Does use of oxytocin and dinoprostone inserts shorten labor more than use of oxytocin after removal of dinoprostone?
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OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare the effect of vaginal administration of misoprostol (Cytotec) with that of dinoprostone (Cervidil) on cervical ripening and labor induction. STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred patients with indications for induction of labor and unfavorable cervical examinations were randomly assigned to receive vaginally administered misoprostol (prostaglandin E1) or the dinoprostone (prostaglandin E2) vaginal insert. Twenty-five microgram tablets of misoprostol were placed in the posterior vaginal fornix every 4 hours for a maximum of six doses. Additional misoprostol was not given after either spontaneous rupture of membranes, adequate cervical ripening (Bishop score of > or = 8 or cervical dilatation of > or = 3 cm), or beginning of active labor. The vaginal insert, Cervidil, containing 10 mg of dinoprostone in a timed-release preparation was placed in the posterior vaginal formix for a maximum period of 24 hours. The vaginal insert was removed for spontaneous rupture of membranes, entry into active labor, adequate cervical ripening, or abnormality of uterine contractile pattern or fetal cardiac activity. RESULTS: Of the 200 patients enrolled, 99 were randomized to misoprostol and 101 to dinoprostone. The average interval from start of induction to vaginal delivery was 1 hour shorter in the misoprostol group (1296.7 +/- 722.1 minutes) than in the dinoprostone group (1360.0 +/- 792.0 minutes), but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.97). Oxytocin augmentation of labor was used in 50 (50.5%) misoprostol-treated patients and 43 (43.5%) dinoprostone-treated patients (relative risk 1.14, 95% confidence interval 0.86 to 1.51, p = 0.35). There were no significant differences between routes of delivery with misoprostol or dinoprostone. Overall, 38 patients (19.3%) had cesarean deliveries. There was a significantly lower prevalence of tachysystole (six or more uterine contractions in a 10-minute window for two consecutive 10-minute periods) in the misoprostol group (7.1%) than in the dinoprostone group (18.4%) (relative risk 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.31 to 0.89, p = 0.02). There were no significant differences in frequency of uterine hyperstimulation or hypertonus. Abnormal fetal heart rate tracings were found in 23 (23.2%) of misoprostol-treated patients and 35 (35.7%) of dinoprostone-treated patients (relative risk 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.52 to 1.01, p = 0.0546). No significant differences were found in meconium passage, 1- or 5-minute Apgar scores < 7, neonatal resuscitations, or admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginally administered misoprostol is as effective as dinoprostone for cervical ripening and the induction of labor. Mean time intervals to delivery, need for oxytocin augmentation, and routes of delivery were similar between the two groups. Incidence of uterine tachysystole with misoprostol every 4 hours was significantly less than with dinoprostone.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of oral and vaginal misoprostol compared with the standard regimen using dinoprostone for induction of labor. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, randomized controlled trial in Cape Town, South Africa. A total of 573 women admitted for induction of labor were randomized to receive oral misoprostol, vaginal misoprostol, or the control, dinoprostone. Misoprostol was given orally or vaginally as a 50-microg dose at 6-hour intervals to a maximum of four doses. The dinoprostone gel was given as a 1-mg dose in the posterior fornix every 6 hours (maximum two doses). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in vaginal delivery rate in 24 hours between the vaginal misoprostol and dinoprostone groups. However, significantly fewer women delivered vaginally in the oral misoprostol group compared with those in the dinoprostone group (relative risk 0.71, 99% confidence interval 0.51, 0.99). The median induction to vaginal delivery time in the vaginal misoprostol, oral misoprostol, and dinoprostone groups was 12 hours, 23 hours, and 14 hours, respectively. The cesarean rate was approximately 33% in all the groups. There were more cesareans performed for fetal distress in the vaginal misoprostol group compared with the dinoprostone group (relative risk 2.86, 99% confidence interval 1.49, 5.46). There was a higher incidence of tachysystole in the vaginal misoprostol group (5.8%) compared with the other two groups: oral misoprostol (0.8%) and dinoprostone (0.8%), but this difference was not statistically significant. There were no differences in maternal or fetal complications. CONCLUSION: Vaginal misoprostol is as effective as dinoprostone in induction of labor, but it is associated with more tachysystole and cesarean sections for fetal distress compared with dinoprostone. Oral misoprostol results in fewer vaginal deliveries in 24 hours, but it is not associated with increased tachysystole or fetal distress.