Cytotec – Unapproved Labor Drug Routenely Used is Killing Women and Children

Crying child

Doctors now induce labor in 1 out of 3 pregnant women in the U.S. with Cytotec, and the warning label for that drug clearly states “Do not take if you are pregnant”.  The results has been many dead or permanently disabled mothers and babies.

Cytotec is an ulcer medication often administered against-the-label to pregnant women to force them into premature labor without them even knowing it.  It is not approved for use on pregnant women and clearly says so on the label, yet in the United States a Cytotec induction has become a mainstream practice.  The patients are often not informed of the dangers and have no idea that they, and their babies, could end up dead or with permanent disabilities as a result of this drug.

cytotec-05The risk of uterine rupture after a c-section is 1 in 200 births and with a Cytotec induction it is 1 in 20 births. That’s a ten-fold increase!

The FDA’s Position on Cytotec Induction

The most recent warning from the FDA, issued May 2005 read as follows:

[quote align=”center” color=”#999999″]FDA ALERT: Risks of Use in Labor and Delivery

This Patient Information Sheet is for pregnant women who may receive misoprostol to soften their cervix or induce contractions to begin labor. Misoprostol is sometimes used to decrease blood loss after delivery of a baby. These uses are not approved by the FDA. No company has sent the FDA scientific proof that misoprostol is safe and effective for these uses.

There can be serious side effects, including a torn uterus (womb), when misoprostol is used for labor and delivery. A torn uterus may result in severe bleeding, having the uterus removed (hysterectomy), and death of the mother or baby. These side effects are more likely in women who have had previous uterine surgery, a previous Cesarean delivery (C-section), or several previous births.[/quote]

Pharmaceutical manufacturers of Cytotec are pushing for the approval of misoprostol (Cytotec) despite these warnings.

Cytotec: Being Used for Abortions and Causing Deformities

In addition to the against-the-label use of Cytotec to induce labor in pregnant women, it is also being used for abortions, and in many cases where Cytotec is used, it doesn’t work and causes deformities in the child instead.

A common deformity in children caused by Cytotec is called Aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp, which is characterized by the absence of a portion of skin:

Scalp DisorderIn a review of 30 studies on Cytotec (misoprostol) used for labor induction, of 3,415 births there were:

  • 14 baby deaths
  • 25 uterine ruptures
  • 2 maternal deaths
  • 2 life-threatening hemorrhages

Other serious side effects of Cytotec include:

  • hyperstimulation of the uterus
  • uteroplacental blood flow
  • uterine rupture (requiring surgical repair, hysterectomy, and/or salpingo-oophorectomy)
  • amniotic fluid embolism
  • pelvic pain
  • retained placenta
  • severe genital bleeding
  • shock
  • fetal bradycardia
  • fetal and maternal death
  • increased risk of uterine tachysystole
  • meconium staining of amniotic fluid
  • Cesarean delivery due to uterine hyperstimulation

One of the most startling facts about these studies is that the women in them were given an extremely small dose of only 25 mcg which is often given in far greater amounts during labor induction.  If it is approved, like any approved drug, there is nothing to prevent any doctor from using it in ANY dose, for ANY patient he or she chooses.  Absolutely terrifying!

We will finish with a very important comment made by Denise Easthon:

“…I disagree about one thing, it is NOT “off-label” use. That is when one drug is used for a purpose it was not intended for, and docs are allowed to do that for any drug. THIS particular drug is being used “AGAINST the LABEL” because there is a warning ON THE LABEL not to use with pregnant women….INCLUDING A PICTURE! I think it’s important to make this distinction so docs don’t say…well, we can use ANY drug off-label..it’s perfectly acceptable…THIS is NOT acceptable!!”

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