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A Relative Bioavailability Study of Two Misoprostol Formulations Following a Single Oral or Sublingual Administration

Amini, Mahdi LU ; Reis, Margareta LU and Wide-Swensson, Dag LU (2020) In Frontiers in Pharmacology 11.
Abstract

Introduction: Misoprostol (Cytotec) was primarily made for treating gastric ulcers. However today it is mostly used for abortion, treating postpartum hemorrhage, and for induction of labor. The tablet contains 200 µg of misoprostol, yet the dosages used for induction of labor are much smaller (25–50 µg), leading to uncertainty of dosage in daily use. Aim: To evaluate and compare the relative bioavailability of two misoprostol products (Angusta 25 µg and Cytotec 200 µg tablets) administered orally or sublingually given in a daily clinical setting to women admitted for induction of labor at term. Methods: Women carrying a live, singleton fetus in a cephalic position and with a gestational age between 259 and 296 days were included. Blood... (More)

Introduction: Misoprostol (Cytotec) was primarily made for treating gastric ulcers. However today it is mostly used for abortion, treating postpartum hemorrhage, and for induction of labor. The tablet contains 200 µg of misoprostol, yet the dosages used for induction of labor are much smaller (25–50 µg), leading to uncertainty of dosage in daily use. Aim: To evaluate and compare the relative bioavailability of two misoprostol products (Angusta 25 µg and Cytotec 200 µg tablets) administered orally or sublingually given in a daily clinical setting to women admitted for induction of labor at term. Methods: Women carrying a live, singleton fetus in a cephalic position and with a gestational age between 259 and 296 days were included. Blood samples were collected at 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 75, 100, 120, 180, and 240 minutes. A serum analytical assay was performed and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. Patients were assigned to one of three groups. Results: A total of 72 patients were included. No significant differences demographic characteristics were found. The ratios for AUC, AUC (0−t), and Cmax were similar in all three groups, but CI-values were outside the required 80–125%. Sublingual administration yielded a 20–30% higher bioavailability and a 50% higher Cmax than compared to the oral route. Conclusion: The relative bioavailability between Angusta and Cytotec could not be confirmed as being equal at the 25 µg or 50 µg level because the 90% CI-values when comparing the ratios for AUC, AUC(0−t), and Cmax were wider than accepted. The reason for this could be the real-life, non-standardized circumstances in which the study was conducted. Sublingual administration seems to have higher bioavailability than oral administration. More studies are needed to ascertain an optimal dosage regime balancing both safety and efficacy for mother and child. 

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
human, induction of labor, misoprostol, pharmacokinetics, pregnancy
in
Frontiers in Pharmacology
volume
11
article number
50
publisher
Frontiers Media S. A.
external identifiers
  • pmid:32116725
  • scopus:85081074239
ISSN
1663-9812
DOI
10.3389/fphar.2020.00050
project
Induction of labour - pharmacokinetics, risk factors for cesarean section and implementation of an outpatient regime
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
e41bcff6-a2c9-4da2-a8d0-f11a763d6a99
date added to LUP
2020-03-18 16:25:26
date last changed
2024-05-29 10:08:11
@article{e41bcff6-a2c9-4da2-a8d0-f11a763d6a99,
  abstract     = {{<p>Introduction: Misoprostol (Cytotec) was primarily made for treating gastric ulcers. However today it is mostly used for abortion, treating postpartum hemorrhage, and for induction of labor. The tablet contains 200 µg of misoprostol, yet the dosages used for induction of labor are much smaller (25–50 µg), leading to uncertainty of dosage in daily use. Aim: To evaluate and compare the relative bioavailability of two misoprostol products (Angusta 25 µg and Cytotec 200 µg tablets) administered orally or sublingually given in a daily clinical setting to women admitted for induction of labor at term. Methods: Women carrying a live, singleton fetus in a cephalic position and with a gestational age between 259 and 296 days were included. Blood samples were collected at 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 75, 100, 120, 180, and 240 minutes. A serum analytical assay was performed and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. Patients were assigned to one of three groups. Results: A total of 72 patients were included. No significant differences demographic characteristics were found. The ratios for AUC, AUC (<sub>0−t</sub>), and C<sub>max</sub> were similar in all three groups, but CI-values were outside the required 80–125%. Sublingual administration yielded a 20–30% higher bioavailability and a 50% higher C<sub>max</sub> than compared to the oral route. Conclusion: The relative bioavailability between Angusta and Cytotec could not be confirmed as being equal at the 25 µg or 50 µg level because the 90% CI-values when comparing the ratios for AUC, AUC<sub>(0−t)</sub>, and C<sub>max</sub> were wider than accepted. The reason for this could be the real-life, non-standardized circumstances in which the study was conducted. Sublingual administration seems to have higher bioavailability than oral administration. More studies are needed to ascertain an optimal dosage regime balancing both safety and efficacy for mother and child. </p>}},
  author       = {{Amini, Mahdi and Reis, Margareta and Wide-Swensson, Dag}},
  issn         = {{1663-9812}},
  keywords     = {{human; induction of labor; misoprostol; pharmacokinetics; pregnancy}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{02}},
  publisher    = {{Frontiers Media S. A.}},
  series       = {{Frontiers in Pharmacology}},
  title        = {{A Relative Bioavailability Study of Two Misoprostol Formulations Following a Single Oral or Sublingual Administration}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00050}},
  doi          = {{10.3389/fphar.2020.00050}},
  volume       = {{11}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}