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety, efficacy, and costs of intravaginal misoprostol versus dinoprostone vaginal inserts for cervical ripening and labor induction. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-three labor induction patients were assigned randomly to one of two treatment groups: 1) intravaginal misoprostol or 2) dinoprostone vaginal inserts. Fifty micrograms of misoprostol were placed in the posterior vaginal fornix every 3 hours for a maximum period of 24 hours. Ten milligrams of dinoprostone was administered in a single application as a vaginal insert for 12 hours. RESULTS: Among 223 patients evaluated, 108 were allocated to the misoprostol group and 115 to the dinoprostone group. The median interval from induction to vaginal delivery was significantly shorter in the misoprostol group: 698 (range 395-1053) versus 1041 (range 792-1531) minutes (P < .001). Vaginal delivery within 12 hours of ripening occurred in 40.7% of patients who received misoprostol compared with 19.1% for those receiving dinoprostone (P < .001); no significant difference between the groups was noted for vaginal delivery within 24 hours. Uterine tachysystole occurred more frequently in patients in the misoprostol group (21.3%) than in the dinoprostone group (7.0%) (P = .004). Nevertheless, no statistically significant differences were noted between the groups with respect to intrapartum complications, including uterine hyperstimulation, mode of delivery, and neonatal or maternal adverse outcomes. The average cost per patient for misoprostol treatment was $85 compared with $606 for treatment with the vaginal insert. CONCLUSION: Intravaginal misoprostol and the dinoprostone vaginal insert appear to be safe agents for cervical ripening and labor induction. However, misoprostol is less expensive and more effective than the dinoprostone vaginal insert.
It was accomplished a random comparative study to evaluate the effects of dinoprostone in the Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia No. 60 of the Mexican Institute of the Social Security, from June of 1997 to December of the same year, in relationship to the inducement cervical repening and vaginal delivery in patients with score less than or equal Bishop to 4. They were studied a total of 156 patients split into two groups: 78 patients who were administered by intracervical gel of Dinoprostone and to the remainders 78 were administered oxitocin with the same purpose, being this last the control group. We found that the duration time of induction with dinoprostone is 2 hours in average less than the inducement with oxitocin (p > 0.05). The were achieved 67 deliveries with dinoprostone and 65 deliveries with oxitocina, being not significantly. (p < 0.05) The percentage of inducement defect was considered in relationship to the absence of cervical modifications in 12 hours of administration of dinoprostone or oxitocin, being only 3 patients in each group in these conditions. The observed complications were the same in both groups and the conditions of the newborn were better in the Dinoprostone group. The septic complications of mothers were smaller in Dinoprostone group than Oxitocin group and were significantly (p > 0.05). We can conclude that the dinoprostone intracervical application reduce the induction and expulsion time, with better conditions of the new born, and less percent of infectious complications, in relationship to the Oxitocin control group.
OBJECTIVE: To compare extra-amniotic saline infusion to intracervical dinoprostone gel for preinduction cervical ripening. METHODS: Women with Bishop scores less than 5 were assigned randomly to either extra-amniotic saline infusion (n = 26) or intracervical dinoprostone gel (n = 26) for preinduction cervical ripening. A sample size of 50 would have 80% power to detect a 10-hour difference in the mean time from start of cervical ripening to delivery for the two methods of intervention, with a type I error of .05. RESULTS: The study populations were similar in age, gestational age, and initial Bishop score. They differed in parity, with 22 nulliparas in the extra-amniotic saline infusion group versus 13 in the dinoprostone gel group (relative risk [RR] 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11, 2.57). The number of women achieving a favorable Bishop score at 6 hours was greater with extra-amniotic saline infusion (n = 20) than dinoprostone gel (n = 9) (RR 2.14, 95% CI 1.22, 3.75). Mean time from start of ripening to delivery was 25.9 hours with extra-amniotic saline infusion and 30.2 hours with dinoprostone gel (P = .25). Birth weight, Apgar scores, umbilical artery pH, and infectious morbidity were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: More women achieved a favorable Bishop score at 6 and 12 hours after the start of cervical ripening with extra-amniotic saline infusion compared with dinoprostone gel. Saline infusion is as safe as dinoprostone gel for preinduction cervical ripening.
