Dinoprostone Inserts

Pronunciation: DYE-noe-PROST-one
Generic Name: Dinoprostone
Brand Name: Cervidil

Dinoprostone Inserts are used for:

Inducing labor in pregnant women at or near term.

Dinoprostone Inserts are a prostaglandin. It works by causing softening and dilation of the cervix.

Do NOT use Dinoprostone Inserts if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Dinoprostone Inserts


• there is evidence of distress to the fetus when labor is not occurring naturally


• you have had unexplained vaginal bleeding during this pregnancy


• the fetus' head is too large to deliver through the vagina


• prolonged contractions may injure the fetus or the uterus


• you have had a cesarean delivery or major uterine surgery


• you have given birth 6 or more times


• you are already receiving an intravenous (IV) medicine to induce labor


• your doctor has said that you should not use medicines that induce labor

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Dinoprostone Inserts:

Some medical conditions may interact with Dinoprostone Inserts. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have vaginal bleeding, glaucoma, or a history of asthma, including childhood asthma


• if you have a history of uterine surgery, abnormal uterine contractions, or difficult labor or delivery


• if you are having contractions


• if you have ruptured membranes, the baby is not positioned correctly, or if the positioning of the placenta or umbilical blood vessels is abnormal

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Dinoprostone Inserts. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• An IV medicine to induce labor (eg, oxytocin) because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Dinoprostone Inserts

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Dinoprostone Inserts may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Dinoprostone Inserts:

Use Dinoprostone Inserts as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Dinoprostone Inserts are usually inserted vaginally at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.


• Remain lying down for 2 hours after Dinoprostone Inserts are placed in the vagina.


• You may get up after 2 hours unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If you do get up and move around, be certain that Dinoprostone Inserts stays in place. If it comes out, contact your doctor right away.


• Only 1 dose of Dinoprostone Inserts are required.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Dinoprostone Inserts.

Important safety information:

• Certain blood clotting and bleeding problems may occur after giving birth (postpartum disseminated intravascular coagulation [DIC]). The risk may be greater in women over 30 years old, those who have had complications during pregnancy, and those who carried the child for longer than 40 weeks. Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms such as unusual or persistent bleeding (eg, from the mouth, nose, rectum, IV site), unusual bruising, chest pain, shortness of breath, or decreased urine. Check with your doctor for more information.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Dinoprostone Inserts are intended to induce labor in pregnant women. It may cause fetal harm or death if used at other times during pregnancy. It is unknown if Dinoprostone Inserts are excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Dinoprostone Inserts, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Dinoprostone Inserts:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. No COMMON side effects have been reported with Dinoprostone Inserts. Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); severe stomach or pelvic pain.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Dinoprostone side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Dinoprostone Inserts:

Dinoprostone Inserts are usually handled and stored by a health care provider. Keep Dinoprostone Inserts out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Dinoprostone Inserts, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Dinoprostone Inserts are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Dinoprostone Inserts. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Dinoprostone resources

• Dinoprostone Side Effects (in more detail)
• Dinoprostone Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Dinoprostone Drug Interactions
• Dinoprostone Support Group
• 2 Reviews for Dinoprostone - Add your own review/rating

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