Before I begin this post, which I plan to be an all encompassing location to get all the information you ever needed about Cytotec, I thought I would post this link from ACOG:
ACOG Committee Opinion No. 342: induction of labor for vaginal birth after cesarean delivery.
Quote:
“Selecting women most likely to give birth vaginally and avoiding the sequential use of prostaglandins and oxytocin appear to offer the lowest risks. Misoprostol should not be used in patients who have had cesarean deliveries or major uterine surgery.”
WARNING
If you have a scar on your Uterus, DO NOT let anyone put a Cytotec tablet on your cervix!!! Have your husband or birth partner watch closely during each vaginal exam to see if the birth attendent; nurse, doctor, or midwife places a little tablet on the tip of their glove before doing a vaginal exam. If they do, make them IMMEDIATELY stop what they are doing, Or, if they are really sneaky and do a vaginal exam during birth and all of a sudden your contractions become overwhelming and painful, demand to look at your birth records to see if someone put cytotec (Misoprostol) on your cervix without informed consent.
(And FYI, I have read about some home birth midwives using this drug during home births to speed things up.)
You now have grounds to sue your health care provider. And many families who have had women lose their lives, their uteruses, or their babes from a rupture are in fact doing just that.
Go Here and Here and Here.
I am not someone who believes in frivilous law suits. I would never encourage a family to “go after” a doctor for some silly reason. However, I believe the only way to get Cytotec banned from being used on womens bodies is for these lawsuits to move forward.
“Searle, the makers of Cytotec (misoprostol), issued a warning letter in August of 2000 and sent it to all abortion providers. In the interest of providing you with all the relevant information, here is a copy of that letter with important parts highlighted (You can also view this letter at the FDA website.)”
IMPORTANT DRUG WARNING CONCERNING UNAPPROVED USE OF INTRAVAGINAL OR ORAL MISOPROSTOL IN PREGNANT WOMEN FOR INDUCTION OF LABOR OR ABORTION
Dear Health Care Provider:
The purpose of this letter is to remind you that Cytotec administration by any route is contraindicated in women who are pregnant because it can cause abortion. Cytotec is not approved for the induction of labor or abortion.

Cytotec is indicated for the prevention of NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin)-induced gastric ulcers in patients at high risk of complications from gastric ulcer, e.g., the elderly and patients with concomitant debilitating disease, as well as patients at high risk of developing gastric ulceration, such as patients with a history of ulcer.
The uterotonic effect of Cytotec is an inherent property of prostaglandin E1(PGE1), of which Cytotec is stable, orally active, synthetic analog. Searle has become aware of some instances where Cytotec, outside of its approved indication, was used as a cervical ripening agent prior to termination of pregnancy, or for induction of labor, in spite of the specific contraindications to its use during pregnancy.
Serious adverse events reported following off-label use of Cytotec in pregnant women include maternal or fetal death; uterine hyperstimulation, rupture or perforation requiring uterine surgical repair, hysterectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy; amniotic fluid embolism; severe vaginal bleeding, retained placenta, shock, fetal bradycardia and pelvic pain.
Searle has not conducted research concerning the use of Cytotec for cervical ripening prior to termination of pregnancy or for induction of labor, nor does Searle intend to study or support these uses. Therefore, Searle is unable to provide complete risk information for Cytotec when it is used for such purposes. In addition to the known and unknown acute risks to the mother and fetus, the effect of Cytotec on the later growth, development and functional maturation of the child when Cytotec is used for induction of labor or cervical ripening has not been established.
Searle promotes the use of Cytotec only for its approved indication. Please read the enclosed updated complete Prescribing Information for Cytotec.
Further information may be obtained by calling 1-800-323-4204.
Michael Cullen, MD
Medical Director, U.S., Searle
More articles, studies, and insights:
Midwifery Today
Misoprostol
Mother Jones
Forced Labor
Marsden Wagner, MD, MSPH
Misoprostol (Cytotec) for Labor Induction: A Cautionary Tale
Gentle Birth
Pharmaceutical Induction – Pitocin and Cytotec (Misoprostol)
Cytotec (misoprostol) for Labor Induction Consumer Awareness
Online Petition
The Doctors are chatting about Cytotec at ACOGs chat room.
Homebirth UK
VBAC and Misoprostol
Induction Fact Sheet (PDF)
Preparing For Labor
No Cytotec for me!


Question: Why is this drug still being given to pregnant women?
Jenny Hatch