OBJECTIVE: To systematically review published randomized trials that compared efficacy of a 10-mg, controlled-release dinoprostone vaginal insert with other prostaglandins for cervical ripening and labor induction. DATA SOURCES: We supplemented a search of entries in electronic databases with references cited in original studies and review articles to identify randomized clinical trials of dinoprostone vaginal inserts for cervical ripening and labor induction. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: We evaluated, abstracted data, and assessed the quality of randomized clinical trials on the efficacy of dinoprostone vaginal inserts as cervical ripening and labor induction agents. Only published randomized trials were included in this meta-analysis. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Seventeen studies were identified, eight of which met our criteria for metaanalysis. Those eight trials included 964 subjects, 490 of whom were allocated to dinoprostone vaginal inserts and 474 to other prostaglandin (PG) preparations. We calculated an estimate of the odds ratio (OR) and risk difference for dichotomous outcomes, using a random- and fixed-effects model. Continuous outcomes were pooled using a variance-weighted average of within-study difference in means. Compared with women who received other PG preparations, those who received dinoprostone vaginal inserts had lower incidence of vaginal delivery within 12 hours of PG application (OR 0.55, 95% confidence interval 0.39, 0.79). Vaginal inserts were associated with longer intervals to vaginal delivery and lower rates of active labor. There were no differences in cesarean delivery rates, incidence of hyperstimulation, or need for oxytocin augmentation between dinoprostone and other PGs. CONCLUSION: Dinoprostone vaginal insert was less effective than other prostaglandins for cervical ripening and labor induction.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of one single dose of 50 pg misoprostol to one single dose of 3 mg dinoprostone administered vaginally for pre-induction cervical ripening in term-pregnant women, who had indications for induction of labor with unripe cervices. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized double-blind controlled trial. SETTING: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Medical College and Vajira Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. SUBJECTS: One hundred and forty-three singleton pregnant women of > or = 37 weeks of gestation, who had indications for termination of pregnancy. All patients had a Bishop score of 0-6, without contraindications for labor induction. INTERVENTION: The subjects were stratified by parity to nullipara and multipara group. The subjects in each stratum were allocated by randomization to receive a single dose of 50 microg misoprostol or 3 mg dinoprostone, administered vaginally. Twenty-four hours after medication, oxytocin augmentation was given to both groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The Bishop score of cervix at 24 hours after insertion of the studied drugs, the occurrence of abnormal uterine contraction, and the number of vaginal deliveries within 24, 48 hours. RESULTS: The demographic data and the initial Bishop score (median score 3.5 versus 4.0) were comparable in both groups. The change of score at 24 hours was one unit higher in misoprostol-treated patients compared with dinoprostone-treated patients (mean change score 6.5 versus 5.5, with 95 per cent CI 0.04 to 2.1, p=0.042) but was not of clinical importance. There was a higher frequency of hyperstimulation syndrome in the misoprostol group (6.9% vs 0%) during 8 hours of cervical ripening. Although the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.058), it was clinically important. Comparing vaginal deliveries between the misoprostol and dinoprostone groups, the frequencies of delivery within 24 hours were 46.3 per cent versus 35.7 per cent (p=0.350), and within 48 hours were 88.9 per cent versus 89.3 per cent (p>0.05), non-significantly different. No significant differences were noted between misoprostol and dinoprostone in terms of interval from start of medication to vaginal delivery and neonatal outcomes. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of a single 50 microg dose of vaginally administered misoprostol, is not clinically different to 3 mg dinoprostone in cervical ripening. Although the study was not sufficiently large to detect the differences in abnormal uterine contractions between the two groups, there was a higher frequency of hyperstimulation syndrome in the misoprostol group compared to the dinoprostone group. Close utero-fetal monitoring in misoprostol-treated patients is needed.
