Comparison of the efficacy and safety of sublingual misoprostol with that of vaginal misoprostol for labour induction at term.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of 50 mcg of sublingual misoprostol with 25 mcg of vaginal misoprostol for induction of labour at term.

Method: Non blinded randomized prospective control study. 200 women with singleton term pregnancy, admitted for induction of labour, were randomized to receive either 25 mcg of vaginal misoprostol or 50 mcg of sublingual misoprostol. Outcome measures compared were the number of vaginal deliveries, induction-delivery interval, caesarean section for foetal distress, oxytocin for acceleration, number of doses required, side effects and neonatal outcome.

Result: Mean dose was smaller and induction to delivery interval was significantly shorter in the sublingual group (13.1 ± 4.1 h) compared with the vaginal group (17.9 ± 5.4 h), p value 0.001. There were no statistically significant differences in the other secondary outcome measures.

Conclusion: 50 mcg of sublingual misoprostol was more effective than and as safe as 25 mcg vaginal misoprostol for labour induction at term.