PROSTIN E2 Vaginal tablet Ref.[9746] Active ingredients: Dinoprostone

This product is only available to hospitals and clinics with specialised obstetric units and should only be used where 24-hour resident medical cover is provided.

Use caution in handling this product to prevent contact with skin. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after administration.

Caution should be exercised in the administration of Prostin E2 Vaginal Tablets for the induction of labour in patients with:

• asthma or a history of asthma
• epilepsy or a history of epilepsy
• glaucoma or raised intra-ocular pressure
• compromised cardiovascular, hepatic, or renal function
• hypertension.

As with any oxytocic agent, Prostin E2 Vaginal Tablets should be used with caution in patients with compromised (scarred) uteri.

In labour induction, cephalopelvic relationships should be carefully evaluated before use of Prostin E2 Vaginal Tablets. During use, uterine activity, foetal status and the progression of cervical dilation should be carefully monitored to detect possible evidence of undesired responses, e.g. hypertonus, sustained uterine contractions, or foetal distress.

In cases where there is a known history of hypertonic uterine contractility or tetanic uterine contractions, it is recommended that uterine activity and the state of the foetus (where applicable) should be continuously monitored throughout labour. The possibility of uterine rupture should be borne in mind where high-tone uterine contractions are sustained.

Women aged 35 years or older, those with complications during pregnancy and those with a gestational age over 40 weeks have been shown to have an increased risk of post-partum disseminated intravascular coagulation. In addition, these factors may further increase the risk associated with labour induction (see section 4.8). Therefore, in these women, use of dinoprostone should be undertaken with caution. Measures should be applied to detect as soon as possible an evolving fibrinolysis in the immediate post-partum phase.

Since it has been found that prostaglandins potentiate the effect of oxytocin, it is not recommended that these drugs are used together. If used in sequence, the patient’s uterine activity should be carefully monitored.

Pregnancy

Prostin E2 Vaginal Tablets are only used during pregnancy, to induce labour.

Breast-feeding

Prostaglandins are excreted in breast milk. This is not expected to be a hazard given the circumstances in which the product is used.

Not relevant.

Cardiac disorders: Cardiac arrest

Vascular disorders: Hypertension

Gastrointestinal disorders: Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting

General disorders and administration site conditions: Fever

Immune system disorders: Hypersensitivity reactions such as anaphylactoid reactions and anaphylactic reactions including anaphylactic shock.

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: Back pain

Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions:

Maternal-related conditions: Uterine hypertonus, uterine rupture, abruptio placenta, pulmonary amniotic fluid embolism, rapid cervical dilatation

Foetus-related conditions: Uterine hypercontractility with/without foetal bradycardia foetal distress/altered foetal heart rate (FHR)

Neonatal conditions: Neonatal distress, neonatal death, stillbirths, low Apgar score

Reproductive system and breast disorders: Warm feeling in vagina, irritation, pain

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: Asthma, bronchospasm

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Rash

Blood and lymphatic system disorders: An increased risk of post-partum disseminated intravascular coagulation has been described in patients whose labour was induced by pharmacological means, either with dinoprostone or oxytocin (see section 4.4). The frequency of this adverse event, however, appears to be rare (<1 per 1,000 labours).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Not applicable.