AIM: To determine the effects of pineal body and melatonin (Mel) on lymphocyte proliferation and dinoprostone production in rat spleen. METHODS: Pinealectomy (PE), lymphocyte proliferation assay and dinoprostone radioimmunoassay were used. RESULTS: A circadian rhythm of splenic lymphocyte proliferation which peaked at 22:00 was obliterated by PE in rats. PE led to an impairment of lymphocyte proliferation and an increase of dinoprostone production, which were restored by ip Mel 10 micrograms.kg-1.d-1 at 16:00 for 7 d. Mel promoted lymphocyte proliferation and inhibited dinoprostone production in intact rats. A negative correlation between the change in lymphocyte proliferation and dinoprostone production was seen. CONCLUSION: The pineal body and its main hormone Mel play a regulatory role in circadian lymphocyte proliferation which is related to dinoprostone production in rat spleen.
We investigated the effect of preinduction cervical ripening with the intracervical instillation of dinoprostone (prostaglandin E2 gel, 0.5 mg) on the results of labor induced with intravenous oxytocin. We randomly allocated 79 pregnant women to receive either the intracervial application of dinoprostone gel or placebo gel. Compared with control subjects, the group who received dinoprostone had no difference in induction-to-delivery interval or in cesarean section rate. The dinoprostone group had fewer failed inductions, but there was no difference between the two groups in the number who delivered spontaneously within 24 hours. From review of the literature and a meta-analysis, it was likewise revealed that dinoprostone did not favorably affect the cesarean section rate. Contrary to current opinion, intracervical dinoprostone gel does not appreciably lower the cesarean section rate when used at this dose and route before labor is induced.
The mechanism of inclusion compound formation by dinoprostone (prostaglandin E2) with beta-cyclodextrin was studied by phase solubility analysis and PMR spectroscopy. As indicated by the linear increase of aqueous solubility of dinoprostone with beta-cyclodextrin concentration, some types of molecular interactions definitely exist between dinoprostone and the complexing ligands. The temperature dependence of a 1:1 complex formation constant yielded the following thermodynamic data at 20 degrees : deltaG degrees = -4.11 kcal/mole, deltaH degrees = 7.20 kcal/mole, and deltaS degrees = 10.5 e.u. Since water was the solvent system, these parameters appear to be largely determined by solvent reorganization through hydrogen bonding rather than solely by the binding of desolvated free dinoprostone and beta-cyclodextrin entities. PMR data indicate that dinoprostone is included within the cavity and also interacts with protons on the exterior of the beta-cyclodextrin molecule. A model consisting of a 1:1 complex, in which a dinoprostone molecule is partially included within the cavity and the remainder of the molecule extends around the edge of the opening of the cavity to the exterior of the beta-cyclodextrin molecule, is proposed as the most probable structure of this inclusion compound.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if cervical ripening with the prostaglandin E2 analogue dinoprostone effectively shortens the induction-to-delivery interval in midpregnancy terminations with sulprostone. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively studied 100 women admitted for pregnancy termination at midgestation because of fetal anomalies between September 1989 and January 1993. Three regimens were used: 27 women received intramuscular sulprostone only, 29 women received intravenous sulprostone only, and 44 women received intravenous sulprostone after cervical priming with dinoprostone. Wilcoxon's rank sum test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Dinoprostone priming did not significantly reduce the induction-to-delivery interval in either parous or nulliparous women. However, when divided into first and subsequent pregnancies, we found that primigravidae, but not multigravidae, had an induction-to-delivery interval that was significantly shorter by approximately 10.5 h when pretreated with dinoprostone. CONCLUSION: Dinoprostone priming of the cervix prior to termination of midgestation pregnancy with sulprostone (Nalador) effectively shortens the induction-to-delivery interval in women in their first pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE: To compare dinoprostone 10 mg controlled-release vaginal insert with other forms of vaginal or cervical prostaglandin for cervical ripening. DATA SOURCES: Literature search strategy included review of the Cochrane database of randomized trials, on-line searching of MEDLINE, hand searching of bibliographies, and contact with authors of relevant reports. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Randomized trials were included if they compared a dinoprostone slow-release vaginal insert with an alternative vaginal or cervical prostaglandin for cervical ripening and labor induction in women at term with singleton gestations. Primary end points were delivery by 24 hours postinsertion, uterine hypertonus with fetal heart change, and cesarean delivery rate. Study inclusion, validity assessment, and data extraction were carried out independently by two reviewers, and cross-checked for consistency. Data were combined when appropriate, using the Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effects method. