can also be used to induce termination of pregnancy. It can be used on its own or following administration of mifepristone. Misoprostol may be used to terminate a pregnancy; For first-trimester abortion, it is dissolved in the cheek or under the tongue; for later abortions, it can also be given as a vaginal suppository. Misoprostol may also be used to ripen the cervix in preparation for surgical abortion. Misoprostol is given orally for the treatment of ulcers. It interacts with prostaglandin receptors in the stomach to reduce secretion of
stomach acids. It increases the production of gastric mucus, which forms a protective coating against stomach acid. Finally, misoprostol encourages the production of
bicarbonate, which is a base that counteracts stomach acid. Misoprostol can cause nausea, stomach pain, and stomach cramps. In rare cases, it may lead to
uterine rupture, which requires immediate emergency surgery.
Other uses Prostanoids, including alprostadil, do not reduce the risk of limb amputation but may offer a slight improvement in rest-pain and leg ulcer healing in persons with critical limb ischemia. Preventative administration of alprostadil may reduce the risk of kidney injury (specifically contrast-induced nephropathy) in persons having cardiac angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention. Lubiprostone is a PGE1 derivative used to treat
chronic constipation. It is taken orally. == References ==