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using chi-square statistics. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Nine relevant trials were identified, seven comparing the dinoprostone 10 mg vaginal insert with dinoprostone gel and two with misoprostol. Five trials reported adequate methods for randomization concealment. None were double blind. The likelihood of delivery by 24 hours was similar with the vaginal insert and alternatives: common odds ratio (OR) 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56, 1.15). Uterine hypertonus with change in fetal heart and cesarean delivery rate were also similar: common OR 1.19 (95% CI 0.56, 2.54) and 0.78 (95% CI 0.56, 1.08), respectively. The secondary end points of mean time to delivery and delivery by 12 hours appeared to favor misoprostol-dinoprostone gel. However, data for these end points were heterogeneous and their combination is therefore of limited value and potentially misleading. CONCLUSION: No clinically significant differences were identified between the vaginal insert and alternatives used for cervical ripening at term.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy and safety of misoprostol in the induction of labor at term by comparing this agent with the commonly used dinoprostone gel. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized clinical trial of vaginal misoprostol, 50 microg 6-hourly, and dinoprostone gel, 1-2 mg 6-hourly, in 435 women undergoing induction of labor at term. The women, 210 in the misoprostol group and 225 in the dinoprostone group, were compared to determine whether there was a significant difference in achieving vaginal delivery within 24 h, the incidence of hyperstimulation syndrome, Cesarean section rate and adverse neonatal outcome. They were also offered the option of preinduction sonographic cervical assessment. RESULTS: Misoprostol, compared to dinoprostone gel, was associated with a significantly shorter median induction-to-delivery interval (14.6 h vs. 19.0 h; P = 0.0014), a higher incidence of vaginal delivery within 24 h of induction (65.7% vs. 54.2%; P = 0.019) and a reduced need for oxytocin augmentation during labor (20.5% vs. 29.8%; P = 0.034). The groups did not differ significantly in the rates of Cesarean section (18.1% vs. 19.1%; P = 0.88) and hyperstimulation syndrome (2.4% vs. 0.9%; P = 0.27). None of the cases of hyperstimulation required treatment with tocolysis. All nine cases of excessive uterine contractility occurred after the first dose of the drug. There were no significant differences in maternal and neonatal morbidity between the two groups. There was a significant association between preinduction cervical length and the induction-to-delivery interval in both those receiving misoprostol and those treated with dinoprostone. CONCLUSIONS: The use of misoprostol is associated with a shorter duration of labor and a higher rate of vaginal delivery within 24 h from induction without an increase in maternal and neonatal morbidity. Transvaginal sonographic measurement of cervical length is useful in the prediction of the likelihood of vaginal delivery within 24 h of induction and of the induction-to-delivery interval and may be useful in the stratification of patients participating in randomized studies that examine the effectiveness of inducing agents.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the concurrent administration of oxytocin with sustained-release dinoprostone results in shorter induction times when compared with oxytocin after the removal of the dinoprostone insert. STUDY DESIGN: Women with singleton pregnancies at > or = 36 weeks, vertex presentations, reactive nonstress tests, no prior uterine scar, intact membranes, and Bishop scores of < or = 6 were randomly assigned to receive oxytocin either immediately after placement of a sustained-release dinoprostone insert (immediate) or 30 minutes after its removal (delayed). The primary outcome was the time interval from induction to delivery. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were enrolled (immediate, 34 patients; delayed, 37 patients). There were no differences between treatment groups in non-reassuring fetal heart tracings, excess uterine activity, and epidural use. The mean time from dinoprostone placement until delivery was 544 minutes, shorter in the immediate group (972 vs 1516 minutes; P =.001). The proportion of deliveries within 24 hours was higher (90% vs 53%; P =.002) in the immediate group. Cesarean delivery rates were similar between the immediate and delayed groups (16% vs 13%; P =.73). No adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes were observed with concurrent therapy. CONCLUSION: Oxytocin that is administered concurrently with sustained-release dinoprostone significantly shortens induction-to-delivery times and results in a higher proportion of vaginal deliveries of < or = 24 hours with no apparent adverse effects.
BACKGROUND: Misoprostol, a prostaglandin E1 analog registered for the prevention of gastric ulcers in NSAID-drug users, has been reported to be more effective for labor induction than the standard prostaglandin, dinoproston after vaginal application. There have been some concerns about possible hyperstimulation of the uterine activity and about the safety for the fetus with this new drug. METHODS: Two hundred and ten patients, 36 weeks pregnant or more, with an unfavorable cervix, single pregnancy, and intact membranes were randomized to receive misoprostol, 50 micrograms intravaginally every 6 hours, or dinoproston 0.5 mg intracervically every 12 hours for a maximum of 24 hours, for labor induction. RESULTS: Time from induction to delivery was shorter in both primigravidae and multigravidae after the application of misoprostol than dinoproston and failed induction was more common after dinoproston than after misoprostol. There were no differences in the condition of the newborns in the two groups, according to Apgar score, umbilical artery pH or referral to the neonatal unit, even if there were more operative deliveries for suspected fetal asphyxia after misoprostol than after dinoproston. We did not find any significant difference in the frequency of uterine hyperstimulation between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In the dosage used, misoprostol seems to be an effective agent for induction of labor in patients with an unfavorable cervix. Low cost and ease of administration make this drug a promising alternative for this purpose. Surprisingly, there is little interest from the manufacturer to promote the use of this drug for labor induction.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of intravaginal misoprostol (Cytotec) to intracervical dinoprostone (Prepidil) for pre-induction cervical ripening. METHODS: Sixty-one patients admitted for induction of labor, whose cervices were unfavorable (Bishop score: 4), were randomly assigned to either intravaginal placement of a 50 micrograms misoprostol tablet or intracervical administration of dinoprostone gel. RESULTS: Eighteen women (56%) in the misoprostol group and five (17%) in the dinoprostone group achieved cervical ripening within 12 hours (P = 0.007). Fewer doses of misoprostol were required to achieve cervical ripening, and the interval from induction of labor to delivery was shorter in the misoprostol group. Sixteen patients (50%) in the misoprostol group required oxytocin, whereas 26 (90%) in the dinoprostone group required oxytocin augmentation (P = 0.008). There was no significant difference in mode of delivery or neonatal outcome between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Vaginal misoprostol appears to be a more effective cervical ripening agent than cervical dinoprostone.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravaginal misoprostol and dinoprostone for labor induction. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred eighty-nine women with singleton term pregnancies and unfavorable cervices were randomly assigned to receive intravaginal misoprostol or dinoprostone. The outcome variables were change in Bishop score, time from application to active phase of labor and delivery, fetal and maternal morbidity, and the incidence of cesarean deliveries. RESULTS: The interval from application of the initial dose to the beginning of the active phase of labor was 9.8 +/- 5.8 and 14.2 +/- 10.2 hours (P <.01), and the interval from initial dose to delivery was 15.3 +/- 9.8 and 19.1 +/- 13.2 hours (P =.027) for the misoprostol and dinoprostone groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in Bishop score change, cesarean delivery rate, and the incidence of tachysystole, hypersystole, and hyperstimulation. No maternal and neonatal adverse effects were noted. CONCLUSION: Intravaginal misoprostol is more effective than intravaginal dinoprostone for labor induction in low-risk patients at term with unfavorable cervices.